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• Information for Foreign Students

I am an international student. How can I stay in Canada after I graduate?

You may be able to stay in Canada if you are eligible for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

The PGWP is for graduates of eligible Canadian colleges and universities who have completed a program lasting at least 8 months.

Eligibility

To apply for the Work Permit,

• your study permit was valid after you completed your program,
• you apply within 180 days of confirmation that you have completed your program
• you maintained full-time status as a student in Canada during each semester of your study program
• you may study part-time during your final semester

Eligibility requirements are based on the type of study program, where you completed your program and what your field of study was.

Process

You must include the following documents with your application that prove you:

• completed your studies
• were enrolled in an eligible program
• have the language ability (if applicable)
• graduated in an eligible field of study (if applicable)
• completed a medical exam (if applicable)

Once you have gathered all the required documents, you can complete your application online.

You can work full-time until IRCC makes a decision on your work permit application if you meet their criteria.

For More Information

• Post-Graduation Work Permit – This webpage provides basic information about the Post-Graduation Work Permit and includes links to other important documents. From Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
• I am an international student. Can I apply for permanent residence? - An article from Settlement.Org that explains your options for permanent residence.
• Study In Ontario: International Students - Information for international students interested in attending a publicly assisted college or university in Ontario.
• IRCC Help Centre - A tool that helps answer frequently asked questions on immigration matters. It offers several ways to search the available information, including keyword search. From IRCC.