International students who wish to work in Canada after completing their studies may qualify for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). This work permit is an open work permit allowing you to work for any employer.

The Canadian government grants this permit through Immigration, Refugees & Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

An application must be submitted within 180 days of completing your program, and your study permit is valid at some point during this period.

PGWP eligibility changes

On July 4, 2025, IRCC announced that the 178 fields of study that were removed on June 25, 2025 will be added back to the PGWP eligibility list. Students who submitted their study permit applications between June 25, 2025 – July 4, 2025 under one of these fields of study will maintain eligibility for the PGWP program.

To confirm if the CIP code assigned to your study program is PGWP eligible, please use this tool on the IRCC website.

PGWP eligibility

To be eligible for a PGWP, you must meet the following criteria:

  • You have maintained full-time status as a student in Canada during each semester of your program (except your scheduled break and final semester, which can be part-time or if you took an authorized leave from studies.)
  • You have a valid study permit (or a study permit that was valid at some point in the last 180 days since you completed your program.)*

❗️Your PGWP validity date can never extend past the date of your passport validity. Make sure your passport is valid for the entire length of time you should be eligible.

English language proficiency requirement

Under the new PGWP eligibility requirements, graduates will also be required to take a recognized immigration language test, achieve a minimum of Canadian Language Benchmark level 5 (for diploma and certificate programs) or Benchmark level 7 (for degree programs) and submit the test results as part of their application. Test results are valid for two years after the test date.

Eligible field of study requirement

The second new requirement for PGWP eligibility is that international students must graduate from an eligible field of study that falls into one of the following five broad categories:

  • agriculture and agri-food
  • healthcare
  • science/technology/engineering/mathematics
  • trade
  • transport

As a student, it is your responsibility to understand and meet the full eligibility requirements.

*As many students attended their program online from outside of Canada due to COVID-19, eligible students can apply for a PGWP from outside Canada as long as they’ve been approved for a study permit. For more information on outside-Canada graduates, please see the IRCC eligibility.

The SAIT programs listed below are eligible for PGWP and currently meet IRCC's requirements. This list is accurate as of Monday, July 7, 2025, and may be revised to include more programs, so check back regularly.

