Countries / Canada
Canada
Canada: get the work-permit question right.
A PGWP is an open work permit, so most employers don’t need to sponsor you now. The hard part is often the application form, not the visa.
The route after study
- A PGWP lets you work for almost any employer in Canada. Its length depends on your study program.
- Many graduates use the work experience they gain toward permanent residence.
- Rules have changed several times since 2024, so check the official page for your case.
Your clock
- Your PGWP end date is on the permit.
- Plan your search around that date, and around any permanent-residence steps you’re aiming for.
The question that trips people up
- “Do you require sponsorship?” Many PGWP holders can truthfully answer No for now, because their permit is open.
- Answering Yes when you don’t need it can get you filtered out.
- Whether you’ll need support later depends on your permit’s end date and your plans. Ask your school’s international office.
- Coming soon Set this answer once and Knock fills it the same way every time.
What Knock checks here
- Employers with a positive LMIA in Canada’s official open data, shown as evidence they have hired foreign workers before.
- In Canada, a PGWP holder usually doesn’t need an LMIA, so treat this as a signal, not a requirement.
Language reality
- English across most of Canada. French is often required in Quebec and in some public-facing roles.
Scams to avoid
- Never pay for a job offer or an LMIA. Employers aren’t allowed to make you pay their LMIA costs.
- If you use an immigration consultant, check they’re licensed by the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants.
Official links
Rules as checked on 16 October 2026. Not legal or immigration advice. Confirm with your school’s international office or a licensed consultant.
Apply with the right answers.
Free Chrome extension. No card. You’ll see every price before you sign up.