Is a Post-Graduation Work Permit an open work permit or does it tie me to one employer?
The PGWP is an open work permit, which means you can work for almost any employer in Canada in almost any occupation. You are not tied to the employer that was in your job offer (if any), and you can change jobs without updating your immigration documents. This is one of the significant advantages of the PGWP for international graduates.
There are a small number of restricted industries — working in primary agriculture or certain sensitive sectors may require additional authorization — but for most graduates working in typical professional, skilled, or service jobs, the open permit allows considerable flexibility.
If you received a conditional work permit or a different type of work permit rather than a PGWP, the conditions will differ. Read what is printed on your permit carefully. If you are uncertain whether your permit is open or employer-specific, an immigration lawyer can review your documents and explain your rights.
Key takeaways
- The PGWP is an open work permit — you can work for any eligible employer
- You can change jobs freely without immigration consequences
- A small number of industries have additional requirements even with open permits
- Confirm the type of permit issued — not all work permits issued to graduates are PGWPs