SAIT programs that are PGWP eligible as of June 27, 2025.
Program Credential Intakes CIP Code CIP Classification
Advanced Care Paramedic Diploma Winter, Fall 51.0904 Emergency medical technology/technician (EMT paramedic)
Aircraft Maintenance Engineers Technology Diploma Fall, Winter, Spring 47.0607 Airframe mechanics and aircraft maintenance technology/technician
Aircraft Structures Technician Certificate Fall, Winter 47.0607 Airframe mechanics and aircraft maintenance technology/technician
Avionics Technology Diploma Fall, Spring 47.0609 Avionics maintenance technology/technician
Bachelor of Applied Business Administration Applied Degree Spring, Fall, Winter 52.0301 Accounting
Bachelor of Applied Technology Geographic Information Systems Applied Degree Fall, Winter, Spring 45.0702 Geographic information science and cartography
Bachelor of Applied Technology in Petroleum Engineering Applied Degree Winter, Fall 14.2501 Petroleum engineering
Bachelor of Business Administration - Accounting Bachelor's Degree Fall 52.0301 Accounting
Bachelor of Business Administration - Financial Services Bachelor's Degree Fall 52.0804 Financial planning and services
Bachelor of Business Administration - Financial Technology and Innovation Bachelor's Degree Fall 30.7104 Financial analytics
Bachelor of Business Administration - Human Resource Management Bachelor's Degree Fall 52.1001 Human resources management/personnel administration
Bachelor of Business Administration - Management Bachelor's Degree Fall 52.0201 Business administration and management
Bachelor of Business Administration - Marketing Bachelor's Degree Fall 52.1401 Marketing/marketing management
Bachelor of Business Administration - Supply Chain Management Bachelor's Degree Fall 52.0203 Logistics, materials, and supply chain management
Bachelor of Hospitality and Tourism Management Bachelor's Degree Fall 52.0901 Hospitality administration/management
Bachelor of Science Construction Project Management Bachelor's Degree Fall, Winter, Spring 52.2002 Construction project management
Bachelor of Technology - Cyber Security Bachelor's Degree Fall 11.1003 Computer and information systems security/auditing/information assurance
Bachelor of Technology - Software Development Bachelor's Degree Fall 11.0201 Computer programming/programmer, general
Business Administration - Supply Chain Management Diploma Fall, Winter, Spring 52.0203 Logistics, materials, and supply chain management
Butchery and Charcuterie Management Certificate Winter 12.0506 Meat cutting/meat cutter
Civil Engineering Technology - Construction Management major Diploma Fall, Winter 15.0201 Civil engineering technology/technician
Civil Engineering Technology - Municipal major Diploma Fall, Winter 15.0201 Civil engineering technology/technician
Civil Engineering Technology - Virtual Design and Construction major Diploma Fall, Winter 15.0201 Civil engineering technology/technician
Culinary Arts Diploma Fall, Winter 12.0500 Cooking and related culinary arts, general
Cyber Security for Control Systems Post-Diploma Certificate Spring, Fall 11.0901 Computer systems networking and telecommunications
Data Analytics Post-Diploma Certificate Fall, Winter, Spring 30.7101 Data analytics, general
Database Administrator Certificate Fall 11.0802 Data modelling/warehousing and database administration
Early Childhood Education Certificate Fall 19.0709 Child care provider/assistant
Early Childhood Education Diploma Fall 19.0708 Child care and support services management
Electrical Engineering Technology Diploma Fall, Winter, Spring 15.0303 Electrical, electronic and communications engineering technology/technician
Electrical Trade and Technology Diploma Fall 46.0302 Electrician
Electronics Engineering Technology Diploma Fall 15.0303 Electrical, electronic and communications engineering technology/technician
Environmental Technology Diploma Fall 15.0507 Environmental/environmental engineering technology/technician
Information Systems Security Diploma Winter, Spring, Fall 11.1003 Computer and information systems security/information assurance
Information Technology Services Diploma Winter, Spring, Fall 11.1002 System, networking and LAN/WAN management/manager
Integrated Artificial Intelligence Post-Diploma Certificate Spring, Fall 30.7001 Data science, general
Integrated Water Management Diploma Fall 03.0205 Water, wetlands and marine resources management
Interactive Design - Graphic Design Diploma Fall, Winter, Spring 50.0409 Graphic design
Interactive Design - User Experience Diploma Fall, Winter, Spring 11.0105 Human-centred technology design
Interactive Design - Web Design and Development Diploma Fall, Winter, Spring 11.0801 Web page, digital/multimedia and information resources design
Machining Technology Diploma Fall 48.0501 Machine tool technology/machinist
Mechanical Engineering Technology Diploma Fall, Winter 15.0805 Mechanical/mechanical engineering technology/technician
Medical Laboratory Technology Diploma Fall 51.1005 Clinical laboratory science/medical technology/technologist
Medical Radiologic Technology Diploma Fall 51.0911 Radiologic technology/science - radiographer
Network Systems Specialist Certificate Fall 11.0901 Computer systems networking and telecommunications
Nuclear Medicine Technology Diploma Fall 51.0905 Nuclear medical technology/technologist
Object Oriented Software Development Certificate Fall, Spring 15.1204 Computer software technology/technician
Ophthalmic and Optometric Assisting Certificate Winter, Fall 51.1802 Optometric technician/assistant
Pharmacy Assistant Certificate Winter 51.0805 Pharmacy technician/assistant
Power and Process Operations Certificate Winter 47.0303 Industrial mechanics and maintenance technology
Primary Care Paramedic Certificate Fall 51.081 Emergency care attendant (EMT ambulance)
Rehabilitation Therapy Assistant Diploma Fall 51.2399 Rehabilitation and therapeutic professions, other
Respiratory Therapy Diploma Fall 51.0908 Respiratory care therapy/therapist
Software Development Diploma Winter, Spring, Fall 11.0201 Computer programming/programmer, general
Transport and Heavy Equipment Technology Diploma Winter, Fall 47.0302 Heavy equipment maintenance technology/technician
Welding and Fabrication Technology Diploma Winter, Fall 48.0508 Welding technology/welder
Welding Engineering Technology Diploma Fall 15.0614 Welding engineering technology/technician

The SAIT programs listed below are eligible for PGWP and currently meet IRCC's requirements. This list is accurate as of Friday, May 30, 2025, and may be revised to include more programs, so check back regularly.

