NEXT STEPS AFTER GRADUATION: INTERNATIONAL GRADUATE STUDENTS
Last updated: August 1, 2023
Work Permit & Travel
As an international graduate student who has applied for graduation during Summer 2023, please carefully review the detailed information below regarding your immigration & travel documents after completion of your program.
Should you have any questions, please connect with an International Student Advisor for assistance. We wish you all the best with your future endeavours.
Note: This page will be updated as information changes. The information below is only applicable to SFU students and is current as of the last updated date. While we do our best to ensure that the advice given is accurate and up to date, please note the information below does not replace the specific information provided by the government and other relevant authorities. Please be aware that all information provided is subject to change without notice.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- What is a PGWP?
- When should I apply for a PGWP?
- When does my study permit become invalid?
- How can I apply for my PGWP within Canada?
- My study permit will expire before I can submit the PGWP application. How should I proceed with my PGWP?
- I am currently outside Canada. Can I apply for a PGWP from outside Canada?
- My study permit has already expired and I am holding maintained/implied status now. Can I apply for a PGWP?
- Can I work before applying for a PGWP?
- Can I start working once I have applied for a PGWP?
- Will my eligibility for the PGWP be impacted if I studied part time or took time off at some point in my SFU Program?
- Can my spouse or common-law partner apply for their Open Work Permit (OWP)?
- Do I need to provide biometrics for my PGWP?
- I have a full-time job offer from a Canadian employer and I am eligible to work while waiting for my PGWP. What proof of work authorization can I provide them?
- Can I study in Canada as a work permit holder?
Full-time international students may be eligible to apply for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) upon completion of their studies in Canada. The PGWP is a once in a lifetime opportunity. It is an open work permit of up to three years in length, and you don't need a job offer or work experience to be eligible to apply.
Review the links below to learn more.
As instructed in the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) official website, you must apply for a PGWP within 180 days of receiving a written confirmation of your program completion from SFU. Calculation of the 180-day period begins the day the final marks are issued or the day formal written notification of program completion (the Credential Completion Letter or the Senate 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. We advise that you apply for a PGWP within 180 days of receiving your final grades from SFU, which you will receive prior to your Credential Completion Letter.
If needed, the onus is on you to demonstrate when your final grades are issued and when you are first notified of your program completion (e.g. your credential completion letter, your Senate Letter, etc).
📍 TIP: For graduate students in thesis-based programs, the 180-day period will start from the day your thesis grade is posted.
Note: The date of your convocation ceremony has no relation to the 180-day application period for your PGWP.
| Applying from within Canada | OR | Applying from outside Canada |
You must have valid temporary resident status in Canada (e.g. a valid study permit) at the time of your application. Visit this section of our website to know more about how to apply for a PGWP from inside Canada. If you are applying (or have applied) for a PGWP while holding maintained status (e.g. you apply to extend your study permit or change your status to visitor before your permit expires), you may not be eligible to apply for PGWP from inside Canada. Please connect with an International Student Advisor, Immigration Specialist to find out how this impacts your PGWP application. |
You may have the option to apply for a PGWP from outside of Canada within 180 days of receiving your final grades from SFU. Visit our website for more information on how to apply from outside Canada. |
Under the Regulations, your study permit will automatically become invalid 90 days after the day you completed your studies, or on the expiry date printed on your study permit, whichever comes first.
As noted in the IRCC website, the 90-day period will begin on the date when you receive the first notification of program completion from SFU. To assess the validity of your study permit, it is our recommendation that the 90-day period should be counted from the date when your Credential Completion Letter (CCL) is received as this is the first official notification of program completion that students receive at SFU. Visit our frequently asked questions (FAQ) to know more about the CCL.
