Is Your Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) Expiring Soon?

If your Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) is about to expire and you are worried about this, then this blog is for you. There are other options available to stay and work in Canada legally.

Permits to Work for Any Foreign National

1. Work Permit Under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program

Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) candidates are only permitted to work for the employer specified on the permit, making it an employer-specific or closed work permit. Obtaining a TFWP work permit is more difficult, but the requirements are more expansive. Foreign nationals of any nationality can apply for them, and they can be issued for most industries and occupations. Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) must provide a positive or neutral Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) for the employer to obtain a TFWP work permit.

2. Innovation Stream, Employer-Specific Work Permit

You may be eligible for an employer-specific work permit under the Innovation Stream if you have received an employment offer from an employer taking part in the Global Hypergrowth Project (GHP). Eight Canadian businesses that the government has recognized as innovators and leaders in their respective industries are part of GHP. An LMIA is not required for employment for qualified employees who have received a job offer from any of these eight companies. The companies are as follows:

1. Ada Support Inc.
2. AlayaCare
3. CellCarta
4. Clarius Mobile Health
5. Clio
6. Duchesnay Pharmaceutical Group (DPG)
7. Lightspeed Commerce
8. Vive Crop Protection

Work Permit Exemptions

Depending on the nature and duration of your employment, you might not require a work permit to work in Canada or may be exempt (work permit exempt) from one. In certain cases, foreign employees do not require a work permit. Examples include people with maintained status, business travellers, and public speakers (those who speak at events that last less than five days). Additionally, if a foreign national is working for an employer outside of the country, they do not require a work permit. For instance, if their employer is located outside of Canada, a foreign national may obtain a visitor visa (good for a maximum of six months at a time) and work remotely as a digital nomad in Canada. It is important to note that employment in Canada with an employer located outside the country will not be considered Canadian work experience for the purposes of permanent residence pathways.

Foreign Nationals from Specific Nations

Free Trade Agreements

Under the International Mobility Program (IMP), you may be eligible for a work permit if you are from a nation with which Canada has a free trade agreement. Citizens of partner nations may apply for special work permits under several free trade agreements with Canada. The Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) is one example. If your country has a free trade agreement with Canada, it is a good idea to find out if you are eligible for a work permit under the terms of that agreement.

International Experience Canada (IEC)

Young adults from nations can work for International Experience Canada (IEC) for a set amount of time, typically up to two years. IEC eligibility is based on age, usually between 18 and 35, though some nations have a 30-year-old age limit. IEC is divided into three primary categories.

Working Holiday: An open work permit that permits participants to work for any Canadian employer without requiring a job offer.

Young Professionals: Participants are bound by their employer and are granted a work permit specifically for those who have been offered a position in Canada.

International Co-op (internship): A work permit granted by an employer to post-secondary students who have been offered a position for an internship or placement in Canada.

To investigate your options for a work permit through IEC, it might be worthwhile to see if your nation and Canada have a bilateral youth mobility agreement.

For People from Iran

Certain citizens of certain nations are also granted special work permits by the Canadian government, depending on geopolitical considerations. A temporary public policy, for instance, allows certain Iranian nationals to apply for a special work permit even if they do not fit the requirements for a Canadian work permit. This policy is applicable to Iranians who arrived in Canada on or before February 28, 2025, and who are applying for a work permit, work permit extension, or initial study permit and who currently hold valid temporary resident status. The temporary public policy has been extended through February 28, 2026.

For people from Ukraine

Canada announced Canadia-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) measures that permit Ukrainians to enter Canada in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Ukrainian citizens who arrived in Canada on or before March 31, 2024, may use CUAET to apply for a work permit, student permit, or visitor permit extension until March 31, 2026.

Foreigners who have Spousal Support

Spousal open work permits may also be available to foreign nationals contingent on their spouses’ circumstances. This can occur in a variety of circumstances.

• If the spouse is enrolled in a Canadian post-secondary institution while on a study permit. Only spouses of master’s and doctoral students, as well as students enrolled in a limited number of in-demand programs, are currently eligible for spousal open work permits. Usually, this open work permit will last for the same amount of time as your spouse’s study permit.
• If the spouse is a citizen or permanent resident of Canada. In this scenario, you can apply for an open work permit while you wait for processing, and they can sponsor you for permanent residence. To qualify for this, you must be residing in Canada with a valid temporary resident status and have submitted your application for processing.
• If the spouse is employed abroad. The spouse would need to work in one of the following occupations to qualify: TEER 0, TEER 1, or a specific TEER 2 or 3 occupation. Additionally, your spouse must have a work permit that is valid for at least 16 months after applying.

Foreigners on the way to PR

Bridging Open Work Permit

While their application is being processed, foreign nationals can continue working in the country by applying for a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP), which permits them to do so while they await a decision on their permanent residence (PR) application. Typically, BOWPs are granted for a maximum of 24 months, though this can be extended. They are not bound by any one employer.

Requirements:

• Be living in Canada as a temporary resident. possess a valid Canadian visa.
• Have applied for permanent residence under one of the qualified economic immigration programs.
• Possess a letter acknowledging receipt of their PR application (AOR).

Atlantic Immigration Program

For qualified foreign workers and recent graduates who wish to work in Canada’s Atlantic provinces (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, or Newfoundland and Labrador), the Atlantic Immigration Program offers an employer-specific route to permanent residence. Candidates must have a job offer from a designated employer in Atlantic Canada to qualify. A work permit that permits an individual to work in Canada while their application is being processed is available to those who have applied to the program. They must be eligible for this work permit.

• An offer of employment from a designated employer who satisfies program requirements.
• A letter of recommendation from the Atlantic province where the worker will be employed.

Conclusion

If your post-graduation work permit is expiring soon, you do not need to worry. You should look for suitable options for a work permit. If you are confused about where to start, that’s where CWC comes in. We have 20 years of experience with Canadian immigration services. Contact us today for a Free assessment to get started.