SAIT programs that are PGWP eligible as of Nov. 1, 2024.
Program Credential Intakes CIP Code CIP Classification
Advanced Care Paramedic Diploma Winter, Fall 51.0904 Emergency medical technology/technician (EMT paramedic)
Aircraft Maintenance Engineers Technology Diploma Winter, Spring, Fall 47.0607 Airframe mechanics and aircraft maintenance technology/technician
Aircraft Structures Technician Certificate Winter, Fall 47.0607 Airframe mechanics and aircraft maintenance technology/technician
Avionics Technology Diploma Spring, Fall 47.0609 Avionics maintenance technology/technician
Bachelor of Applied Business Administration Applied Degree Spring, Fall, Winter 52.0301 Accounting
Bachelor of Applied Technology Geographic Information Systems Applied Degree Spring, Fall, Winter 45.0702 Geographic information science and cartography
Bachelor of Applied Technology in Petroleum Engineering Applied Degree Winter, Fall 14.2501 Petroleum engineering
Bachelor of Business Administration - Accounting Bachelor's Degree Fall 52.0301 Accounting
Bachelor of Business Administration - Financial Services Bachelor's Degree Fall 52.0804 Financial planning and services
Bachelor of Business Administration - Financial Technology and Innovation Bachelor's Degree Fall 30.7104 Financial analytics
Bachelor of Business Administration - Human Resource Management Bachelor's Degree Fall 52.1001 Human resources management/personnel administration
Bachelor of Business Administration - Management Bachelor's Degree Fall 52.0201 Business administration and management
Bachelor of Business Administration - Marketing Bachelor's Degree Fall 52.1401 Marketing/marketing management
Bachelor of Business Administration - Supply Chain Management Bachelor's Degree Fall 52.0203 Logistics, materials, and supply chain management
Bachelor of Hospitality and Tourism Management Bachelor's Degree Fall 52.0901 Hospitality administration/management
Bachelor of Science Construction Project Management Bachelor's Degree Spring, Fall, Winter 52.2001 Construction management
Bachelor of Technology - Cyber Security Bachelor's Degree Fall 11.1003 Computer and information systems security/auditing/information assurance
Bachelor of Technology - Software Development Bachelor's Degree Fall 11.0201 Computer programming/programmer, general
Business Administration - Supply Chain Management Diploma Winter, Spring, Fall 52.0203 Logistics, materials, and supply chain management
Butchery and Charcuterie Management Certificate Winter 12.0506 Meat cutting/meat cutter
Cyber Security for Control Systems Post-Diploma Certificate Spring, Fall 11.0901 Computer systems networking and telecommunications
Data Analytics Post-Diploma Certificate Winter, Spring, Fall 52.1301 Management science
Database Administrator Certificate Fall 11.0802 Data modelling/warehousing and database administration
Early Childhood Education Certificate Fall 19.0709 Child care provider/assistant
Early Childhood Education Diploma Fall 19.0708 Child care and support services management
Electrical Trade and Technology Diploma Fall 46.0302 Electrician
Information Systems Security Diploma Winter, Spring, Fall 11.1003 Computer and information systems security/information assurance
Information Technology Services Diploma Winter, Spring, Fall 11.1002 System, networking and LAN/WAN management/manager
Integrated Artificial Intelligence Post-Diploma Certificate Spring, Fall 30.7001 Data science, general
Integrated Water Management Diploma Fall 03.0205 Water, wetlands and marine resources management
Interactive Design - Graphic Design Diploma Winter, Spring, Fall 50.0409 Graphic design
Interactive Design - User Experience Diploma Winter, Spring, Fall 11.0105 Human-centred technology design
Interactive Design - Web Design and Development Diploma Winter, Spring, Fall 11.0801 Web page, digital/multimedia and information resources design
Machining Technology Diploma Fall 48.0501 Machine tool technology/machinist
Medical Laboratory Technology Diploma Fall 51.1005 Clinical laboratory science/medical technology/technologist
Medical Radiologic Technology Diploma Fall 51.0911 Radiologic technology/science - radiographer
Network Systems Specialist Certificate Fall 11.0901 Computer systems networking and telecommunications
Nuclear Medicine Technology Diploma Fall 51.0905 Nuclear medical technology/technologist
Object Oriented Software Development Certificate Fall 15.1204 Computer software technology/technician
Ophthalmic and Optometric Assisting Certificate Winter, Fall 51.1802 Optometric technician/assistant
Power and Process Operations Certificate Winter 47.0303 Industrial mechanics and maintenance technology
Primary Care Paramedic Certificate Fall 51.081 Emergency care attendant (EMT ambulance)
Rehabilitation Therapy Assistant Diploma Fall 51.2399 Rehabilitation and therapeutic professions, other
Respiratory Therapy Diploma Fall 51.0908 Respiratory care therapy/therapist
Software Development Diploma Winter, Spring, Fall 11.0201 Computer programming/programmer, general
Transport and Heavy Equipment Technology Diploma Winter, Fall 47.0302 Heavy equipment maintenance technology/technician
Welding and Fabrication Technology Diploma Winter, Fall 48.0508 Welding technology/welder
Welding Engineering Technology Diploma Fall 15.0614 Welding engineering technology/technician

