The best is yet to come
OK
Log out of UNA?
Log out
Cancel
Revolutionizing Immigration with AI
My Appointments
Welcome to UNA
Alternative Work Permit Options for International Graduates Ineligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)

With adjustments to Canada’s Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) policies, some international graduates may no longer qualify for this program. However, this does not mean they lack opportunities to continue working in Canada. In fact, Canada offers various work permit pathways to help graduates maintain legal work status.

Below is a summary of suitable work permit options and their basic requirements.

Major Work Permit Options

1. Work Permits Under Free Trade Agreements (FTAs)

Through the International Mobility Program (IMP), Canada offers work permits to foreign nationals from countries with free trade agreements (FTAs) with Canada. Agreements like CUSMA (Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement) allow eligible citizens to obtain work permits without requiring a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). Applicants must meet the specific conditions outlined in the agreement.

2. International Experience Canada (IEC) Work Permits

This option is available for applicants aged 35 or younger (30 in some countries) whose home countries have signed Youth Mobility Agreements with Canada. The IEC program includes three categories:

  • Working Holiday Visa: No employer restrictions, offering high flexibility.
  • Young Professionals Visa: Requires a job offer aligned with career development.
  • International Co-op Visa: For internship opportunities related to academic programs.

This option is particularly suitable for young people seeking short-term experience. Countries and regions with bilateral agreements include:

Hong Kong, Taiwan, Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom.

3. Work Permits Under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)

The TFWP requires employer support, including a positive or neutral Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). The LMIA demonstrates that hiring foreign workers will not negatively affect the Canadian labor market. Certain roles, such as those under the Global Talent Stream, benefit from expedited processing and relaxed advertising requirements.

Note: TFWP work permits are employer-specific (closed permits), allowing employment only with the designated employer.

As of September 26, 2024, ESDC has paused processing LMIA applications for low-wage positions in areas with unemployment rates exceeding 6%.

4. Work Permits Under the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)

This program offers employer-supported work permits in addition to being a pathway to permanent residence. Applicants need a job offer from an employer in one of Canada’s Atlantic provinces, along with meeting requirements for language proficiency, education, and work experience. Employers must also obtain provincial approval for the job offer.

Canada’s Atlantic provinces include:

  • New Brunswick
  • Newfoundland and Labrador
  • Nova Scotia
  • Prince Edward Island (PEI)

5. Work Permits for Nominees or Candidates Under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

Certain Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) provide support letters for employer-specific work permits. For example, the British Columbia PNP (BC PNP) issues work permit support letters to nominees.

Since August 11, 2024, Canada introduced a temporary public policy allowing provinces to offer work permits to PNP candidates. The following provinces and territories have adopted this policy:

  • Alberta
  • Manitoba
  • Yukon

Applicants must obtain a support letter from the province or territory in addition to meeting other requirements to qualify for this work permit. This temporary public policy will expire on December 31, 2024, but the federal government may revoke it at any time.

6. Open Work Permits for Spouses of International Students

Based on a spouse’s study permit:

If your spouse holds a Canadian study permit and is enrolled in an eligible program, you may apply for an open work permit. Eligible programs include:

  • Master’s or doctoral programs lasting at least 16 months.
  • Professional degree programs, such as:
    • Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS, DMD)
    • Bachelor or Juris Doctor of Law (LLB, JD, BCL)
    • Doctor of Medicine (MD)
    • Doctor of Optometry (OD)
    • Pharmacy (PharmD, BS, BSc, BPharm)
    • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)
    • Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN, BSN)
    • Bachelor of Education (BEd)
    • Bachelor of Engineering (BEng, BE, BASc)

Applicants must provide proof of their spouse’s enrollment and their relationship.

Based on family sponsorship:

If your spouse is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who has submitted a family sponsorship application for you, and you legally reside in Canada, you can apply for an open work permit.

Recommendations for Selecting the Right Work Permit

1. Evaluate Your Qualifications:

Choose pathways based on your nationality, age, educational background, language proficiency, and work experience. For example, FTA work permits are favorable for applicants from agreement countries, while TFWP suits graduates with employer support in Canada.

2. Plan and Prepare Ahead:

Programs like IEC require a quota-based draw system, so early application increases your chances. Similarly, TFWP and AIP require employer participation, making early communication with employers essential.

3. Seek Professional Advice:

Each work permit has its own complex requirements and processes. In light of evolving policies, consulting an immigration professional can ensure a smooth application process.

Conclusion

Regardless of the pathway chosen, international graduates should align their decisions with personal development goals and specific conditions. By leveraging these options strategically, you can continue to achieve career growth and personal development in Canada.

