Next Steps After Graduation: International Graduate Students
If you’re completing your graduate program in Fall 2025, this page outlines what you need to know about your Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), work eligibility, travel, and convocation.
Last updated: Dec 16, 2025
At-a-Glance Checklist:
- Apply for your Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) within 180 days of receiving your final grades or degree completion.
- Your study permit becomes invalid 90 days after completing your program or the expiry date, whichever comes first.
- Ensure your passport is valid for at least 3 years (to receive the maximum PGWP length).
- You may work part-time before applying and full-time once you’ve applied for your PGWP, if eligible.
- You must submit your PGWP application before 11:59 p.m. Coordinated Universal Time (UTC)—not local time—on the 180th day, whether you apply from inside or outside Canada.
- Be sure to extend your dependent’s documents before they expire. Additional criteria must be met before you can apply for or extend your spouse/common-law partner’s work permit while you hold a PGWP.
Select the section that matches your stage in the PGWP process:
· Section 1: Before You Apply for Your PGWP
· Section 2: After You Apply — Work While You Wait
· Section 3: After You Receive Your PGWP
Upcoming PGWP application tutorial:
Are you graduating soon? Join our PGWP Info & Tutorial Session on December 18 at 2:30 p.m. PST (via Zoom) to learn what documents you need, how to apply, and what to expect while you wait for your permit.
Register here
What is a PGWP?
International students who complete their studies in Canada may be eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit. The PGWP is a one-time, open work permit valid for up to three years, and you do not need a job offer to apply.
Eligible SFU graduates from Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctoral programs who meet IRCC’s PGWP eligibility criteria can apply for a PGWP of up to three years.
Eligibility Requirements
You must:
- Have completed an eligible graduate degree (Master’s or PhD) at SFU.
- Have maintained full-time enrollment, in every adademic term except possibly in your final term (or an authorized leave).
- Completed at least 50% of your program in person in Canada if you began your program on or after September 1, 2022. Online courses completed outside Canada after August 31, 2024 do not count toward the length of your PGWP and may be deducted from your total PGWP eligibility.
- Meet the IRCC language test requirement (effective November 1, 2024). University graduates (Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD) must have CLB 7 in all four language skills.
- Apply within 180 days of receiving your final grades.
- You have not already received a PGWP (PGWP is a one‑time permit).
Required Documents
- Credential Completion Letter (CCL) or Senate Letter
- Final transcript (unofficial copy accepted)
- Valid passport (covering the full 3-year period)
- Digital photograph (meeting IRCC specifications)
- Language test results
- Letter of explanation (if required)
Important: Your study permit becomes invalid 90 days after your program is completed or on the printed expiry date—whichever comes first.
Resources:
New PGWP Requirements (Effective November 1, 2024)
All PGWP applications submitted on or after November 1, 2024 must meet these two new requirements:
- Language proficiency requirement – all applicants.
- Field of study requirement – only for certain non-degree programs.
- If you complete a degree program at SFU (Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD), you do not need to meet the field of study requirement.
How to meet the language requirement
- Your language test results must be less than 2 years old at the time you submit your PGWP application.
- Accepted tests: CELPIP-G, IELTS-G, PTE Core, TEF Canada, TCF Canada.
- Minimum score: CLB/NCLC 7 in all skills
- Check equivalency charts to confirm the score you need.
Tip: Book your test early—results can take several weeks.
When should I apply for PGWP?
You can submit your PGWP application only after your Credential Completion Letter becomes available, confirming that you have completed all program requirements. Your study permit validity and the deadline to apply for a PGWP are calculated from the date your Letter of Completion is first issued, not from your degree conferral or graduation ceremony.
How can I access/download my Credential Completion Letter?
You may apply for a PGWP using either your Credential Completion Letter (CCL) or your Senate Letter. The CCL becomes available once the Office of Graduate Studies has received and processed the Degree Recommendation from your program. It must be manually downloaded from goSFU, and you will not receive an automatic notification when it is posted.
The Senate Letter will be emailed to your SFU email account after your degree is officially awarded by the Senate. Please note that the CCL is available earlier, and you will no longer be able to access it once the Senate Letter is issued. We strongly recommend downloading your CCL as soon as it becomes available and keeping a copy for your records.
PGWP Application Timelines
If you’re inside Canada: apply within 90 days of when your written confirmation of program completion (e.g. your credential completion letter) first becomes available, and while your study permit is still valid — whichever comes first.
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 are not 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’re applying from outside Canada: you have 180 days from the date your final grades are released, and your study permit must not have expired more than 180 days ago.
