Apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit

Recommended: Apply from within Canada within 90 days of confirmation of program completion AND while your study permit is still valid. May be eligible to work after application submission if met all conditions. In this scenario, you need to ensure your study permit is valid until your program is audited at the end of May, September, or January (depending on your completion date).

OR

Apply within 180 days of confirmation of degree completion, have previously held a valid study permit, and one of the following:

• Applied for visitor status before your study permit became invalid
• Applied to restore your temporary resident status
• Apply from outside of Canada

*In these 3 scenarios, an applicant may not work until their work permit application is approved and issued. 

NOTE: The 90-day or 180-day period begins when your degree is officially audited and approved in the Trent University Senate (date will be noted on unofficial transcript once approved) not the date of your convocation ceremony.

• Completion of studies letter
• An official transcript/unofficial transcript obtained after degree is audited
• Valid passport (biographical page and any page with visas, stamps, markings) and copy of study permit 
• Digital photo
• Biometrics if you have not submitted them within the last 10 years
• A medical exam in some circumstances (if you have lived in a Designated Country for more than 6 months in the last year/if you want to work in some medical/research fields)
• Application form IMM5710

You must wait until your program is officially audited to obtain your completion letter and download your final unofficial transcript. These are the documents you require from Trent University to apply for PGWP.

Degrees and Certificates are audited 3 times per year: the 2-3 week of May, September and January. 

$255.00CAD for application
$85.00CAD biometrics fee, if applicable

Applicants can work full-time until IRCC makes a decision on their work permit application if they:

• had a valid study permit when submitted PGWP application (note: study permit only remains valid for 90-days after program completion)
• completed their study program
• were eligible to work off campus without a work permit while studying and did not work more hours than permitted

If these conditions apply to you and you need to prove to an employer that you are permitted to work, provide the employer with a copy of all the required documents.

If these conditions do not apply to you, you must wait until your work permit arrives to begin work. It’s illegal to work in Canada without authorization.

If your application is refused you must stop working the day IRCC notifies you.

Find more information on the IRCC website.