Graduate students
Work in Canada after you graduate
If you completed your graduate degree program and want to work in Canada in your field, you may need to apply for a work permit.
Find out what type of work permit you may be eligible for.
You're a post-doctoral fellow.
A post doctoral fellow is someone who recently earned a PhD and will be teaching or doing advanced research at a university or similar institution.
If this describes you, you may be eligible for an employer-specific work permit.
Work permit instructions for post-doctoral fellows
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Make sure you meet the criteria
As a post-doctoral fellow who wants to work in Canada, you must meet all of the following conditions:
- You completed your doctorate or you submitted your dissertation.
- You have a job offer for a position in a field related to your PhD.
- You’ll be paid a salary or stipend for teaching, advanced study or research.
- You're selected based on your academic excellence.
If this doesn’t describe you, answer a few questions to find out what work permit is right for you.
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Your employer submits an offer of employment to us
Before you apply for your work permit, your employer needs to
- submit an offer of employment to us
- pay a $230 employer compliance fee, and
- provide you with an offer of employment number
- After your employer submits an offer of employment, they'll get the offer of employment number.
- The number starts with the letter ‘A’ followed by 7-digits.
- You need this number to apply for your work permit.
Your employer does not need to get a labour market impact assessment to hire you.
How to submit an offer of employment
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Apply for a work permit
To apply for a work permit, you need to
- meet the eligibility requirements for a work permit
- include in your application
- the offer of employment number from your employer
- proof that your employer paid the compliance fee
- a copy of your PhD degree or proof that you will get it soon
- select “Exemption from labour market impact assessment” in the “Details of intended work in Canada” section of the work permit application
Applying from outside Canada?
You may be able to get your application processed in 2 weeks.
You’re a researcher.
A researcher is someone who will conduct advanced research at a public university or an affiliated research institution.
If this describes you, you may be eligible for an employer-specific work permit.
Work permit instructions for researchers
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Make sure you meet the criteria
As a researcher who wants to work in Canada, you must meet 1 of the following conditions:
- You're working temporarily for the International Development Research Centre of Canada.
- You're sponsored by Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. as a distinguished scientist or post-doctoral fellow.
- You're sponsored by the
- National Research Council of Canada
- Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
- Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), or
- another NRCan-affiliated department or agency that takes part in the Post-doctoral Research Program for distinguished scientists or scholars conducting research for these organizations
- You hold a research chair position at a Canadian university and have been nominated for your research excellence.
- Your position must be partially or wholly funded by the federal or a provincial government.
If this doesn’t describe you, answer a few questions to find out what work permit is right for you.
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Your employer submits an offer of employment to us
Before you apply for your work permit, your employer needs to
- submit an offer of employment to us, and
- provide you with an offer of employment number
- After your employer submits an offer of employment, they'll get the offer of employment number.
- The number starts with the letter ‘A’ followed by 7-digits.
- You need this number to apply for your work permit.
Your employer does not need to get a labour market impact assessment to hire you.
How to submit an offer of employment
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Apply for a work permit
To apply for a work permit, you need to
- meet the eligibility requirements for a work permit
- include in your application the offer of employment number from your employer
- select “Exemption from labour market impact assessment” when completing the “Details of intended work in Canada” section of the work permit application
Applying from outside Canada?
You may be able to get your application processed in 2 weeks.
You’re a research award recipient.
A research award recipient is someone who is the direct recipient of an academic research award.
If this describes you, you may be eligible for an employer-specific work permit.
Work permit instructions for research award recipients
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Make sure you meet the criteria
As a research award recipient who wants to work in Canada, you must meet all of the following conditions:
- You're the direct recipient of an award that includes work and payment.
- You have an official role, connection or registration with a credible academic or educational institution or agency in your home country.
- You show strong academic achievement or expertise in a field related to the work you’ll do in Canada.
- You have a job offer from a credible Canadian academic or educational institution, agency or a closely connected organization.
- Your employer can't be a commercial business.
- You're offered a position that
- matches your experience and expertise
- plays an important, active role in a Canadian research project
If this doesn’t describe you, answer a few questions to find out what work permit is right for you.
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Your employer submits an offer of employment to us
Before you apply for your work permit, your employer needs to
- submit an offer of employment to us
- pay a $230 employer compliance fee, and
- provide you with an offer of employment number
- After your employer submits an offer of employment, they'll get the offer of employment number.
- The number starts with the letter ‘A’ followed by 7-digits.
- You need this number to apply for your work permit.
Your employer does not need to get a labour market impact assessment to hire you.
How to submit an offer of employment
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Apply for a work permit
To apply for a work permit, you need to
- meet the eligibility requirements for a work permit
- include in your application
- the offer of employment number from your employer
- proof that your employer paid the compliance fee
- proof that you received an award (a letter from the organization giving the award showing how it meets the award criteria)
- proof that the position you’re offered and your role in the project matches your experience and expertise
- select “Exemption from labour market impact assessment” in the “Details of intended work in Canada” section of the work permit application
Applying from outside Canada?
You may be able to get your application processed in 2 weeks.
You’re a short-term researcher.
A short-term researcher is someone who will conduct advanced research at a public university or an affiliated research institution for a period of 120 days or less.
If this describes you, you may be eligible to work in Canada without a work permit.
Instructions for short-term researchers
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Make sure you meet the criteria
To work in Canada without a work permit as a short-term researcher, you must meet all of the following conditions:
- You're entering Canada from another country.
- You have a job offer from a public degree-granting institution (college or university level) or an affiliated research institution.
- You'll work in Canada for 120 consecutive days or less.
- You have not worked in Canada under this exemption in the last 12 months.
- You'll be contributing significantly to the research project.
If this doesn’t describe you, answer a few questions to find out what work permit is right for you.
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Check what document you need
To come to Canada, you most likely need to apply for
- a visitor visa, or
- an electronic travel authorization (eTA)
Check if you need a visa or an eTA
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Show the border services officer you’re eligible
When you arrive in Canada, tell the border services officer that
- you’re here to work
- you're eligible to work without a work permit under the Global Skills Strategy
- you need a visitor record
You can use your job offer or contract from your Canadian employer as proof of your eligibility as long as it contains the following information:
- the details of the work you’ll do
- the NOC code and job title of the intended occupation
- the period of employment (start date and end date)
If the officer is convinced that you’re eligible, they’ll issue you a visitor record. Your visitor record must list the condition “authorized to work” in the remarks section.
Post-graduation work permit (PGWP)
You may be eligible for a PGWP if you recently graduated from a PGWP-eligible Canadian learning institution.
Work permits for other situations
Answer a few questions to find out
- if you need a work permit
- what type of work permit you’re eligible for
Explore immigration programs
Answer a few questions to get a list of programs you may be interested in.
