Working after graduation

If you plan to stay in Canada to work you must apply for your Post Graduation Work Permit. This is an open permit which will enable you to work anywhere in Canada for up to three years. You do ont need a job offer to apply for this permit.

When should I apply for my work permit?

It is important that you apply for this permit as soon as you meet all the requirements for your degree i.e. after your final marks have been submitted. You must apply within 90 days after you are eligible.

Am I eligible to apply for a Post Graduation Work Permit?

If you meet the following requirements then you are eligible:

You have completed all the requirements for your degree
You are currently still residing in Canada
Your study permit is still valid

How do I apply?

You can apply with a paper application but it is advisable that you apply online as it is easier to track your documents. To apply via the paper application click here. To apply online follow these instructions:

Create your online profile and e-pass by registering with MyCIC on their website. Remember you must complete your application within 60 days of beginning the online application.
When you are asked “what do you want to do today?” choose the link that takes you to the post-graduation work permit application site.
When you are asked how long you want to stay in Canada, use the following guidelines put in 3 years.
Upload the required supporting documents. You are required to submit proof that you have completed your program of studies:

For December graduates, you must obtain a letter from the Registrar’s Office, stating that you have completed all of your degree requirements.
You are required to submit a PDF of your passport. This needs to include the information (face) page and any stamps made by Canadian officials when you have entered Canada.
Create one PDF that contains all of this information and upload it.
Pay the application fee. The fee is $150. You can pay online using your credit card, or, if you do not have a credit card, you can pay your fee at a bank using the CIC receipt (available from the International Centre), and upload a PDF of the receipt showing that you paid.

What if I want to leave Canada for a while then come back to work?

If you apply for the Post Graduation Work Permit and you receive it you may choose to take some time off first before you come back to Canada to work. If you leave Canada and then return, you must have a valid TRV (if required) in order to enter the country unless you are travelling to the United Sates only. You must make sure that you show that you are carrying your Post Graduation Work Permit with you when you re-enter Canada. Border officials often ask to see proof of your status when you are travelling on a work permit. This can be in the form of a contract from your employer (if you already have a job) stating your duties, wages and date of employment. If your job pays less than $10,000/year, you must also carry proof of funds (a bank statement) showing that between your salary and your savings (or your family savings) you have at least $10,000 available to support yourself in Canada. If you do not have a job you will need to provide a bank statement with proof of funds available to you while you are looking for a job (usually about $10,000).

My study permit expired has expired and the 90 days to apply has passed. Can I still apply for a Post graduation Work Permit?

If your study permit expires within 90 days after your final marks are available or you have submitted your thesis or dissertation, prior to the permit’s expiry date you can apply for a study permit “bridging extension.” This is a study permit extension and can be submitted online on the MyCIC website.

After graduation can I work using my Off Campus Work Permit?

If you have applied for a Post Graduation Work Permit and it has not arrived yet you may continue working full-time off campus with your Off Campus Work Permit until your Post Graduation Work Permit arrives as long as your Off campus Work Permit is still valid and has not expired. If your employer has any questions about this they can contact the International Student Advisor at: international_advisor@mta.ca.