In most cases, you must apply online. You must include the following supporting documents from SFU with your application:
- A final transcript (an unofficial transcript from goSFU showing your final marks is sufficient), and
- An official letter confirming the successful completion of your academic requirements. You may use one of the following for this purpose:
Credential Completion Letter (CCL) OR Senate Letter / Formal Notification of Graduation Must be manually downloaded via goSFU. You will not receive an automatic notification when the CCL becomes available on goSFU. Emailed to your SFU email address starting September 12, 2023 after your degree is awarded by the Senate Available to you once the Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (GPS) office receives and processes the Degree Recommendation from your program You cannot access this letter after the Senate letter is sent to you. We recommend that you generate a CCL prior to this and retain a copy of your CCL for future reference.
Review the links below for information about how to request the above documents and how to apply for your work permit online from inside Canada:
- Visit the SFU website for instructions on how to access your CCL. (Scroll down to FAQ "I need a Credential Completion Letter, how to do get one?")
- Visit the SFU website for information about how to request a transcript.
- Review our Applying for a Post-Graduation Work Permit resource for instructions about how to apply for a PGWP in Canada and the required supporting documents.
- Review our Applying for a Post-Graduation Work Permit instruction guide to review how to generate an in-Canada application checklist and complete the application form.
If your study permit will expire or become invalid before you can submit your PGWP application, you have several options for how to proceed. If you are unsure what your best option would be, consult with an International Student Advisor, Immigration Specialist for advice.
Option 1: Apply to extend your study permit within Canada, if eligible
Given that Summer 2023 is your final term, you may submit an application to extend your study permit within Canada for an additional 90 days (e.g. you may request your study permit to be extended to the end of November 2023) which is also known as a “bridge extension”.
If you apply to extend your study permit prior to its expiry date, you can continue to remain in Canada under maintained status while waiting for a decision to be made on your study permit extension application.
If you plan to apply for a PGWP while holding maintained status (e.g. you apply to extend your study permit or change your status to visitor before your permit expires), you may not be eligible to apply for PGWP from inside Canada. Please connect with an International Student Advisor to find out how this impacts your PGWP application.
Note: If you wish to begin working full-time immediately after submitting a PGWP application you must hold a valid study permit and meet all other eligiblity criteria at the time of application.
Option 2: Apply to change your status to visitor
To remain in Canada longer, you may also apply to change your status to visitor. To do so, you must apply for a visitor record (apply to extend your stay in Canada as a visitor) before your study permit expires or becomes invalid.
While your visitor record application is in process, you may continue to remain in Canada under maintained status while waiting for a decision to be made on your visitor record application. Most visitors are not eligible to apply for a work permit from within Canada. If you change your status to visitor, you may need to submit an outside Canada PGWP application.
If you are in this situation, please connect with an International Student Advisor, Immigration Specialist to discuss how to approach a PGWP application. To review who is eligible to submit an in-Canada work permit application, visit the IRCC website.
Option 3: Apply for a PGWP outside Canada
If you will apply for your PGWP from outside Canada, you should either leave Canada before your current status expires, or apply to extend your stay in Canada (if you plan to leave later) using Option 1 or 2 above.
Please refer to the next question for how to apply for a PGWP from outside Canada.
You may have the option to apply for a PGWP from outside Canada within 180 days of receiving written notification of your program completion from SFU.
To be eligible to apply for a PGWP from outside Canada, you must either have a study permit, or have received a study permit approval (i.e. port of entry letter of introduction confirming that your study permit has been approved).
In assessing and weighing your options between an in-Canada and outside Canada PGWP application, various factors should be taken into consideration such as:
- your eligibility to apply for a work permit inside Canada and outside Canada;
- IRCC current estimated processing times;
- IRCC country specific visa office instructions for the responsible visa office from where you will be applying
- availability of biometrics enrollment appointments at biometrics collection sites;
- access to third-party service providers such as panel physicians for immigration medical examinations (if applicable);
- whether your have the proper immigration travel document (such as a temporary resident visa or electronic travel authorization to return to Canada; and
- your travel plans, if any.
Upon approval of your PGWP application from outside Canada, please ensure that you monitor Canada's COVID-19 border and entry measures when planning for your departure and that you meet the entry requirements to travel back to Canada. Visit our website for more information on how your travel may be impacted by COVID-19 travel and border measures in Canada.
