Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) & LMIA Work Permit Requirements & Roadmap
Country: Canada•Consular update: July 2026
Visa Fee$155 USD
Average SLA / Duration8 Weeks (7 to 12 weeks)
Approval Index76% Approval
Eligibility Requirements
Completion of an eligible DLI degree program (up to 3 years PGWP for Masters graduates; college diplomas must align with national shortage occupations), or a valid job offer with positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
Documents Checklist Drawer
Official graduation completion letter and transcript from a PGWP-eligible DLI (or positive LMIA confirmation)
Valid passport with valid legal status in Canada
Proof of language proficiency (CLB 7 for university grads, CLB 5 for college grads under latest rules)
Digital biometric photos and Police Clearance Certificates
Step-by-Step Filing Roadmap
1
Complete course requirements and obtain official graduation letter from your DLI within 180 days.
2
Submit online PGWP / Work Permit application on the IRCC portal.
3
Maintain legal maintained (implied) status and work full-time while application is processed.
4
Pay processing fee of CAD 155 (plus CAD 100 Open Work Permit holder fee).
5
Receive physical Work Permit document in the mail with unrestricted Canadian work authorization.
Core Rejection Reasons
- •Applying outside the mandatory 180-day window following completion of studies.
- •Taking unapproved unauthorized breaks or studying part-time during mandatory academic semesters.
- •Employer failing to prove lack of local Canadian candidates for LMIA applications.
Guide Navigation
1. Fees and Processing Times2. Eligibility Benchmarks3. Necessary Checklist files4. Roadmap Steps5. Refusal Prevention
Interactive AI Help
Need advice on Canada policies?
Chat with our AI Advisor pre-grounded in Canada immigration criteria and GIC parameters.