A field of study requirement does not apply to students who submitted their study permit application to IRCC before November 1, 2024. All SAIT programs that meet the requirements listed below are eligible for the PGWP program:

  • Minimum 8 months in duration and lead to a degree, diploma or a certificate credential.
  • Distance learning did not form more than 50% of the program.

When can I apply for my PGWP?

You must apply within 180 days of SAIT issuing your final marks.

❗️ We recommend that you apply for your PGWP as soon as you receive your Program Completion Letter from SAIT, as you must stop working in Canada as soon as your program completion letter becomes available. Refer to the "after you apply" section below to understand your work authorization while your PGWP application is under process.

If your Study Pemit application extension application is under process when you receive your Program Completion Letter, please contact an International Student Advisor to discuss your PGWP application process. Students who are on maintained status are not eligible to submit an inside Canada PGWP application.

Your study permit will be valid until its expiration date or 90 days after you receive your letter of completion, whichever comes earlier.

If you apply for your PGWP while on a valid study permit, you might also be eligible to start work immediately.

However, if you plan to apply after your study permit expires, you need to either:

  • change your status to a visitor before your study permit expires or
  • leave the country and apply from outside of Canada or
  • apply for restoration and your PGWP at the same time.

❗️You can only receive a PGWP once in your life. If you intend to continue your studies, you might want to wait to apply for your work permit.

How to apply for your PGWP

You will complete the Application to Change Conditions, Extend my Stay or Remain in Canada as a Worker application form.

The application can be submitted online and costs $255, including a processing fee of $155 and an open work permit holder fee of $100 CAD.

If you are submitting your PGWP application from outside Canada, please contact the International Centre for guidance.

Step 1: Log into your IRCC GCKey account

You can use your existing IRCC account to apply for a study permit extension.

If you do not have an account, or if you do not have access to your previous account, you can create a new account.

How to create your IRCC GCKey account

Step 2: Create your own document checklist

Watch our guide to creating your list of required documents to apply for your PGWP.

Step 3: Prepare your documents and complete forms

Download and complete the IMM5710e application form

Ensure you download the latest form directly from the IRCC website for your application.

Download application form

Do not print and sign the form. You can type your name in the signature and dates on the form. Once you enter your information, select "Validate" and the form will generate an additional page with many bar codes if it's validated successfully.

