PGWP vs employer-specific work permit
After graduating from an eligible Canadian school you may qualify for a PGWP — an open permit that lets you work for almost any employer. An employer-specific (closed) work permit ties you to one employer and usually needs an LMIA. Both build the Canadian work experience Express Entry rewards.
| PGWP | Employer Work Permit | |
|---|---|---|
| Open or closed | Open — work for (almost) any employer | Closed — tied to one employer |
| Eligibility | Graduate of an eligible DLI program | Job offer + usually an LMIA |
| Duration | 8 months–3 years (matches study length) | Tied to the offer/LMIA length |
| How many times | Once in a lifetime | Repeatable |
| LMIA needed | No | Usually yes (some exemptions) |
| PR value | Skilled Canadian experience → Express Entry/CEC | Skilled Canadian experience → Express Entry/PNP |
| Best for | Recent Canadian graduates | Workers with a specific employer/offer |
Which should you choose?
If you've just graduated from an eligible Canadian program, the PGWP is the clear winner — it's open, needs no LMIA, and you can switch jobs freely. An employer-specific permit makes sense if you didn't study in Canada or already have a committed employer willing to support an LMIA.
Other comparisons: Express Entry vs Provincial Nominee Program · Study Permit vs Work Permit · Visitor Visa vs Super Visa · Inland Sponsorship vs Outland Sponsorship · Express Entry vs Family Sponsorship