Study and Post-Graduation Work Permits
Study Permits
Once you receive your formal Letter of Acceptance (LOA) and Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) you are ready to apply for your study permit and other travel documentation. This can include:
- A Study Permit issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
- All students studying for longer than six months are required to apply for a study permit. Visit Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada for more information about Canadian study permits. Apply for your study permit online.
- An Electronic Travel Authorization
- All visa-exempt foreign nationals (except U.S. citizens and certain other small groups) travelling to, or transiting through, Canada by air need to apply for an electronic travel authorization (eTA). Apply for your eTA online.
For more information about what you need prior to your arrival in Canada, please visit the government of Canada’s education site, EduCanada, and the WelcomeBC website.
Submit Proof of Your Study Permit
You will need to submit a colour-scanned copy of your study permit by the deadline for the start of your first term.
| Term Start | Deadline for Submission |
|---|---|
| January | December 1 |
| May | April 1 |
| September | August 1 |
Scanned documents should be sent to the Office of International Affairs with your name and student number.
Working While Studying
As of November 8, 2024, eligible students can work off campus up to 24 hours per week without a work permit. Additional information regarding eligibility requirements to work while studying in Canada can be found on the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada webpage.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) does not limit the number of hours you can work on campus during regular academic terms or regular scheduled breaks.
Your study permit must include conditions allowing you to work during your studies. If eligible, you don’t need a separate work permit.
⚠️ Important: Make sure you meet the requirements before working. Starting work without eligibility may result in having to leave Canada.
How Many Hours You Can Work Off Campus
During regular school terms or semesters:
- You can work up to 24 hours per week, across one or multiple jobs, as long as you meet your study permit conditions.
During scheduled breaks (e.g., winter/summer holidays, reading week):
- You can work unlimited hours if you are a full-time student before and after the break.
- You can take part-time or full-time courses during the break without affecting your ability to work unlimited hours.
If your program has no scheduled breaks:
- You are limited to 24 hours per week.
⚠️ Working more than the allowed hours violates your study permit and could result in loss of student status, future permit denial, or removal from Canada.
Post-Graduation Work Permit
A post-graduation work permit (PGWP) allows international students who have graduated from eligible programs at certain Canadian post-secondary institutions to gain valuable Canadian work experience.
Upon completing an eligible program of at least 8 months in length, you may apply for a PGWP to work full-time in Canada for up to three years after graduation. You don’t need a job offer to apply and can work anywhere in Canada in any occupation.
Recent updates:
- June 21, 2024: PGWP applicants can no longer apply at the Canada-US border through “flagpoling”.
- September 18, 2024: IRCC announced several changes for temporary residents including new language proficiency requirements for PGWP applications and limiting work permit eligibility to spouses of workers in management or professional occupations or in sectors with labour shortages.
Eligibility Criteria
You can determine your eligibility by meeting all requirements listed on the Government of Canada website.
Visit the programs for international students to see how our programs align with eligible fields of study.
How to Apply for a PGWP
If you want to work in Canada after you graduate, find out what documents you need to prepare to apply for a PGWP.
You have up to 180 days after you graduate to apply for a PGWP. Review the information and instruction guide before applying for your work permit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Eligible programs are listed with the programs for international students. These are all full-time programs, offered on-campus, that qualify international students for study and post-graduation work permits upon completion.
You may apply for a post-graduation work permit from within Canada if you have a valid temporary status. If your study permit is expiring soon after the completion of your program, we strongly recommend you apply for a study permit extension to ask for an additional three months. You should include a Letter of Explanation to support your application for a short study permit extension so that you have enough time to apply for a PGWP.
Graduates who apply for a post-graduation work permit before the expiry of their study permit are eligible to work full-time without a work permit while waiting for a decision on their application if meeting all requirements.
If you have applied for your study permit extension before its expiry, you are under maintained status. You are NOT authorized to work after you submit your PGWP application while on implied status. You will be able to work after your PGWP application is approved.
Have questions? Talk to an International Student Advisor
Contact the Office of International Affairs
Email