If you want to make changes to the form, remember to validate it and save the form after every edit.

Guide to completing your PGWP application form

Collect your documents

If your documents are not in English or French, they should be accompanied by an official translation in English or French or a certified copy of the original document in English or French with an affidavit.

You must submit a Letter of Completion and your transcript.

Because your credential (diploma, certificate, etc.) will be awarded on the appropriate conferral date, please review the below details to receive your Letter of Completion:

  1. Apply to graduate through mySAIT during the appropriate timeline.
  2. Review your unofficial transcripts to ensure your final grades have been entered.
  3. Once all final grades are entered, the Office of the Registrar will run a graduate audit. This process can take up to two weeks to complete before a letter of completion can be generated.*
  4. A Letter of Completion will be automatically created for you if you are eligible to receive one. You do not need to request it.
  5. The Letter of Completion will be uploaded to the MyCreds™️ platform, and you’ll receive an email when it is ready to view and share. Check that you have an active email on your student profile.

You also need to request a copy of your official transcript through mySAIT.

*We are unable to generate a Post-Graduation Work Permit letter of completion until the Office of the Registrar completes the graduate audit detailed above. If your study permit expires soon, please contact the International Centre.

If you took a leave of absence during your studies, ensure you also request a confirmation letter from the International Centre for your PGWP application.

Request a Confirmation of Enrolment letter

You will need to scan and upload a copy of your passport on the bio-data page (the page with your photo and all other personal information), and any other pages with stamps, visas, or markings from any county.

If you have a new passport, you need to provide copies of both your new and old passports.

Your passport photo should be less than six months old and meet the IRCC photo specifications.

Depending on your nationality, the Family Information form might be required. You should only provide it if it’s included in your document checklist.

This form needs to be printed out and signed by hand. Please note you might need to sign multiple places on this form.

  • If you indicate that you don’t have a spouse or common-law partner, sign and date Section A.
  • If you indicate that you don’t have children, sign and date Section B.
  • Finally, sign and date Section C.

IRCC might make a minor adjustment to application forms without notice. Please check for instructions for each form and make sure the form is thoroughly completed.

The Schedule 1: Application for Temporary Residency form is usually included in the “Optional Documents” section of your checklist, and most students do not need to include it in the application.

If you do require it, this form doesn’t need to be signed, but it does need to be validated.

A Letter of Explanation is a self-written document that an applicant can use to provide additional information in support of their application. You should provide a Letter of Explanation if you want to explain something about your application—for instance, a gap in your studies (i.e. a leave of absence) or part-time studies during a scheduled break.

If you need any additional support with drafting a Letter of Explanation, you may contact an International Student Advisor.

Note: We strongly recommend PGWP applicants who take any courses during the scheduled break period to submit a self-drafted Letter of Explanation in addition to a Scheduled Break letter (see below for details) issued by SAIT in their PGWP application. These letters should be uploaded under the Client Information section in your application along with the Language test results.

If you require a letter confirming your scheduled break period for the purpose of employment or an immigration application, please submit a request using the Confirmation of Enrolment request form (choose scheduled break as the purpose of your request) Once you submit your request, you should expect to receive a letter confirming your scheduled break period within 3-5 business days via email to your SAIT email. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the International Centre for assistance.

Download the template

Proof of language proficiency should be uploaded under “Client Information” section under the “Optional documents” section in your application checklist.

Detailed information about the language score requirement and which language tests are accepted can be found on the IRCC website.

We strongly recommend that you book your language test at least a couple of months prior to your anticipated program completion date to avoid any delays.

Step 4: Get your biometrics and medical exam (if applicable)

If you have provided biometrics in a previous application, you don’t need to provide them again. Your biometrics will be valid for 10 years. You can use the online tool to find out if your biometrics are still valid.

Biometrics (fingerprints and a photo) are collected to confirm your identity and will facilitate your entry to Canada. While exemptions can be granted, most study permit applicants will be required to provide biometrics.