To align with IRCC’s Program Delivery Instructions, we recommend counting the 180-day period from the date your final grades are released, as grades are typically issued before your Credential Completion Letter or Senate Letter. If requested, you are responsible for demonstrating when your final grades were issued and when you were first officially notified of your program completion (e.g., Credential Completion Letter, Senate Letter).
To see details on how can I apply for my PGWP within Canada?
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 after your degree is awarded by the Senate Available to you once the office of Graduate Studies 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.
- You must have a valid study permit to apply for a PGWP from inside Canada. Remember that your study permit expires 90 days after your program completion (or on the printed expiry date, whichever comes first). If you are under maintained status (e.g. you apply to extend your study permit or change your status to visitor before your permit expires), you cannot apply from inside Canada. Contact an International Student Advisor, Immigration Specialist if you are unsure how this affects your application.
- Review our Applying for a Post-Graduation Work Permit handout and Applying for a Post-Graduation Work Permit guide for instructions about how to apply for a PGWP in Canada, tips on completing the application form and the required supporting documents.
Tips for Submitting Your Application
- Submit your PGWP application online through the IRCC secure account.
- Review the 2 SFU ISS PGWP instruction guides for instructions about how to apply for a PGWP within Canada.
- Name your documents clearly using this format:
Last Name, First Name_Document Name
Example: Smith, ABC_Passport; Smith, ABC_Digital Photo.
This helps ensure your documents are easy to identify. - It is strongly recommended to include a cover letter summarizing your eligibility for the post-graduation work permit. In case you don't meet any of the criteria, use the same cover letter to explain your unique circumstances and that you are seeking approval of your PGWP application. You can upload your cover letter/letter of explanation (along with other relevant documents) under the "Optional Documents" section of your online application under "Client Information".
- Upload your language test results in the Client Information section. The system does not request these automatically due to current IRCC system limitations.
- Keep a copy of the uploaded documents (including the application form) for future reference.
- Monitor your inbox for any updates/request from the IRCC.
What should I consider while submitting my PGWP application?
- Check the validity of your study permit. Remember that your study permit expires 90 days after your program completion (or on the printed expiry date, whichever comes first).
- Check your passport expiry date as the post-graduation work permit will not be issued beyond the validity of your passport.
- To maintain your status in Canada, you must submit your application before 11:59 p.m. Coordinated Universal Time (UTC)—not local time—on the day your study permit becomes invalid and within 90 days of your Letter of Completion becoming available, whichever comes first.
- Review and customize your own post-graduation work permit timeline.
The PGWP cannot be issued beyond the validity of your passport. If your passport is not valid for 3 years, you can consider the following options:
- Have your passport renewed before applying for your PGWP. Check with your embassy or consulate to find out how early you may renew your passport.
- If you can’t renew your passport in time, you may apply on paper later to extend your PGWP to get the full length after your passport is renewed. It is advisable to include a cover letter explaining why you cannot renew your passport with your original PGWP application.
Eligibility to work before submission of PGWP application
- Yes, you can work before applying for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) if you were eligible to work off-campus during your final term of study. This means:
- You can continue to work up to 24 hours per week until you receive your credential completion letter (CCL), which you can access via goSFU.
- Your study permit must remain valid during this period.
- You must stop working once you receive your CCL. Keep in mind that you won't get an automatic notification when it becomes available, so you need to manually check and download this letter from goSFU.
Eligibility to work after submission of PGWP application
After submitting your PGWP application, you may start working full-time if you meet specific eligibility requirements set by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) as mentioned below:
- You had a valid study permit while submitting your application. Please note that your study permit remains valid for 90 days after the Credential Completion Letter is issued, or until the actual expiry date whicver comes early.
- You were eligible to work off-campus without a work permit during your studies.
- You did not work off campus for more than 24 hours per week during academic sessions (or more than 20 hours per week before Nov 8, 2024, unless you were eligible to work more under the temporary policies).
Review our Next Steps After Graduation Timeline for information about work eligibility after completing your studies.
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 show them?
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.
Upon submission of the PGWP application, IRCC will issue the Submission Confirmation Letter (Acknowledgement of Receipt).
You may also receive an Interim Proof of Work Letter (IMM 0127 E – WP-EXT for PGWP). The Interim Proof of Work Letter generally has a validity of 180 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 180-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. This means that even if you haven’t received your Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) by the date indicated on the letter, you are still authorized to continue working—as long as your PGWP application is in progress and you continue to meet the eligibility criteria.
If you or your employer need confirmation of your authorization to work, you can request it through the IRCC Webform. 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 irrespective of receiving the Interim Proof of Work Letter.
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.
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);
- Acknowledgement of Receipt for your Post-Graduate Work Permit application. You will receive this document after submitting your application. It can be downloaded by logging into your IRCC secure account.
