Post-Graduation Work Permit Eligibility
Getting a Post-Graduation Work Permit is not guaranteed to all international graduates. Avoid pitfalls and disappointments by reviewing the information on this page.
School and Program
IRCC’s list of Designated Learning Institutions confirms that Carleton University offers PGWP-eligible programs.
- All of Carleton’s degree programs are at least 8 months in length and can make graduates eligible for a PGWP. There is no field of study requirement for these programs.
- Diploma and certificate programs must be at least 8 months long and qualify as one of IRCC’s designated fields of study to make the graduate eligible for a PGWP.
- Non-credit courses or programs are not eligible for a PGWP.
Study Requirements
Maintain Full-Time Status
To be eligible for a PGWP, students must maintain full-time status throughout their studies, with these exceptions:
- During one final academic term
- During regularly scheduled breaks
- During an authorized Leave of Absence
Full-time academic status for a Carleton undergraduate requires completing at least 1.5 credits in a term. If a student starts the term with full-time status and subsequently drops courses to become part-time, that is counted as a part-time term.
Full-time status for Carleton graduate students is not dependent on course load.
Regularly scheduled breaks at Carleton are defined in the university’s Undergraduate Academic Regulations and Graduate Regulations.
Don’t take unauthorized leaves from study
Most study permit holders in Canada are required to remain registered in school as a condition of their status. Failure to meet this condition can result in ineligibility for a PGWP.
Breaks of no more than 150 days under certain circumstances are authorized leaves from study that don’t negatively impact PGWP eligibility These include regularly scheduled program breaks and Leaves of Absence approved by the school.
Regularly scheduled breaks at Carleton are defined in the university’s Undergraduate Academic Regulations and Graduate Regulations.
See IRCC information for additional details about authorized leaves from study. Carleton international students who need to take a break term for any reason should consult with the GO-ISSO beforehand, if possible.
Maintain valid student status
Most international students must maintain student status throughout their studies in Canada and until they are confirmed as eligible to graduate. For PGWP application purposes, it is advisable to have a study permit that will be valid for at least 90 days after the end of the final term.
Exception: Family members of foreign representatives may be authorized to study without a permit and may also apply for a PGWP using the process described on the Global Affairs Canada website.
Do a majority of studies in-person
More than 50% of online study makes the graduate ineligible. Remote study from outside of Canada is not counted at all towards the PGWP.
Work only as authorized
Review IRCC or GO-ISSO information on authorized work for students.
Working more than authorized while studying disqualifies the student from starting full-time work as soon as they submit a PGWP application, as some applicants are authorized to do. Unauthorized work while studying could also result in refusal of the work permit application.
PGWP restrictions
An individual can get a PGWP only once in their lifetime. They won’t be eligible for another PGWP even after completing a second eligible program of study.
Recipients of funding or a scholarship from Global Affairs Canada that requires returning home after graduating are not eligible. (Most scholarships do not have an impact on PGWP eligibility.)
Prepare to Apply During Final Term
Apply to graduate
Applying to graduate is a necessary prior step to access the Carleton documents needed for a PGWP application. Learn about deadlines and the process to apply to graduate on the website of the Registrar’s Office.
Take an approved English or French language test
Results must demonstrate IRCC’s required skill levels in all areas. Find details at the IRCC website.
Clear any amount owing in Student Account
A balance owing puts a financial hold on Carleton documents needed for a PGWP application.
Students whose outstanding balance prevents them from applying for a PGWP within the IRCC deadlines should consult with the immigration advisors at the GO-ISSO.
Check passport and biometrics expiry date
Most Carleton graduates are expecting to receive a PGWP that is valid for three years. However, a work permit can’t be valid beyond expiry of the student’s passport or biometrics. (Check Biometrics Status.)
Students facing one or both of these scenarios may choose to get a new passport ahead of time and/or redo their biometrics proactively when they apply for the PGWP. Alternatively, they can apply for their PGWP expecting a work permit of shorter validity and later apply for the residual portion. This will require paying work permit application fees a second time.
PGWP Application
Submit a PGWP application within 180 days of program completion
The 180 days is a strict eligibility period for applying for the PGWP. The 180 days begins as of the date that the student is notified they have met the requirements to graduate. This is usually before the date that the degree is conferred and well before the convocation date.
Apply while study permit is still valid
A study permit remains valid for at most 90 days after Carleton confirms the student is eligible to graduate. Having a valid study permit makes the graduate eligible to apply for a work permit as an extension of status in Canada, and it is also one of the factors that may allow them to start working full-time after applying for the PGWP.
If a study permit has expired or is no longer valid, it may be still possible to apply for the PGWP within the 180-day period, if the student is also eligible for restoration of status (within 90 days) or applying from outside of Canada.
Get the required Carleton documents
A program completion letter and transcript are available in Carleton Central as soon the student sees their final grades in their audit.
Although additional documents are not specifically required by IRCC, the GO-ISSO recommends including Certificates of Enrolment to establish full-time student status, as well as references to official university information to establish Carleton’s regularly scheduled breaks.
Other Documents
A PGWP application must include valid language test results and a copy of the applicant’s passport. No financial documents are required. If the student’s transcript has gaps that are authorized breaks from study or otherwise don’t make them ineligible for a PGWP, this must be explained with appropriate supporting documentation.