Obtaining permanent residency and work after studying in Canada is a significant concern for individuals immigrating to this country. The Post Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), as it is also known, is one of Canada’s important initiatives to create a suitable and future-oriented platform for students to find employment after completing their studies in the country.
In this article, we intend to discuss the process of obtaining permanent residency in Canada through work and post-graduation step by step. Therefore, after examining the nature of the PGWP permit, we will review the steps and conditions for obtaining permanent residency through work after graduation with you.
What is a Canada Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)?
The Post-Graduation work permit , after studying in Canada is an official document granted to graduates of post-secondary programs in Canada. This permit allows them to work as an employee or active entrepreneur after graduation. The PGWP acts as a bridge between higher education and the job market, providing an opportunity for international graduates to gain professional and work experience in the country.
The duration of eligibility for the PGWP depends on the length of study and the educational program, and it can vary. Typically, this permit is issued for a specified period, which can be up to 3 years, depending on the duration of the individual’s study. One of the significant advantages of the PGWP is that graduates can work in any job they wish without the need for specific prerequisites.
The PGWP allows graduates to gain the necessary work experience and use it towards obtaining permanent residency. This permit can serve as an initial and crucial step in the pathway to permanent residency, enabling individuals to gather the required skills and experiences and eventually achieve permanent residency in the country.
PGWP License Conditions
The conditions for obtaining a post-study work certificate in Canada (PGWP) include the following:
1.Studying in accredited and official programs: To be eligible for the PGWP, you must have attended accredited educational programs. These programs may include college, undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral degrees.
2.Duration of study: Your period of study must be a minimum of 8 consecutive months for programs less than 2 years and a minimum of 16 months for programs longer than 2 years.
3.Compliance with immigration regulations: You must have adhered to immigration regulations during or after your studies. This includes aspects such as attending classes, obtaining a work permit (if required), and complying with immigration guidelines.
4.Immigration status: You must have a valid immigration status, for example, holding a study permit or a student visa.
5.No previous use of PGWP: If you have previously used a PGWP, you may lose your implied status. In this case, new conditions will apply to your PGWP application.
6.Applying within a specified timeframe: You must submit your PGWP application within a designated period after your graduation. This timeframe is typically 180 days after the announcement of your academic program results.
It is recommended that you contact the immigration consultants at PIS for up-to-date information and regulations regarding obtaining the PGWP. This way, you can choose the best and most secure pathway to obtain a work permit after graduation in Canada.
PGWP License Validity Period
The Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) in Canada has a variable validity period depending on the length of your study and the type of educational program you attend at a recognized Canadian institution (DLI: Designated Learning Institutions). The validity period of the PGWP is determined based on the following criteria:
1.Completed program less than 8 months: In this case, you are not eligible for the PGWP, and this permit will not be issued to you.
2.Completed program between 8 months and less than 2 years: The permit will be valid for the same duration as your educational program. In other words, if your study program, for example, lasted 10 months, your PGWP will also be valid for 10 months.
3.Completed program of 2 years or more: In this case, the PGWP will be valid for up to 3 years.
4.Completing more than one program: You can combine different educational programs to qualify for the PGWP, provided that each program is from a DLI (Designated Learning Institution) and lasts more than 8 months. In this case, the total duration of the PGWP will correspond to the combined length of your educational programs.
It should be emphasized that these durations and conditions may change and are determined based on Canada’s immigration and educational guidelines. Therefore, for accurate and up-to-date information regarding the PGWP, you can consult the experts at PIS immigration group to examine your specific conditions.
The deadline for applying for a work permit after studying in Canada
The application deadline for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) in Canada is the most important rule to pay attention to. The latest deadline to submit a PGWP application is usually within 180 days (six months) after receiving a transcript and official letter from your recognized Canadian educational institution (DLI). This official letter from the DLI confirms the completion and necessary conditions of your educational program.
If your study permit expires before reaching this deadline, you have two options to continue your activities in Canada or apply for the PGWP:
1.Apply for extended stay in Canada: You can apply for a temporary resident permit as a visitor in Canada. This temporary stay allows you to remain in Canada for the duration of your temporary residence permit.
2.Leaving Canada and applying for PGWP from outside the country: Another option is to leave Canada and then apply for the PGWP. In this case, the 180-day deadline for the PGWP application will not apply to you, and you must submit your application from outside Canada.
When applying for the PGWP, you must demonstrate that you have a valid study permit or are authorized to study in Canada without needing a study permit, based on the regulations set by the immigration authorities.
Final Word
In this article, we aimed to cover everything about obtaining a PGWP. This permit allows graduates of study programs in Canada to work as employees or entrepreneurs in Canada after graduation. The validity period of the PGWP depends on the length of study and the type of educational program, typically lasting up to a maximum of 3 years.
We hope that reading this text has been useful for you. Also, if you know any other points on this topic that haven’t been mentioned in the above text, we would be pleased if you share your thoughts with us and other readers of this article.