Note that a Border Services Officer will make the final decision on whether you are eligible to enter Canada. If the officer has any questions, you must be able to demonstrate that you have a valid reason for entering the country. 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.
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
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 applied for your PGWP from inside Canada, your approved work permit will be mailed to the address you provided in your application. If your address changes while your application is being processed, make sure to update IRCC through the webform.
After you receive your PGWP:
- Extend your BCMSP if you are continuing to live in B.C. If you have moved to another province, review that province’s health coverage eligibility requirements.
- Extend your SIN.
- Apply for or extend your TRV if you are from a visa-required country.
According to the Academic Dates calendar, the next Convocation ceremony will be held between June 8-12, 2026. Friends and family who wish to attend in Canada may need to apply for a visitor visa (unless they are from a visa-exempt country). An invitation letter from you can help demonstrate their intent to travel when they apply for a visa.
SFU does not issue invitation letters, but you can use the template in our “Inviting Family/Friends to Visit” guide, customize it, and share it with your family or friends. The guide also provides full steps for applying for a visitor visa or Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). Here are some resources to help them prepare for their visit to Canada:
- Visit the IRCC website about visiting 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.
- Visit the Government of Canada website to review the most up to date travel and entry requirements for Canada.
Will my eligibility for the PGWP be impacted if I studied part time or took time off during my SFU Program?
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, you should 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 was unable to maintain full-time enrollment during the pandemic (March - August 2020). How will this affect my PGWP application?
It is important to keep in mind how COVID-19 may impact the eligibility and processing of your PGWP. Temporary policies that are specific to the PGWP can be found in the headings below.
Enrollment status in the Spring 2020 & Summer 2020 terms
Visit this section of IRCC 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 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 in each academic term(with possible exceptions being made in the final term of study or an authorized leave of upto 150 days) to qualify for a PGWP.
Remote learning in and outside Canada : Note that there are different policies regarding remote learning outside and inside Canada. See below for more information
Outside Canada:
Special measures between March 1, 2020, and August 31, 2022
Students who were enrolled in PGWP-eligible programs in March 2020, or who started a program of study between March 1, 2020 and August 31, 2022, do not have to complete 50% of their program (or programs) of study in Canada. It is possible for them to complete up to 100% of their program outside of Canada. It is important to note that time spent studying outside Canada will only count toward the overall duration of the PGWP until August 31, 2024. Full details can be read here.
Reduced facilitation measures between September 1, 2022, and August 31, 2024
All students who started their program of study between September 1, 2022, and August 31, 2024, are required to complete at least 50% of their program (or programs) of study in Canada. Students of this group will be able to count time spent studying outside of Canada toward the length of the PGWP only if it is less than 50% of the overall program until August 31, 2024. Full details can be read here.
Inside Canada
When a student's courses were moved online due to the pandemic, the time they spent studying online in Canada until August 31, 2024 will be counted toward the length of the PGWP. The temporary policy for in-Canada students studying online ends on August 31, 2024. Full details can be read here.
I’m awaiting a decision on my study permit extension, or it will expire before I can apply for my PGWP. How should I proceed with my PGWP?
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 for PGWP while waiting for a decision on study permit extension application (maintained status)
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 will not be eligible to apply for PGWP from inside Canada. Please also note that if you apply for PGWP on a maintained status you will not be eligible to work until your PGWP is approved and issued.
If you are in this situation, please connect with an International Student Advisor, Immigration Specialist to discuss how to approach a PGWP application.
Option 2: Apply to change your status to visitor
As a foreign national, you must maintain valid status both while studying and after completing your program. If your study permit will expire after finishing your program but before you receive your credential completion letter, you can apply to change your status to that of a visitor. To do so, you must apply for a visitor record.
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. Please also note that if you apply for PGWP as a visitor, you will not be eligible to work until a decision is made on the 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 completing your studies at SFU. To be eligible to apply for a PGWP from outside Canada, in most cases, 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).
If you would be applying for your PGWP from outside of Canada,please read guide 5487 – applying for a work permit outside Canada.
Applying together with PGWP application submission |
After submitting the PGWP application |
Your spouse can include their SOWP application at the same time you apply for your Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) if the following criteria is met:
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If you do not have a job offer when submitting your PGWP (Post-Graduation Work Permit) application, you cannot include an open work permit application for your spouse or common-law partner at that time. Once you secure a qualifying job offer, you’ll need to meet the following additional requirements to apply for your spouse or partner to apply for an open work permit:
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If you have questions about your PGWP or post-graduation plans, contact International Student Advising and Programs (ISAP):