Last Updated:September 23, 2026
What You Need to Settle Permanently = a "Work Permit"
When aiming for permanent residence in Canada, "what occupation you are employed in, in Canada" is an important factor. To be employed in Canada, you need a work permit. That is why "getting a visa that allows you to work" is the first starting point on the path to permanent residence.
Aim for Permanent Residence by Studying in Canada
Post-Graduation Work Permit
Benefit01
No age limit for enrolment
so anyone has a chance!
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Not tied to one employer
so you have more freedom!
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No employer sponsorship
needed!
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Work during your permit counts
as PR work experience!
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A Canadian credential
helps you find a job!
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PR streams for
graduates are available!*Varies by province
Recommended For
People who want to
build a career in Canada
You can work for Canadian companies and organizations and build a professional career. Gaining work experience can help you meet the requirements for permanent residence in the future.
People who want to
start a business abroad
After gaining work experience in Canada, you can also start a business or make investments. This leads to financial independence and further career growth.
Parents who want to study
in Canada with their children
Your children also gain more educational opportunities in Canada. Children of Post-Graduation Work Permit holders may be eligible for free tuition at public schools. Once you obtain permanent residence, your whole family can settle in Canada.
Parents who want to move
for their children's education
A stable job in Canada allows you to give your children a high-quality education. They can acquire native-level English in an English-speaking school environment.
To successfully obtain permanent residence, it is very important to plan your steps with your PR application in mind from as early as possible. Please feel free to contact us!
Consult Us About PR Through StudyingOur Post-Graduation Work Permit Success Stories
August 11, 2020
N. graduated from a 2-year college program in 5 years and obtained a PGWP
I thought getting a PGWP might be impossible, but I got it, so I'm ready for a fresh start!
Visa Type / Immigration Category
Post-Graduation Work Permit
Occupation
N/A
Place of Residence at Application
Japan
Time from Application to Approval
About 5 weeks
Status Before Applying
Study permit (returned to Japan)
August 12, 2019
T. went from student to PGWP, then applied for Family Class PR from outside Canada
Due to an error by immigration, my outland application was somehow processed as an inland application, but processing was fast for an inland application and I successfully obtained permanent residence.
Permanent Residence - Family Class
Occupation
N/A
Place of Residence at Application
Vancouver, BC
Time from Application to Approval
About 9 months
Status Before Applying
Student ⇒ Post-Graduation Work Permit
Post-Graduation Work Permit Eligibility
- Completed a program of at least 8 months at an eligible designated learning institution.
- Enrolled in a full-time study program.
- Enrolled at a public institution, or a private university, graduate school or college that receives at least 50% of its funding from public sources.
You Can Stay in Canada for Up to 5 Years
| Length of Study | PGWP Eligibility |
|---|---|
| Less than 8 months | Not eligible |
| 8 months to less than 2 years | Same length as your program |
| 2 years or more | Up to 3 years |
Major PGWP-Eligible Schools
British Columbia
Vanouver Community College
The college has two campuses, the Broadway campus about 10 minutes from downtown and the Downtown campus, both in very convenient locations. When it comes to public colleges for hands-on career training in Vancouver, such as culinary arts, baking, hospitality, hair and esthetics, design and automotive service, this is the place. Admission requirements for some programs are relatively low, making it easy to get in, and it is very popular with international students aiming for permanent residence.
Langara College
The main campus is in a convenient and pleasant location, about 15 minutes from downtown Vancouver on a single Canada Line trip. It offers many two-year programs such as Associate Degrees and Diplomas and is known for the high quality of its programs. It also ranks number one for transfers to well-known four-year universities. Its affiliated LEAP (English language program) is carefully designed to help students develop English skills that will serve them in their academic programs, and it has a reputation for thoroughly preparing students with academic content.
Douglas College
An easily accessible campus about 30 minutes from downtown Vancouver on a single SkyTrain line. It offers a variety of Certificate and Diploma programs, including business, unique programs such as hospitality and music, and programs leading to four-year universities.
Capilano University
Located in North Vancouver, just under 50 minutes from downtown by public transit. It offers a wide range of programs, from short-term Certificates to four-year Degrees. Its Early Childhood Education (ECE) related courses and its tourism management program for international students are especially popular, and the school actively welcomes international students.
Acsenda School of Management
A small, friendly school in downtown Vancouver focused on business programs. International students make up 80% of the student body, and small class sizes allow the school to give students close support. Students can choose from business-focused Diploma programs up to bachelor's degrees. Unlike public institutions, it has many intake dates, making it easy to enroll.
Alexander College
A college in downtown Vancouver. Its main offerings are university transfer programs and associate degree programs, mainly in general studies and business. It is a small school with a higher proportion of international students than other public institutions, and admission is relatively easy.
Okanagan College
Located in Kelowna in BC's Okanagan region (about a 4–5 hour drive from Vancouver). It is conveniently located about 20 minutes from downtown Kelowna by public transit. In addition to university transfer programs to UBC Okanagan, it offers Certificate and Diploma programs, including culinary arts, business, and hands-on trades and engineering programs such as carpentry and automotive service.
Camosun College
The college has campuses in Victoria on Vancouver Island, about 20 minutes from downtown Victoria by public bus. It offers a large number of programs, including transfer programs to four-year universities as well as community services, health care, sport, business and the arts, and it is very popular with both local and international students in Victoria.
Royal Roads University
A university known for its castle-like appearance, located on a hilltop about 45 minutes from downtown Victoria by public bus. In addition to business, it focuses on tourism and hospitality, and environmental studies are also available. It offers a wide range of master's degree programs.