Once you have paid your biometrics collection fee ($85 CAD) and submitted your online application, you will receive a biometric instruction letter in your account. Then, you can go to the nearest biometrics collection center with the letter.

You may be required to complete an immigration medical exam if:

  1. you have lived in a designated country or territory for more than six months in the past year, or,
  2. you will participate in a workplacement, co-op or practicum that will bring you close to patients, children, the elderly, etc. This includes public health, health sciences, or agriculture-related fields (for example, healthcare workers, and primary and secondary school teachers.) Please refer to your program page for specific practicum information.

If you need a medical exam, you can choose either:

  • submit your application first, and wait for the medical exam instruction letter from IRCC, or,
  • do an upfront medical exam first and include the exam confirmation receipt in your application.

In general, it can save some processing time when you provide an upfront medical exam.

Your medical exam result will be valid for 12 months from the date of the exam and should be valid at the time when you travel. The exam is taken during the initial study permit application period; therefore, if you have been studying outside Canada since recieving your study permit approval, you will need to make sure your results are still valid when traveling to Canada.

You may need a new IME result if you are a continuing student who has left Canada for six months or more in the past year.

Find a panel physician that can conduct your medical exam.

After you apply

Please expect three to four months for your PGWP application to be processed. You will receive emails from your IRCC GCKey account informing you of any updates on your application.

Once it has been approved, it usually takes between two to six weeks for you to receive the actual document by mail – the Post-Graduation Work Permit will be sent to the mailing address provided.

Once you submit your PGWP application to IRCC, you can start working full-time if you meet all the requirements listed below:

  • You held a valid study permit and you had completed your study program at the time of your PGWP application submission.
  • You submitted your PGWP application within the first 90 days of receiving your Letter of Completion.
  • You were eligible to work off campus without a work permit during your studies. One of the conditions allowing you to work off campus must be printed on your study permit.
  • You did not work off campus for more than 20 hours per week (or 24 hours a week after November 8, 2024) during academic semesters in your study program (exception: if you were eligible to work more hours when IRCC temporary policies were in place).

Frequently asked questions 

It depends. Refer to the IRCC Help Centre for more information before you travel.

No. Once you receive your PGWP you can then apply for a new TRV.

Before you receive written notice of program completion

If you were eligible to work part-time (up to 24 hours per week) during your final semester, you can continue working part-time until you receive notice of program completion (letter from SAIT.)

Once you receive the notice of completion

You must STOP working until you submit the PGWP application.

After you submit the PGWP application, you can start working full-time if you:

  • were eligible to work part-time during your academic semester and didn’t work off-campus more than 24 hours during academic semesters
  • have a valid study permit at the time of applying for your PGWP.

If your PGWP is refused, you must stop working immediately.

You can now order your unofficial transcript through your MySAIT account.

Please check the Quick Reference Guide for easy steps to follow.

You MUST have a valid temporary status as a student or a visitor in order to apply for a PGWP.

If your study permit expires around your program completion time, you should consider applying for your study permit extension early so that you still hold a valid status to bridge your graduation period.

If you have not applied to extend it before it expires, you must stop studying and working and apply for a restoration of status.

Effective June 21, 2024, students can no longer apply for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) at the Canada-US border.

All eligible graduating students should apply for their PGWP online before their study permit expires. For more information, visit the IRCC website or email international.advising@sait.cafor assistance.

Contact us

International Centre

AA206, Heritage Hall, SAIT Main Campus

Phone
1.403.284.8852
Email
international@sait.ca

Monday - Friday | 8 am - 4:30 pm

a view of the moutains and stream in between

Oki, Âba wathtech, Danit'ada, Tawnshi, Hello.

SAIT is located on the traditional territories of the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) and the people of Treaty 7 which includes the Siksika, the Piikani, the Kainai, the Tsuut’ina and the Îyârhe Nakoda of Bearspaw, Chiniki and Goodstoney.

We are situated in an area the Blackfoot tribes traditionally called Moh’kinsstis, where the Bow River meets the Elbow River. We now call it the city of Calgary, which is also home to the Métis Nation of Alberta.