Canada Post-Graduation Work Permit: Things You Should Know

Canada Post-Graduation Work Permit

After graduating from a Canadian college or university, international students can apply for a Canadian Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). The typical duration of this work permit is three years, up to the same amount of time as the student’s academic program. By enabling them to work for any Canadian business in any industry, PGWP Canada hopes to keep students on board.

Free Online Immigration Assessment

When the study program is over, the student has 180 days to apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (after documented confirmation of a degree or diploma certificate is obtained). International graduates can work in Canada with a Post Graduate Work visa (PGWP), which is a temporary work permit. The PGWP typically lasts between 8 and 36 months.

Eligibility Requirement for PGWP from within Canada

If a person satisfies the criteria listed below, they may apply for a PGWP Canada:

• The candidate has been enrolled full-time in school during their entire time in Canada.
• The applicant should apply within less than 180 days after finishing their educational program.
• The candidate has completed a program of at least eight months and obtained a degree or diploma certificate from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI).
• For a PGWP holder to be qualified to apply for a Canadian permanent residence program, they should possess one year of professional work experience in a NOC code of 0, A, or B.

Eligibility Requirement for PGWP from outside Canada

• A study permit for the applicant has been granted.
• The applicant obtained a degree or diploma certificate from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) after finishing a program that was at least eight months long
• The applicant remained a full-time student throughout the course of their education.

Other Requirements

Other requirements for becoming qualified include the following:

• The candidate should complete a course of study program with a minimum of eight months at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI)that qualifies.
• Any course of study must result in a degree or diploma certificate.
• The candidate has obtained a transcript and an official letter from the qualified DLI attesting that the applicant satisfies the conditions necessary for program completion

PGWP application can be made only once in the lifetime, but it is possible to extend your PGWP

Your PGWP cannot be renewed; however, if it was time-limited due to your passport’s expiration, you might be able to extend your PGWP. Your PGWP’s validity period cannot exceed the expiration date of your passport. If so, to receive the entire validity of your PGWP, you must apply for a work permit extension when your passport is renewed. If you meet the requirements for a different kind of work permit, you can seek to extend your PGWP before it expires.

If your PGWP is about to expire, you may want to choose an open work permit or an employer-specific work permit. If you are qualified for this work permit and submit your application before your PGWP expires, you can have the status that allows you to continue working in Canada. If your PGWP is about to expire, you may want to choose an open work permit or an employer-specific work permit. While awaiting the processing of your extension, maintained status gives you legal standing. Before their authorized stay expires, temporary residents may apply to extend it. The legislation extends your permitted stay as a temporary resident until a decision is taken on behalf of your application. As a temporary resident during the processing term, you are additionally regarded as having legal status.

Who can apply for PGWP

Graduates who apply for a PGWP before the expiration of their study permit are qualified to work full-time without a work permit while awaiting a decision on their application if all of the following criteria are met:

• When you applied for the post-graduation employment visa, you had or had a valid study permit.
• Your educational program is now over.
• You fulfilled the prerequisites for working off-campus without a work permit by being a full-time student enrolled at a DLI in a postsecondary academic, vocational, or professional training program of at least eight months in length that resulted in a degree or diploma certificate.
• You did not exceed the permissible working hours.

A candidate cannot apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) if:

• Their study permit has been inactive for more than 180 days.
• In the past, they had already received a PGWP.
• The candidate has experience learning English or French as a second language.
• The candidate participated in general interest or self-improvement courses of study.
• The candidate completed their studies in Canada at a non-Canadian university.

PGWP Processing Time

A PGWP can be processed in 80 to 180 days.

While awaiting your PGWP, you may apply before your student visa expires and work in Canada. You have 180 days to apply after completing all your academic prerequisites in Canada. While awaiting your PGWP, you may apply before your student visa expires and work in Canada.

