Graduated in Quebec: your PGWP and your path to staying

Graduating in Quebec opens two questions at once: how do I keep working here, and how do I stay for good? For many graduates, the answer is a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) now and a Quebec selection program next. The order matters, and so do a few dates that are easy to miss.

Before your last exam

• Check your PGWP eligibility: school, program, full-time study, the share of your program completed in class in Canada, language level and, if it applies to you, field of study. Our PGWP checklist walks through each one.
• Book your language test if you do not have a valid result: CLB 7 or NCLC 7 for university programs, CLB 5 or NCLC 5 for college programs, in all four skills.
• Check your passport. A PGWP is only issued for the period your passport is valid.

When your final grades come out

Ask your school for the written confirmation that you completed your program, usually a letter or your final transcript. That document starts your 180-day window to apply. Apply while your study permit is still valid if you can: it affects whether you may work while your application is processed.

Filing an application does not, by itself, authorize you to work. Some graduates can work full time while they wait, but only if specific conditions are met. Check them before you start a job.

How long your PGWP will be

A PGWP can be valid for up to three years. For programs shorter than two years, it generally matches the length of the program. Under current rules, master's graduates can get a three-year permit even if their program was shorter than two years, provided they meet the other requirements. If your permit was shortened because your passport expired, IRCC has a process to extend it once you have a new passport, under certain conditions.

You only get one PGWP in your lifetime, so a second diploma will not give you a second permit.

While you work: plan the permanent move

A PGWP is temporary. Use it to qualify for permanent residence, and keep an eye on Quebec's programs:

• Quebec Experience Program (PEQ). Designed for Quebec graduates and temporary workers with Quebec experience. Quebec reopened it from July 2, 2026 to July 2, 2028, but the current intake period for applications, for both streams, runs from July 2 to October 31, 2026. According to Quebec's page, the diploma or work experience had to be obtained as of November 19, 2025. See our PEQ page and check the details on quebec.ca.
• Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ). You submit a free expression of interest in Arrima and wait for an invitation. Our guide to how Arrima works explains the timelines.

Both lead to a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ), followed by a permanent residence application to IRCC. Meanwhile, keep everything that proves your path: transcripts, diplomas, employer letters describing your duties, and French test results. French matters a great deal in Quebec selection, so working on it during your PGWP is rarely wasted time.

Your spouse

Your PGWP is issued to you. Your spouse does not automatically get a work permit because of it; their eligibility depends on the rules for family members of foreign workers, which can change.

Frequently asked questions

Can I extend my PGWP when it expires?

Not just because it is ending. The main extension IRCC allows is for a permit that was shortened by passport expiry. Otherwise, you need another basis to stay and work, which is why planning your permanent residence early matters.

What if I lose my job?

A PGWP is an open work permit, not tied to one employer. You can look for another job while it is valid.

Does a PGWP lead automatically to permanent residence?

No. Permanent residence requires a separate application under a program you qualify for, such as the PEQ or the PSTQ in Quebec.

Official sources

Official pages consulted on October 11, 2026:

• IRCC — About the post-graduation work permit
• IRCC — PGWP: who can apply
• Québec — Quebec Experience Program (French)