Graduated in 2025? Your PGWP Is a “One-Time” Golden Ticket (Don’t Waste It)

THE REALITY CHECK

Congratulations. You survived exams, assignments, and Canadian winters. You finally have your completion letter in hand.

But while you are celebrating, a hidden clock has already started ticking.

For most international students, the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) is the only open work permit you will ever get in your lifetime (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada [IRCC], 2025a). There are no renewals. There are no “do-overs.”

The mistake I see most graduates make is treating their new work permit as a “break.” They take a few months off, or they stay in their comfortable part-time retail job while waiting for a “dream job.” By the time they realize their mistake, their status is halfway gone.

Here is how to make the smart choice and stop wasting time.

1. The Smart Choice: Use Your Work Permit for the “Right” Job

The most critical factor in your PR journey isn’t your wage; it’s your Job Title.

We recently saw the CEC score drop to 515 (IRCC, 2025d). That is great news, but you can only qualify for it if you use your work permit to gain TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 experience (IRCC, 2025b).

• The Trap: Staying in a “survival job” (like retail or ride-sharing) because it pays the bills. Driving Uber is TEER 5 (IRCC, 2025c). It counts for nothing in Express Entry.

• The Math: If you have a 3-year work permit but spend Year 1 driving Uber, you have effectively burned 33% of your eligibility. You are leaving yourself zero margin for error.

• The Strategy: You need a qualifying job immediately. Even if the pay is lower, an “Administrative Assistant” (TEER 3) role is infinitely more valuable for PR than a high-paying server job.

2. The New Reality: “Field of Study” Rules

If you graduated after November 1, 2024, obtaining a work permit has become harder due to new eligibility requirements (IRCC, 2024).

• The Risk: If you studied at a public college in a non-STEM or non-trade field, you might not be eligible for the standard 3-year PGWP anymore. You might be restricted to a shorter permit based on the new “Field of Study” list (IRCC, 2024).

• The Consequence: A shorter work permit means you don’t have time to “job hop.” If you only have a 1-year or 2-year document, you must be employed in a high-skilled role from Day 1 to get your 12 months of Canadian Experience Class (CEC) points.

3. Stuck? Look for the “French” Backdoor

What if you can’t find a TEER 0-3 job right away? Or what if your points are stuck at 480? You don’t have to just “hope” for a miracle. You can pivot.

While the general cutoff hovers around 515, the French Proficiency cutoff recently dropped to 399 (IRCC, 2025d).

• The Move: Instead of working overtime in a dead-end job, invest your evenings in learning French with our partners at Liberty Consulting.

• The Payoff: It is the single fastest “shortcut” for young graduates to bypass the high scores and secure PR.

Final Verdict: Don’t “DIY” Your First Year

The biggest regret I hear from clients is: “I wish I came to you a year ago.” By the time they call me, they have often wasted 12 months in a low-TEER job, and their work permit is expiring.

Don’t wait until the last minute. The strategy starts the day you graduate.

How Cambria Law Helps Graduates

We build PR Roadmaps that protect your future from Day 1.

• Job Offer Audit: Before you accept a job, send us the offer. We will tell you if the duties match a qualifying TEER Code for Express Entry.

• PGWP Filing: We file your work permit application correctly to ensure you get the maximum duration possible under the new rules.

• Score Projection: We map out exactly when you will hit the 515 target—and what to do if you are falling short.

Book Your “New Grad Strategy” Session with Harkiran Singh Sidhu

References

1. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. (2024, November 1). Changes to the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program. https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/work/after-graduation/eligibility/field-of-study.html
2. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. (2025a). Post-graduation work permit (PGWP): Who can apply. https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/work/after-graduation/eligibility.html
3. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. (2025b). Express Entry: Eligibility for the Canadian Experience Class. https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/eligibility/canadian-experience-class.html
4. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. (2025c). Find your National Occupational Classification. https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/find-national-occupation-code.html
5. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. (2025d). Express Entry rounds of invitations: Summary of results. Retrieved December 24, 2025, from https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/rounds-invitations.html