If you leave Canada after completing your studies, you may apply for a PGWP from overseas. Previously Canadian citizens could only apply for post-graduation work permits from within the country.
When applying for a Canada PGWP, you must include the supporting documentation listed on the below-mentioned checklist:

PGWP Documents Checklist

1. Extend my stay or continue to work in Canada by submitting Form IMM 5710
2. IMM 5476, “Use of a Representative,”
3. Form IMM 5475, “The permission to release personal information to a designated person”
4. Passport page photocopies,
5. Identity documents in photo form,
6. Current immigration document photocopy, if applicable,
7. The program’s final transcript,
8. A letter from the college or university, as well as the official diploma,
9. Evidence of payment,
10. The original letter that was given to you by the university stating your anticipated employment is a crucial component of your academic program (for Co-op Workers).

PGWP Application Process

Complete the Post-Graduate Work Permit Application process.
1. Fill out the PGWP form online:
Graduates must first complete their online Post-Graduate Work Permit application.
2. Pay the application fee:
The applicants must pay a CAD 255 fee for online PGWP applications. You might need to pay an additional CAD 350 to reinstate your status as a student if the validity of your study permit expires before you apply.
3. Compile the Essential Documents:
The next step for graduates is to assemble the paperwork needed for their application. This contains evidence that they have finished their coursework. One of the following papers may be used to offer this proof:

• A diploma or degree,
• Official correspondence from the school’s official transcripts or copies of transcripts downloaded from the school’s website is required.

4. Submit the Application:

The next step is for graduates to submit their applications online. After this, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) may need the applicant to submit more paperwork.
Successful applicants will receive their Post-Graduate Work Permit inside Canada. Successful candidates outside of Canada will receive their PGWP and a fresh visiting visa allowing them to enter the nation.

PGWP pointers to remember:

1. The PGWP offers international students the opportunity to get valuable professional job experience in Canada, which is one of its main advantages.

2. It’s vital to remember that a study permit expires 90 days after the conclusion of a course of study. You must also apply for a PGWP within 180 days of receiving confirmation that you’ve fulfilled the prerequisites for finishing your program of study. Depending on which occurs first—the day you receive your final grades or the day you receive official written notice that the program is over—the days will start counting.

3. You are not permitted to work without a permit if your study permit expires or becomes invalid before you apply for a PGWP, and you must instead:

• Apply for a PGWP from abroad after leaving Canada.
• Apply to reinstate your status as a student by submitting an accurate PGWP application ($255) and the necessary reinstatement fees ($350).

4. It’s interesting to note that while physically residing in Canada, you can also apply from “outside” of Canada. Maintaining your visitor status until you acquire the official work visa is necessary if you wish to stay in Canada.

5. You will receive an automatically generated letter from IRCC after submitting your PGWP application. The letter will grant a 120-day validity period for continuing to work. Most applicants should learn the outcome of their application before the 120-day deadline. You can use the IRCC web form to ask for verification of authorization to work if 120 days have passed and no decision has been made.

6. Spouses and common-law partners of The PGWP holders may be qualified for a work permit.

• Spouses and common-law partners of the PGWP holders should be able to work in Canada for at least six months after receiving their open work visa application.
• Should occupy a high-skilled job position (NOC 0, A, B)
• Be physically residing in Canada or have plans to do so while working

7. A PGWP holder must attain one year of work experience in a NOC code of 0, A, or B before applying for permanent residence status in Canada under the Canadian experience category.

8. The PGWP allows you to apply for jobs whenever you want, anywhere in Canada (as long as your permit is still valid).

9. International students can only work 20 hours a week during academic sessions. But while your application is being reviewed, you can begin working full-time as soon as you finish your education. Within 90 days of getting your Letter of Completion, and while your study permit is still in effect, you must submit your PGWP application.

Canada’s earnest efforts to entice international students to remain in the country include the post-graduate work permit (PGWP) program. The numerous liberties and advantages of the program acknowledge the skills of international graduates, thereby helping them work for their betterment.

Feel free to contact us for your queries.

Read To More: Work in Canada Without LMIA