Stay in Canada after Graduation

If you would like to stay in Canada after graduation to gain work experience, the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) enables you to remain in Canada for up to three years after graduation, depending on the level and length of your study program.

Please review our uLethbridge PGWP application guide for step-by-step instructions and helpful tips. 
 

Note: As part of the changes to the PGWP program announced on September 18, 2024, we recommend that you review the information below to ensure you are meeting the PGWP requirements specific to your situation:

• If you submitted your study permit application before November 1, 2024, and will be applying for the PGWP after November 1, 2024, you must also include proof of language ability.
   
• If you submit your study permit application after November 1, 2024, and will be applying for the PGWP after November 1, 2024, you must meet the new requirements depending on your situation:
   
  • If you graduated from a university bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or doctoral degree program:
    • Language requirement: You must prove your English or French language skills with a minimum level of Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) 7 in English or (NCLC) 7 in French in all 4 language areas.
    • Field of study requirement: All fields of study are eligible. There is no additional field of study requirement.
       
  • If you graduated from any other university program:
    • Language requirement: You must prove your English or French language skills with a minimum level of CLB 7 in English or NCLC 7 in French in all 4 language areas.
    • Field of study requirement: You must graduate in an eligible field of study.

If you are not eligible for a PGWP, you may still be able to work in Canada after graduation. For more information look here.

If you are interested in staying in Canada permanently, IRCC has a number of pathways to becoming a permanent resident you can explore online here.

Federally, the Express Entry system manages immigration application streams from “skilled workers”. To be eligible through Express Entry streams, you must have “skilled work” experience in a TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 position as classified through the National Occupation Classification (NOC) system.

Provincially, the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) is an economic immigration program that nominates people for permanent residence in Alberta and has many worker application streams that you can explore. Most occupations under National Occupation Classification (NOC) system’s TEER Categories 0, 1, 2, 3 4 and 5 are eligible under the AAIP streams. Be sure to check the AAIP’s list of ineligible occupations.

There are 3 immigration programs managed through Express Entry:

• Canadian Experience Class Program: For skilled workers who have Canadian work experience and want to become permanent residents.
• Federal Skilled Worker Program: For skilled workers with foreign work experience who want to immigrate to Canada permanently.
• Federal Skilled Trades Program: For skilled workers who want to become permanent residents based on being qualified in a skilled trade.

The most common Express Entry stream for international students, who completed a program at uLethbridge, have a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) and are gaining skilled work experience in Canada is the Canadian Experience Class.

Note: Self-employment and work experience gained while you were a full-time student (even if you were on a co-op work term) doesn’t count towards the minimum requirements for the Canadian Experience Class.

We recommend that you use the “Come to Canada – skilled immigrant tool” to double check your eligibility for Express Entry streams.

If you meet the eligibility requirements for an Express Entry stream, you can check your approximate Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score using this online tool.

The AAIP is Alberta’s provincial nominee program for permanent residence and has 4 streams that eligible individuals can apply through to be nominated to work and live in Alberta permanently.

• Alberta Opportunity Stream (AOS)
• Alberta Express Entry Stream (AEE)
• Tourism and Hospitality Stream
• Rural Renewal Stream (RRS) - Learn more about the Rural Renewal Program on the Economic Development Lethbridge website.

The most common AAIP stream for international students, who completed a program at uLethbridge and have a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) is the Alberta Opportunity Stream.

Note: AAIP streams are not direct applications for Permanent Residency. If you meet the AAIP stream requirements, you can apply to AAIP to be “nominated” by the province of Alberta. Once you are a provincial nominee, you can apply for Permanent Residency through IRCC.