Post Graduation Work Permit
Post Graduation Work Permit
Immigration though studies is considered one of the easiest ways for someone to make Canada their permanent home. Studying in Canada can help one build a network, get skills and credentials that are relevant to the Canadian labor market, get work experience during studies, and get high points for their Express Entry Profile.
One of the most lucrative aspects of studying in Canada is that Post Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) allows international students to work in Canada for up to 3 years after completing their studies without lengthy applications and the pain of looking for an employer willing to sponsor them.
However, as great as it is, many students make a mistake of not doing their research and realize that they’re not eligible for a Post Graduate Work Permit, or that their PGWP won’t help them get enough immigration points when it’s too late.
So, to help you avoid some common mistakes, here’s an overview of the steps you need to take make the most of your studies in Canada.
Post Graduate Work Permit Eligibility
- Not all Designated Learning Institutions (DLI) offer a Post Graduation Work Permit eligible program. Consult the list of DLIs to find out if your program is eligible.
- You have 180 days to apply for post graduate work permit after you complete your coursework and get your final marks.
- You can apply inside Canada or from abroad. However, you must be in status if you apply from Canada. You can check the IRCC website to find out what to do if your status is about to expire.
- You can only apply for a Post Graduation Work Permit once in your life even if you complete multiple degrees.
- You were a full-time student the entire time you were studying in Canada, except your last semester. You might still qualify for a Post Graduation Work Permit, if you took a break from your studies that was less or equal to 150 days, and authorized.
- You may not apply for a Post Graduation Work Permit, if you received certain government-funded scholarships or studied at a non-Canadian institution in Canada. Check the IRCC website to find out about these exceptions.
- More than 50% of your degree has to be done in person, except if you had to transfer to distance learning due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
- Your program was at least 8 months long. If you transferred from one eligible DLI to another – the total length of your studies must be 8 or more months.
- Flight schools and certain institutions in Quebec have different eligibility requirements.
Length of Post Graduation Work Permit
- If your passport if it is about to expire, your Post Graduation Work Permit might be for a shorter time than what you are eligible for.
- The length of your PGWP is the same as the length of your studies to the maximum Post Graduation Work Permit duration of 3 years with the following exceptions:
- If you completed your program faster than the time it normally takes to complete it, your PGWP will match the standard length of your program.
- Your completed a Master’s or a PhD – your PGWP may be issued for 3 years if your program was 16 to 23 months in length and did not include regularly scheduled breaks.
- You were outside Canada for some of your studies – these periods of time will be excluded from the length of your Post Graduate Work Permit.
How to apply
- Post Graduate Work Permit application fee is $255, but you might have to pay for medical examination and biometrics based on your situation. IRCC will send you notifications in you need to do either, so make sure to check your application.
- You should apply online. If you decide to apply for the post graduate work permit at the border, consult with a registered immigration consultant at your school or give us a call to make sure your application is complete and you know what to expect.
- You must provide documentation that demonstrates your eligibility for the Post Graduate Work Permit, such as transcripts and letters from school that show the length of your program and prove that you completed it.
- Consult post graduate work permit application guide to ensure that your application is complete.
After you apply
- If you apply inside Canada, you may be able to start working as soon as you submit your Post Graduate Work Permit application if you meet certain conditions.
- Once your application is approved, your Post Graduation Work Permit conditions are that you can work part-time or full-time for most employers, or be self-employed for as long as your Post Graduation Work Permit is valid
Remember that if you want to apply for Permanent Residence under Express Entry, Canadian Experience Class, you will need at least 1 year of full-time work experience, and your self-employed work will not count towards it. You cannot do just any work to qualify for points under Express Entry – your must perform skilled work.
If your goal is to immigrate to Canada through studies, it is very important that your studies allow you to gain points for 1 year of work experience through Express Entry. This can be stressful if your PGWP is only 8 month or 1 year in duration, and you don’t have a job lined up right after you graduate. Luckily, our team of registered immigration consultants has ample experience with Post Graduation Work Permit and finding solutions to the trickiest situations. Call us to book a consultation to find out about your options at any stage of your immigration journey. Our agency can also help match you with a study program that is a perfect fit for your career and immigration goals. In case, if you need help from Certified Immigration Professionals, you are welcome to schedule a phone call or personal meeting in order to get consultation and as a result work permit after your study in CAnada.
Regards,
International Experience Club.
