Note that ASM graduates of degree programs (i.e., Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD) are not required meeting the field of study requirement. For more information, please review our News and Update post here.
As a result, Acsenda School of Management (ASM) programs are not required to meet the CIP program requirements for PGWP eligibility.
As of Jun 21, 2024, PGWP applicants can no longer apply at the Canada-US border through “flagpoling”. Learn about applying for the PGWP online.
Updated February, 2025.
Full-time international students from certain post-secondary institutions in Canada may be eligible to apply for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) after graduation. The PGWP is an open work permit that will allow you to work in Canada and gain valuable work experience. If you are interested in applying for Canadian permanent residence, the PGWP provides an opportunity to gain the skilled work experience which may be required for certain PR applications. You don’t need a job offer to apply for a PGWP.
Note that you can only apply for the PGWP once in your lifetime. Please be mindful if you plan to pursue further studies to make an informed decision about when to apply for your PGWP.
A post-graduation work permit can only be issued for a maximum of 3 years, mainly depending on the length of your program. You may be eligible to apply for an extension if your PGWP is issued for a shorter duration due to your passport validity. For more information about how Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) determines the length of PGWP to be issued, visit the IRCC website.
A post-graduation work permit (PGWP) allows you to remain in Canada and work full-time after you complete a certificate, diploma, or degree program that is at least 8 months in length.
You don’t need a job offer to apply and can work anywhere in Canada in any occupation. Certain jobs require a medical exam, such as those involving work with children or in healthcare settings. You are not allowed to work in jobs at risk of exploitation.
To be eligible to apply for a PGWP, you must meet all the eligibility criteria as outlined by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Review the following online resources to learn about how the new requirements may impact your PGWP application:
To be eligible for a PGWP, generally, you must meet all of the following requirements:
How to meet the language proficiency requirement?
As instructed in the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) official website, you must apply for a PGWP within 180 days of receiving written confirmation of your program completion from ASM. Calculation of the 180-day period begins the day the final marks are issued, or the day formal written notification of program completion (Completion Letter) is received, whichever comes first.
To align with IRCC’s Program Delivery Instructions, we recommend that you begin counting the 180-day period from the day your final grades are released in your final term of study, as the final grades will be issued prior to your Credential Completion Letter and/or your Senate Letter. Also, the date of your convocation ceremony has no relation to the 180-day application period for your PGWP.
A PGWP is a practical way to advance your career goals and gain Canadian work experience after completing your studies at ASM. For students who are interested in applying for Canadian permanent residency (PR), it provides an opportunity to gain one year of skilled work experience in Canada, which might be helpful for certain PR programs.
You can only apply for the PGWP once in your lifetime. If you are unsure if you will stay or return to Canada after your studies, consider applying for the PGWP in case your plans change, since you will lose the opportunity to apply 180 days after your letter of completion first becomes available. You do not need to live in Canada or hold a job at all times to keep the work permit valid.
If you are going to apply online, you will need:
Read the instruction guide before submitting your application or in case you have any doubts while doing the process.
Before submitting any documents for your application, you might need to answer some questions for the website to generate the right application based on your answers.
You will need to pay the fees at the end of your application. You might need to pay both the open work permit holder fee and the work permit fee as stated with the respective prices below. When you apply remember there are two fees that must be paid:
You can register through GCKey which is the simplest way to access the IRCC online services with a username and password or Sign-In Partner which allows you to use your online Canadian banking information to register.
Is important that you apply before your study permit expires and within 90 days after your letter of completion gets available. You will be able to remain in Canada while waiting for the decision on the PGWP. Remember to continue following the requirements and conditions that you are under in your student permit.
In case your study permit expires before you are able to apply to the PGWP, you need to restore your status as a student, apply for a visitor record to stay in Canada longer, or leave Canada and apply for the PGWP outside the country. Remember that you cannot work until your study permit and work permit are approved.
If you want to apply online outside of Canada, remember that you might need additional biometrics, medical exams, and certificates.
If you have any further questions or concerns regarding your study permits, PGWP eligibility, or other related matters, we recommend consulting the IRCC website or speaking with your immigration consultant. Please note that Acsenda School of Management (ASM) cannot provide immigration advice.
The awarding of a PGWP is ultimately a decision made by IRCC, and this information does not guarantee that a graduate will receive a PGWP.