College of The Rockies
True to its name, the college is located in a resort area in the Rocky Mountains. It is smaller than schools in urban areas, making it ideal for those who want to learn in a relaxed environment surrounded by mountains. Many students live in residence or with homestay families. Popular programs include culinary arts, tourism and business. Student satisfaction is high, and it is recommended for those who want to focus on their studies surrounded by nature.
University of the Fraser Valley
A public university in the suburban city of Abbotsford, about a 1.5-hour drive from downtown Vancouver. Located in the Fraser Valley, with many mountains, rivers and lakes nearby, it is recommended for those who want to study calmly in a beautiful environment. It offers everything from one-year certificates to master's programs.
British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT)
A college in central Vancouver known for its strength in business and technology. It offers a wide range of programs in engineering, IT, computing, systems and web, and boasts a high employment rate. It is also very popular with Canadians, so admission to some programs can be competitive. Early preparation is needed to meet the admission requirements.
Vancouver Island University
A university in Nanaimo on Vancouver Island, about a two-hour ferry ride from Vancouver. Because it was originally a university college, it features smaller class sizes than a typical university and a well-established International department to support international students. It combines the best of a college and a university: it has kept the one-year Certificate and Diploma programs from its college days while also offering four-year bachelor's degrees.
North Island College
A public community college on Vancouver Island, surrounded by nature. In addition to business and university transfer programs, it offers many career-focused, hands-on programs, including trades, hospitality and tourism, as well as a wide range of design-related programs such as web design and jewellery design.
Selkirk College
A public college in Nelson, BC, surrounded by mountains and lakes, about a one-hour flight from Vancouver. It was the first school in BC to accept international students and has a history of more than 50 years. Along with business, its environmental studies and resort and tourism programs are popular, and it also offers a wide variety of other programs such as Early Childhood Education, culinary arts and fine arts. It also offers a short-term TESOL program open to international students and ESL courses to prepare for entry into diploma and degree programs. On-campus housing is well equipped and used by many students.
Ontario
Georgian College
A college in Barrie (バリー), about an hour's drive north of Toronto. Surrounded by lakes and nature yet growing rapidly, the city combines nature and convenience and is also a popular tourist destination. The college is known for its wide range of programs and high employment rate, covering business, design, community services, tourism, IT and more. Living costs are also lower than in the Toronto area.
George Brown College
A college with its main campus in the heart of downtown Toronto. It offers a large number of programs, ranging from business to hands-on career training, with a surprisingly broad selection. Most are Certificates and Diplomas, but some Degrees and programs for university graduates are also available.
Seneca College
A college located about 45 minutes from downtown Toronto by public transit. This college also offers a wide variety of programs: in addition to the Certificate, Diploma and Degree programs found at other schools, it offers programs rarely seen at other public institutions, such as design and makeup.
Humber College
A college located near Toronto Pearson Airport. It offers a wide variety of engineering, IT and computer programs, as well as hands-on career programs.
Alberta
MacEwan University
A university in Edmonton, Alberta, surrounded by river valleys and green space. In addition to bachelor's and master's degrees, it offers Diplomas and Certificates, allowing students to study specialized fields as only a university can, with many programs in business, arts, literature, community services and more. In Alberta, study permit holders receive free health insurance, and the school helps with the application process, so students can feel at ease. MacEwan also has a sports centre and gym facilities that students can use free of charge, including swimming lessons.
Mount Royal University
A university in Calgary, Alberta. Originally a college offering short programs, it grew into a university as Alberta's population increased. Because of this background, it offers a wide range of programs, from short programs such as Diplomas to bachelor's degrees. Its affiliated language program is also unusual for a public institution: rather than focusing only on reading and writing, it teaches all skills in a balanced way. From the intermediate level up, students can choose between a track for further study and a track for those who want to improve their conversation skills.
Yukon
Yukon College
This is the only public college in Yukon. Located north of BC, Yukon, including Whitehorse, is famous for the northern lights. It may seem cold all year round, but summer temperatures are around 20°C, comfortable like early summer. Yukon College has about 1,000 students, of whom only about 20–30 are international students. Popular programs include culinary arts, Early Childhood Education and business.
To successfully obtain permanent residence, it is very important to plan your steps with your PR application in mind from as early as possible. Please feel free to contact us!
Consult Us About PR Through StudyingOther Ways to Work in Canada
LMIA Work Permit
You need a full-time employer to sponsor you. Once approved, you can only work for the sponsoring employer.
LMIA Work Permit DetailsWorking Holiday Visa
Only people aged 18 to 30 can apply, and it can be obtained only once in a lifetime. A 12-month open work permit is issued.
Spousal Open Work Permit
Spouses and common-law partners can apply. A 12-month open work permit is issued. Family members of work permit holders can also apply.
Spousal Open Work Permit DetailsCo-op Work Permit
Strictly speaking, this is not a work visa but a permit for students to do work placements as part of their program. It can only be obtained together with a study permit.
Co-op DetailsOff-Campus Work
If you are enrolled in a full-time program of 6 months or longer at a private or public school recognized by the Government of Canada, you can work up to 20 hours per week. Language schools are not eligible.
Off-Campus Work DetailsPathway Programs
These programs let you enter a university or college without taking an official English test. After completing the program, you continue on to your main studies, and a Post-Graduation Work Permit is issued when you graduate.
Pathway Program DetailsLooking to obtain permanent residence or a visa?
Consult with us now!
Applying for permanent residence or a visa to Canada on your own can be overwhelming due to the large number of required documents, and you may feel uncertain about whether everything is correct. However, if you're serious about immigrating to Canada, we strongly recommend seeking the support of an immigration consultant. There are many pathways to obtaining permanent residence, depending on factors such as your age, occupation, and family status. With the help of an expert, you can ensure that you plan the right approach tailored to your specific situation.
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