Post-Graduation Work Permit: If you’ve studied in Canada as an international student and you really like the country and wish to stay back, the Post Graduation Work Permit is one of the best ways to do so. With Post Graduate Work Permit or PGWP, international students will be allowed to work in Canada after school and even apply for Permanent Resident after some years.
According to the Canada Immigration policy, international students are expected to return home after completing their education. However, the PGWP is designed for students who want to gather work experience in Canada. In this article, I’ll explain in detail what the PGWP means, the conditions to qualify for PGWP, and how it’s one of the best ways for you to get PR in Canada.
See Also: All you need to know about Post-Graduate Diploma in Canada
What is Post-Graduation Work Permit
The Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) Program is designed to allow students who have graduated from Canadian schools with DLI to get an open work permit. This open work permit allows the students to stay back in Canada after their studies and work in Canada. The PGWP program allows the students to gain valuable work experience in Canada and adds to their points to qualify for PR.
Duration of Post-Graduation Work Permit
The validity of the PGWP is based on a number of factors which are based mainly on the duration of your studies. But generally, the duration of PGWP is a minimum of 8 months or a maximum of 3 years. Some of the reasons that can influence the validity duration of your Post-Graduation Work Permit include:
- Passport Validity: The PGWP validity can not be more than the validity of your passport. So, my advice for you is that you should renew your international passport before you apply for PGWP.
- Duration of Study in Canada: PGWP is usually issued based on the years of your study. For example, if your study in Canada is 8 months, your PGWP validity will likely be 8 months. The same logic goes if your study in Canada is two years. You can read more about PGWP on the Canada website.
See Also: Top 9 Reasons for Canada Spousal Sponsorship Refusal and their solutions
Requirements for Post-Graduation Work Permit
To be eligible for the PGWP program, you must meet the following conditions:
- You have completed an academic, vocational, or professional training program in a Canadian school for at least 8 months and obtained a degree, diploma, or certificate.
- You are a full-time student in Canada during each academic session of your program or programs of study they have completed and submitted as part of your post-graduation work permit application. Exceptions can be made only for the following: leave from studies and final academic session.
- A Canadian school has issued you a transcript and an official letter confirming that you have met the requirements to complete your program of study.
- Note: You must include the transcript and official letter in your post-graduation work permit application.
Within 180 days of the date of applying for the post-graduation work permit, you must also meet one of the following criteria:
- You must have a valid study permit.
- You had a study permit.
- You were authorized to study in Canada without the requirement to obtain a study permit under paragraphs 188(1)(a) and (b) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations.
Post-Graduation Work Permit Ineligibility
You are not eligible for PGWP if you fall in any of the following criteria:
- You have previously been issued a post-graduation work permit
- You received funding from Global Affairs Canada (GAC). Note: This does not apply to Study in Canada Scholarship recipients who are eligible for a post-graduation work permit.
- You participated in the Government of Canada Awards Program funded by GAC
- You obtained the Equal Opportunity Scholarship, Canada–Chile
- You participated in the Canada–China Scholars’ Exchange Program
- You participated in the Organization of American States Fellowships Program
- You completed the majority of the credits toward the completion of your program of study by distance learning or online learning
- You completed a program of study delivered by a non-Canadian institution located in Canada, regardless of your length of stay in Canada.
See Also: Top 5 Reasons why you should Study in Canada
Work While you Wait for your PGWP Approval
If you have completed your program of study, you are allowed to work (under paragraph 186(w) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations [IRPR]) while you are waiting for a decision on your PGWP application, provided you meet all of the following criteria:
- You are or were a holder of a valid study permit at the time of the PGWP application
- You were a full-time student enrolled at a DLI in a post-secondary academic, vocational, or professional training program
- You were authorized to work off campus without a work permit
- You did not exceed the allowable hours of work
The Post-graduation work permit is one of the ways you can stay behind after your studies in Canada. If you have any questions or need any assistance with the PGWP program, please use the Contact Us page to send us a message.
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