Post-graduate work visas are open work permits granted to foreign students who have completed an educational program in Canada. With this permit, graduates can work for any employer, for any number of hours, anywhere in Canada. The permit is valid for 8 months to 3 years and offers a valuable opportunity to gain work experience in the country.

Canadian work experience can be beneficial for obtaining permanent residency and, eventually, citizenship if graduates decide to stay.

Entries are typically processed within 80 to 180 days, provided all necessary requirements are met.

Post-graduates who have obtained this temporary work permit can opt for permanent residence through one of the following programs:

• Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
• Federal Skilled Worker (FSW)
• Federal Skilled Trades (FST)
• Provincial Nomination Programs (PNP)
• Quebec Immigration Programs (QIP)
• Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP).

Unlike most Canadian work permits, post-graduates will not be required to complete a labour market impact assessment (LMIA).

To be eligible for this permit, you must meet the following requirements:

• Be at least 18 years of age.
• Complete at least 8 months of education in Canada in a full-time program.
• The program must be taken at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI).
• You must submit your profile within 180 days of your graduation.
• If you submit your profile while staying in Canada, you must have a valid student permit.

Eligible educational programs include the following:

• Public post-secondary schools like colleges, trade or technical schools or universities, or CEGEP in Quebec.
• Private post-secondary schools operating under the same rules as public schools.
• Private secondary or post-secondary schools that are based in Quebec and offer qualifying programs of 900 hours or longer. These must also lead to a diplôme d’études professionnelles (DEP) or an attestation de spécialisation professionnelle (ASP) in order to qualify.
• Canadian private schools that legally award degrees under provincial law for those enrolled in study programs leading to a degree.