安大略省省提名项目发布最新邀请,重点面向安省北部及特定社区的申请人
Ontario Provincial Nominee Program Issues New Invitations, Targeting Candidates in Northern Ontario and Specific Communities
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) held five targeted provincial nomination draws on August 28, 2025, issuing a total of 468 invitations to apply to eligible candidates. These invitations primarily focused on two categories of applicants: foreign workers and international students with job offers in Northern Ontario, and candidates who qualify for the Regional Economic Development through Immigration (REDI) pilot program with an employer job offer in a specific community. This round of invitations again highlights Ontario's strategic direction of using immigration policy to address labour shortages in specific regions.
09/02/2025
萨斯喀彻温省提名移民配额增加,优先行业申请迎来新机
Saskatchewan Receives Increased Immigration Allocation, Creating New Opportunities for Priority Sectors
The Canadian province of Saskatchewan has announced that its 2025 Provincial Nominee Program (SINP) has received an additional 1,136 nominations from the federal government, bringing its total annual allocation to 4,761. This adjustment reopens application pathways for several sectors that were previously paused due to reaching their caps. Against a backdrop of diverging immigration allocation trends across Canada, this development in Saskatchewan, along with increases in several other provinces, highlights the complex and evolving landscape of federal and provincial immigration policies.
08/29/2025
爱德华王子岛省提名更新:2025年第八轮抽签重点邀请省内技术工人与特定院校毕业生
PEI PNP Update: Eighth Draw of 2025 Targets In-Province Skilled Workers and Graduates from Designated Institutions
On August 21, 2025, Canada's Prince Edward Island (PEI) held its eighth Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP) draw of the year, issuing a total of 132 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates. This draw continued to focus on applicants already living and working in the province in high-demand occupations, with special priority given to international graduates from three designated local post-secondary institutions. To date, PEI has issued a cumulative total of 792 invitations in 2025.
08/28/2025
BC省公布最新企业家移民抽选结果,重点类别分数线小幅波动
British Columbia Holds New Entrepreneur Immigration Draw, Score Requirements Shift
The province of British Columbia held a new Provincial Nominee Program draw on August 19, 2025, exclusively targeting candidates in the Entrepreneur Immigration (EI) category. A total of no more than 16 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) were issued through the Base and Regional Pilot streams. The results confirm a clear trend in 2025, with the BC PNP prioritizing business and investment streams, marking this the sixth entrepreneur-focused draw of the year.
08/27/2025
曼尼托巴省提名计划更新:最新抽签定向邀请“战略招聘倡议”类别候选人
Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program Update: Latest Draw Targets Candidates in Strategic Recruitment Initiatives
The province of Manitoba held its 17th Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) draw of the year on August 21, 2025. This draw exclusively targeted skilled worker candidates who received a direct invitation through a Strategic Recruitment Initiative. A total of 77 Letters of Advice to Apply (LAAs) were issued, with a minimum required score of 612. The draw underscores the province's strategy of collaborating with employers and communities to precisely attract in-demand talent.
08/26/2025
育空地区增加省提名配额以应对雇主需求
Yukon's Immigration Program Gets Boost with Increased 2025 Nomination Quota
The Government of Yukon announced on August 21, 2025, that it has successfully secured an additional 67 nomination allocations for its Yukon Nominee Program (YNP), raising the total for the year to 282. The boost follows sustained advocacy on behalf of local employers after initial federal cuts to the program. As a direct result, the territory will issue 80 new Invitations to Apply in August, prioritizing candidates with established ties to the Yukon, including local work experience and graduates from its institutions.
08/25/2025
加拿大移民语言测试添新选项 托福Essentials将被纳入永久居民申请
Canada to Add New Language Test Option for Immigration; TOEFL Essentials to be Accepted for Permanent Residence Applications
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has confirmed it will begin accepting a new English language test, the TOEFL Essentials, for its economic permanent residence programs. Once implemented, this will provide applicants with a fourth option for proving English proficiency, alongside the existing IELTS, CELPIP, and PTE Core tests. The Educational Testing Service (ETS), the organization behind the test, is collaborating with IRCC on the final details, and the official start date and available test locations will be announced upon confirmation.
08/23/2025
加拿大大西洋移民计划2025年最新动向:各省聚焦重点行业与岗位
Canada's Atlantic Immigration Program: 2025 Updates See Provinces Prioritize Key Sectors and Occupations
In 2025, Canada's Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) is entering a new strategic phase due to adjusted federal immigration allocations. To manage reduced quotas, the four Atlantic provinces are concentrating their resources on key sectors vital to their local economies. Healthcare, construction, and information technology have become focal points for attracting talent. This report provides an in-depth analysis of the latest priority sectors and occupations for each province, examines the alternative pathways available in New Brunswick following its AIP pause, and offers authoritative guidance for applicants planning to immigrate through this program in 2025.
08/21/2025
加拿大快速通道移民系统最新抽签,向医疗保健行业候选人发出2500份邀请
Canada's Express Entry System Issues 2,500 Invitations to Healthcare Candidates in Latest Draw
On August 19, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted a new round of targeted draws through the Express Entry system. This draw specifically invited candidates in the healthcare and social services category, issuing 2,500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs). To be eligible, candidates needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 470. This draw highlights Canada's continued emphasis on attracting professionals in the healthcare sector.
08/20/2025
加拿大快速通道最新抽签:省提名分数线飙升至800分
Canada's Latest Express Entry Draw Sees PNP Score Requirement Hit 800
On August 18, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted a new Express Entry draw, specifically targeting candidates in the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). The draw issued 192 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence, with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score requirement of 800. This score marks the second-highest of the year, reaffirming the central role of PNPs in Canada's immigration system.
08/19/2025
Sorry, your request failed
Please try again
OK