Post-graduation Work Permit

What is Post-graduation Work Permit?

The post-graduation work permit program is designed to provide graduating students with Canadian work experience. Students may work in Canada for up to three years after graduation.

How does length of study in Canada impact length of my work permit?

When do I have to apply?

If you would like to obtain a Post-graduation Work Permit, you have to apply within 90 days after receiving your final marks, or when you receive a formal written notification of graduation from the institution, which is eligible for Post-graduation Work Permit.

What documents do I need for application?

• Application to Change Conditions, Extend My Stay, or Remain in Canada (download here)
• Photocopies of passport pages;
• Final transcript from your educational institution;
• A letter from the institution confirming you are eligible to apply for Post-graduation Work Permit;
• Formal notification of graduation;
• Payment of fees (see up-to-date list of fees here) online (see step-by-step process here)

How can Working Holiday visa holders extend their Work Permit?

Are you in Canada as a Working Holiday Visa holder and you wish to stay longer? There are basically two options how you can extend your work stay, for both of them, you will need a job offer from Canadian employer.

If you were offered a job from Canadian employer you have already worked for, you can either stay in Canada or apply for Work Permit extension or you can go back to your home country and apply for Working Holiday Visas under different program – Young Professionals.

Should I apply for Work Permit extension in Canada or for program Young Professional in my home country?

If you are applying for Work permit extension in Canada, you will need HRSDC confirmation and LMO (Labour Market Opinion). Basically, before your Work Permit Application process will even start, Canadian Labour Office has to approve, that you are eligible for this work and that no Canadian can be accepted to this position. It usually takes 4 months to process the application; however, if you apply at least 1 month prior to your WHV expiration, you can automatically stay within the country under same conditions by the time your application is being processed.

If you go back to your home country (Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland or Spain) but you have a detailed job offer letter from your employer and you fulfill other Working Holiday Visa conditions, you can apply for another one-year Work Permit under Young Professional scheme. You will not need LMO and therefore, it might be easier for you to get a work permit for another year. It takes approximately 4 to 8 weeks to process your application and you have to go back to your home country.

What documents will I need for my Work Permit Extension?

• Job offer letter from the employer giving job title, wages and working conditions and the file number provided by HRSDC (your employer provides you with this document);
• A photocopy of HRSDC confirmation (if applicable);
• Proof of identity (photocopy of passport);
• Proof of current status in Canada (photocopy of visa);
• Application to Change Conditions, Extend My Stay, or Remain in Canada (download here) if you are not changing your visa status and applying from Canada;
• Payment of fees (see up-to-date list of fees here) online (see step-by-step process here)
• To ensure you have all necessary documents, see Document Checklist

What documents will I need and what requirements do I have to meet for application under Young Professional scheme?

Requirements:

• be between the ages of 18 and 35 on the date the application is made;
• be a Czech, Slovakian, Polish or Spanish citizen holding a machine-readable passport. Its validity must exceed the period of stay in Canada granted by your Work Permit;
• present preliminary return travel arrangements;
• reside in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland or Spain;
• have a clean criminal record;
• have professional work experience or be a graduate from a post-secondary academic institution;
• have the financial resources necessary for your support at the beginning of your stay;
• have taken out comprehensive insurance coverage that is valid for the duration of your stay, and prove that you have insurance for health care, including hospitalization and repatriation, for the duration of your stay;
• show that you have obtained either a job under a contract of employment or a work placement under a work placement agreement in your field if the placement is in a business.

Documents required:

• fully completed application form (PDF) and additional family information (PDF);
• completed and signed IEC form;
• 2 passport-sized photos;
• original and copy of your machine-readable passport;
• recent police certificate;
• current CV
• Documentation showing your planned travel arrangements (flight ticket reservation etc.);
• documentation showing that you have at least one year of professional work experience or documentation showing that you have graduated from a post-secondary institution;
• Documentation showing that you have funds of at least $2 500 CAD or equivalent in your currency for the beginning of your stay in Canada. This proof of funds may take the form of:
  • recent bank statement showing the balance available; and/or
  • proof that you have a scholarship (the document must indicate the amount); and/or
  • recent bank statement of your parent and a letter signed by him/her giving you full access to the account;
• Copy of your pre-arranged contract of paid employment, signed and on letter-head. This document must specify the dates, duration, salary and duties related to your job;
• original proof that the participation fee;

If your application is approved, you will need insurance.