If you would like to discuss your options for how you should proceed, please contact an International Student Advisor, Immigration Specialist for assistance.
If you are applying (or have applied) for a PGWP while holding maintained status (e.g. you apply to extend your study permit or change your status to visitor before your permit expires), you may not be eligible to apply for PGWP from inside Canada. Please connect with an International Student Advisor, Immigration Specialist to find out how this impacts your PGWP application.
If you were eligible to work off-campus in your final term, you may continue to work up to a maximum of 20 hours per week until the first date you receive your credential completion letter. Your study permit must also remain valid during this period.
You must stop working when your credential completion letter is received via goSFU. Keep in mind that you will not receive an automatic notification when the credential completion letter becomes available. Visit the SFU website for instructions on how to access your CCL.
After submitting your PGWP application, you may start working on a full-time basis if you meet certain eligibility requirements set by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). If you do not meet those requirements, you must wait to receive your work permit first before starting or resuming work.
- Visit the IRCC website to check if you are eligible to work off campus in your final term.
- Visit the IRCC website to review the eligibility requirements to work after applying for the PGWP.
- Review our Next Steps After Graduation Timeline for information about work eligibility after completing your studies.
With the exception of part-time studies in the final term, or an authorized leave of up to 150 days, continuous full-time enrollment in each academic session (term) throughout your studies is a requirement that you must meet to be eligible for the PGWP. The Spring, Summer, and Fall terms are all considered academic sessions for SFU graduate students.
If you were not able to maintain continuous full-time enrollment in all academic terms (e.g. you studied part time or took an approved leave of absence) at SFU, it is strongly recommended that you include a letter of explanation with your application detailing your unique circumstance(s). Depending on the circumstances, supporting documents may also be submitted as evidence of reason(s) for any gaps in your full-time enrollment.
Please feel welcome to connect with an International Student Advisor, Immigration Specialist if you would like to discuss further. We are here to support you.
i Enrolled part time or took a term off in the Spring 2020 and/or Summer 2020 terms?
If you were unable to maintain full-time enrollment (e.g. you dropped to part-time studies or took the term off) in Spring 2020 or Summer 2020 due to COVID-19, it should not negatively impact your eligibility for the post-graduation work permit. To demonstrate how your studies in Spring and/or Summer 2020 were impacted by COVID-19, you should include the following documents in your application:
- A letter of explanation to the immigration officer explaining why you were not able to maintain full-time enrollment.
- SFU’s announcement on updates and changes to academic policies and procedures for the Spring and Summer term (e.g. in-person instruction cancelled for the Spring 2020 term, the extended withdrawal period for the Spring term), and any other relevant correspondence you have received from SFU.
- IRCC program delivery instructions referencing the flexibility on full-time enrollment requirements for Spring 2020 and Summer 2020 due to COVID-19. This is also referenced on the IRCC public facing website.
When processing your application, IRCC may contact you to request additional documents to assess your eligibility.
Although IRCC has announced an intent to be flexible on the full-time enrollment requirement in cases where students’ studies were impacted by COVID-19 in Spring 2020 and Summer 2020, PGWP approval is never guaranteed. The final decision will be made at the discretion of the immigration officer who processes your application. Therefore, you should provide a clear explanation, along with any applicable supporting documentation, as evidence of the reason(s) why you could not study full time.
Your spouse of common-law partner may apply for an open work permit (OWP) provided that they are in a genuine relationship with you, the Principal Foreign National (PFN), and meet the eligiblity criteria for an open work permit.
Depending on your employment level, your spouse or common-law partner may be eligible for an open work permit under one of the categories below:
- LMIA exemption C41 - Spouses or common-law partners of high-skilled workers (holding a job in Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities (TEER) categories 0, 1, 2 or 3). Review the eligibility criteria on the IRCC website.
- LMIA exemption C47 - Spouses or common-law partners of low-skilled workers (holding a job in TEER categories 4 or 5). Review the eligiblity criteria on the IRCC website.
