Immigration updates

As of June 21, 2024, PGWP applicants can no longer "flagpole" to apply at the Canada-U.S. border. 

On Oct 4, 2024, IRCC published more details on the new PGWP eligibility requirements. To be eligible for a PGWP, you must continue to meet the general PGWP requitements. The new eligibility requirements include the Language Requirement and the Field of Study Requirement depending on your study permit application submission date and the type of your study program.

USask's bachelor’s degree, master’s degree and doctoral degree programs do not need to meet the Field of Study Requirement. All fields of study are eligible for university’s bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs.  

As of Novemeber 1, 2024, all PGWP applicants must prove their English or French language skills with a minimum level of Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) 7 in English or Niveaux de competence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) 7 in French in all 4 language areas. Please see more details here. 

About post-graduation work permits

A Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) is an open work permit, allowing the holder to work for any employer in Canada.

The length of the PGWP depends on the length of the study program the student has completed, up to a maximum of three years. 

In order to be eligible for a PGWP you should meet the following general requirements:

  • you completed a study program at a designated learning institution
  • you maintained full-time status as a student in Canada during each semester of your study program
    • There are some exceptions to this requirement, including
      • studying part-time during your final semester
      • taking an approved leave from your studies
      • having to stop studying or changing to part-time studies between March 2020 and the fall semester in 2020 for reasons related to COVID-19
  • you apply for your PGWP within 180 days after you graduate
  • your study permit was valid at some point during the 180 days after you graduated
  • none of the exceptions to the PGWP eligibility requirements apply to you
Please consult the IRCC website for the most up to date information on exceptions to the general eligibility requirements and special cases.

Applying

  • You must apply for a PGWP within 180 days of receiving written confirmation from USask indicating that you have met the requirements for completion of your academic program. The date of your graduation ceremony is not relevant. Do not wait until the graduation ceremony to apply for the PGWP.

    • We strongly recommend that if applying within Canada you apply while your study permit is still valid (the expiry date on it, or 90 days after written confirmation of program completion first becomes available, whichever comes first).

  • You must apply for your PGWP online via your IRCC secure account. USask documents needed for your application include a written confirmation of program completion and an official transcript.
  • At USask, your program is considered complete when you receive written confirmation of program completion (letter of completion). The letter of completion is not issued automatically. You must request it directly from your college/academic unit. 
  • You must submit your language test resuts with your PGWP application, not after. If there is no specific field to upload your language test result in your online application, upload it under the "Client Information" section. 
  • You can apply for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) from inside Canada or from another country, as long as you’re eligible. You should read the applicable guide for your situation before you complete your application. The guide will explain how to complete each field on the form.

Working after completing academic requirements for program of study, but prior to receiving written confirmation of program completion

After completing your final academic requirements, but before receiving written confirmation of program completion from the University, you are eligible to work an unlimited number of hours on campus and part-time off campus, so long as:

  • You hold a valid study permit;
  • You were a full-time student in your last academic semester (or, you maintained full-time status for the duration of your degree except your final semester and you were part-time your final semester because you only required a part-time course load to complete your degree);
  • You did not work more than 20 hours off campus during regular academic session.

Once you receive written confirmation of program completion you must cease working and leave Canada within 90 days or apply to change your status (eg. visitor status or PGWP).

Please find more information.

Working after submitting PGWP application and prior to decision being reached on the application

If you applied for a PGWP before the expiry of your study permit, you are eligible to work full time, without a work permit, while waiting for a decision on the application if all of the following apply to you:

  • You had a valid study permit at the time of applying for your PGWP (If you applied for a PGWP on visitor status you will not be able to work until you receive the PGWP)
  • You have completed your program of study
  • You were in compliance of your study permit during your studies
  • You did not exceed the allowable hours of on and off campus work during your studies

If your PGWP is refused, you must stop working immediately. Please visit ISSAC.

Common questions

Working between two programs of study

If you have completed a program of study and will be starting a new program of study within 150 days of receiving written confirmation of program completion from your current University, you may work off campus (not on campus), full-time, so long as:

  • The program you will be enrolled in, and the program you completed, are post-secondary academic, vocational or professional training programs, of duration of six months or more, that lead to degrees, diplomas or certificates;
  • You have received written confirmation of program completion from your current University; and
  • You have a valid study permit, or have submitted an application to extend your study permit prior to your current study permit expiring and as such you have implied status. 

If you have applied to extend your stay in Canada as a student and your study permit application is refused, then you must inform your employer and cease working immediately.

You can only work on campus if you are a full time student at, and have a valid study permit with, that particular University.  Implied status does not allow on campus work between study permits. 

(Please be advised that this immigration advice has been prepared by University legal counsel and must be provided in an unaltered state.)

If your passport expires before your PGWP

Make sure your passport is valid for the entire length of time you should be eligible. If your passport expires earlier:

  • IRCC will only issue you a PGWP that’s valid until your passport expires
  • IRCC will tell you if you need to extend it to get the full validity

Normally, you can only apply to extend a PGWP if IRCC tells you to do so. If this happens, you have to apply on paper to extend your PGWP so it will be valid for the full length it should be. 

After you get your PGWP: 

  • Make sure all information on it is correct (name, date of birth, etc). If you notice mistakes or missing information, please speak with ISSAC.
  • Make a copy of it and store the original safely.
  • If you are going to work in Canada, you will need to apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN).
  • Apply for a new Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) to re-enter Canada (if applicable).
  • Renew your Saskatchewan Health Card.