In Canada PGWP application
If you have not provided biometrics (fingerprints and photo) as part of an application to come to Canada in the past 10 years, and you are not exempt from the biometrics requirement, you will need to give your biometrics for your post-graduation work permit application.
Visit the IRCC website for information about how to give your biometrics.
To review IRCC temporary measures in place for biometric collection in Canada, visit the IRCC website.
Outside Canada PGWP application
If you will be applying for your PGWP from outside of Canada, biometrics enrollment is required unless you are exempt, or you already have valid biometrics with IRCC.
Your biometrics instruction letter (BIL) will confirm the deadline by which you are required to give your biometrics (usually 30 days from the date of your BIL per the IRCC website). If you are unable to complete your biometrics enrolment within the given deadline, visit the IRCC website for further instructions and to review IRCC temporary measures in place for biometric collection outside Canada. To learn more about applications with missing biometrics outside Canada, visit the IRCC website.
Have you completed biometrics in the past?
If you gave biometrics in the past as part of an application to come to Canada (e.g. applying for a temporary resident visa or a study permit outside of Canada), they may still be valid. To check whether your biometrics are still valid, and when they will expire, visit the Check Status Tool on the IRCC website.
According to the immigration regulation R186(w), if you meet the eligibility criteria to work after submitting your PGWP application, you may continue to work until a decision is made on your application, even if you leave and re-enter Canada. For more information on travelling to Canada, please refer to the Travel & Border Measures section of this page.
Once IRCC receives your PGWP application, they will issue your Submission Confirmation Letter (Acknowledgement of Receipt) and an Interim Proof of Work Letter (IMM 0127 E – WP-EXT for PGWP).
The Interim Proof of Work Letter generally has a validity of 120 days which corresponds to IRCC's standard service delivery. If you do not receive your PGWP decision during the validity period noted in your Interim Proof of Work Letter, and you still need proof of work authorization to continue working, you may request this by submitting a webform to IRCC.
i The 120-day validity of the Interim Proof of Work Letter in no way overrides R186(w). For more information on this, please review this IRCC webpage.
i If you do not meet the eligibility criteria to work after applying for a PGWP, you must wait for your work permit to be approved before you start working.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) recently announced a new temporary public policy which allows eligible foreign workers to study without a study permit. Please visit the IRCC webpage: Public policy allowing some work permit holders to study without a study permit for more information.
i Few reminders when applying for a PGWP
- Make sure that you have applied for graduation for the Summer 2023 term
- Review how COVID-19 is affecting Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
- Review the SFU ISS FAQ page for study permit, visa, medical insurance and travel information.
- Speak with your program advisor/coordinator if you have questions about your credential completion letter. Visit the SFU website for instructions on how to access your CCL.
- Check your passport expiry date as the post-graduation work permit will not be issued beyond the validity of your passport.
- Review the 2 SFU ISS PGWP instruction guides for instructions about how to apply for a PGWP within Canada.
- Review the PGWP Information Session online recording and customize your own post-graduation work permit timeline.
- Review and check your work eligibility during the transition period to the PGWP.
- Check IRCC's estimated processing times for PGWP applications.
- Closely monitor the Government of Canada website for the most up to date information on travel and border measures.
- Connect with an International Student Advisor, Immigration Specialist should you have any questions.
According to our Academic Dates calendar, the next Convocation ceremony will be held between October 5-6, 2023. If your friends and/or family wish to visit you in Canada to attend your Convocation ceremony, refer to the following resources that may help them to prepare for their visit to Canada:
- Visit the IRCC website about visiting Canada
- Visit the Government of Canada website to review how COVID-19 travel and entry requirements for Canada
- Visit the IRCC website to find out if your family or friends need to apply for a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to travel to Canada
- Review the SFU ISS guide for documents you can prepare to assist your family members (includes a sample invitation letter)
- Visit the IRCC website for estimated processing times for applications
While most COVID-19 border measures have ended, it is strongly recommended that your family or friends closely monitor the Government of Canada website for the most current, up to date travel alerts and information.
Visit our SFU ISS FAQ page for additional information on what resources and supports are available at SFU and how the COVID-19 pandemic may impact immigration, travel, and medical insurance for international students.
Frequently Asked Questions:
It is important to keep in mind how COVID-19 may impact the eligibility and processing of your PGWP.
IRCC announced that active COVID-19 policies related to international students have been shifted to IRCC's regular program delivery instructions (PDI). These policies can be reviewed there. Temporary policies that are specfic to the PGWP can be found in the headings below.
Visit the Government of Canada website to review the current travel and entry requirements for Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Enrollment status in Spring 2020 & Summer 2020 terms
Visit this section of our website for more information if you were unable to maintain full-time enrollment status in the Spring 2020 or Summer 2020 term due to COVID-19.
Note that this IRCC’s flexibility on full-time enrollment status was not extended beyond the Summer 2020 term. As of September 2020, SFU graduate students must meet the full-time enrollment requirement (with possible exceptions being made in the final term of study or during a period of authorized leave) to qualify for a PGWP.
Remote learning in and outside Canada
Remote learning in Canada
IRCC has confirmed that online studies completed within Canada due to COVID-19 will not adversely impact your eligibility for the PGWP. The time you spend studying online from within Canada until August 31, 2023, still counts toward the length of your PGWP. However, it’s highly recommended that you attend in-class options when offered.
The temporary policy change for in-Canada students studying online ends on August 31, 2023. Visit the IRCC website for more information.
Remote learning outside Canada
Under normal circumstances, distance-learning courses completed outside Canada are excluded from the time accumulated toward the length of the PGWP. However, on an exceptional basis, IRCC has implemented the following temporary policy changes to accommodate eligible online studies that have been completed in and outside Canada.
- Applicable for students who were enrolled in a PGWP-eligible program in March 2020, or who started a program of study between March 2020 and August 31, 2022
- Not required to complete 50% of their program (or programs) of study in Canada. Up to 100% of their program can be completed online from outside Canada
- Time spent studying outside of Canada can be counted toward the overall length of the PGWP until August 31, 2023.
Processing times
Biometrics collection in and outside Canada
Please visit this section of our website for information about how COVID-19 may impact biometrics collection for your PGWP application.
While COVID-19 travel and border measures in Canada were lifted as of October 1, 2022, it is strongly recommended to monitor the Government of Canada website for the most current, up-to-date information on travel, testing, and other requirements to enter Canada.
Before travelling to Canada, please make sure that you know what you need to do before and after your arrival in Canada and take the proper steps to comply with all the entry requirements. Visit this FAQ to learn more about the entry requirements for temporary workers.
If you have questions or would like to discuss your travel plans and options, please connect with an International Student Advisor, Immigration Specialist.
If you plan to travel abroad while your PGWP application is being processed within Canada, your ability to re-enter/return to Canada may depend on a variety of factors including the validity of your immigration documents and the timing of your arrival/return to Canada.
Generally speaking, you must have a valid immigration travel document (such as a temporary resident visa/TRV or electronic travel authorization/eTA) to return to Canada. Upon your return, you may continue working full-time while you wait for a decision in your PGWP application provided that you meet the eligibility criteria.
When you arrive at the border, you must:
- carry your valid passport and valid immigration travel document (such as a temporary resident visa or electronic travel authorization, unless exempted);
- convince the border services officer that you will leave Canada at the end of your authorized period of stay by proving that you have ties to your home country (e.g. job, home, family, and/or financial assets);
- have proof of financial means to support yourself in Canada;
- be criminally and medically admissible (no criminal or immigration-related convictions, or any health conditions that would be an excessive demand or would endanger the public health & safety); and
- have valid immigration medical exam (if you need one)
Note that a Border Services Officer will make the final decision on whether you are eligible to enter Canada.
For more information about travel after submitting an in-Canada PGWP application visit:
- The IRCC PGWP program delivery instructions
- The IRCC PGWP website
- The IRCC Help Centre question about leaving Canada with a PGWP application in progress