The Post-Graduation Work Permit
Are you a postgraduate student seeking a work permit? Not sure of how to go about it? Curious about the processing time? You do not need to worry, as we have detailed answers to your questions. This article will examine the processing time for a post-graduation work permit majorly, including what it is and how to go about it. Let’s get started!
What is a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)?
A Post-Graduation work permit refers to an open work permit offered to international students who happen to graduate from a Canadian academic program. The post-graduation work permit offers the holder a good opportunity to work for any employer. Which includes how many hours they wish and any location in Canada.
PGWPs are generally valid for between eight months to three years on receival. It is a great way to obtain a valuable work experience in Canada. This is because, with profound work experience, the holder is open to lots of opportunities. Which includes obtaining a permanent Canadian residence.
Post-Graduation Work Permit Processing time
To obtain a PGWP, one can spend up to 80 to 100 days. However, while this process is on, the applicant can work in Canada. To be able to work, you need to apply prior to the expiry date of your student permit.
The applicant of PGWP has 180 days to apply for the permit. This 180 days is exactly from the date you completed all required procedures for the program of study.
For a student overseas, you can also apply from overseas. Initially, the PGWP application was required to be submitted exclusively within Canada. But it can now be done from overseas. However, if a PGWP application is submitted outside Canada, additional documentation is required. This will depend on the visa office in charge of processing the permit.
How many times can I apply for PGWP?
The Post-Graduation Work permit can only be applied for once. If in a case, you are planning on taking another academic program, which is a continuation of your study, you might want to employ strategy while applying. Strategy is also required if you are considering taking a longer degree program in Canada. Obtaining after a long period of study will offer you a PGWP with longer validity.
Eligibility for PGWP
To qualify for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), the applicant must be at least 18 years old. Such an individual should also have studied full-time in Canada in a program that must have been concluded at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI).
Also, to be eligible for the permit, the applicant must apply within a period of 180 days of the conclusion of the study program.
In a situation whereby the applicant is applying from within Canada, they ought to have a valid status, particularly at the time of application. If their study permit happens to have expired or will expire, they may need to apply for status as a visitor first. After that, they can apply for the PGWP.
However, individuals who apply for a PGWP before the expiration of their study permit are qualified to begin working full-time immediately. They can work, while their application is processing. Applicants can also apply for a post-Graduation work permit from overseas.
Summary of what you need to know about PGWP
- A post-Graduation work permit can be in use at any time between eight months and three years.
- It will not be issued for a period of time longer than the applicant’s required duration of study in Canada.
- On a general note, the PGWP will likely be approximately the same duration as the applicant’s period of study. This is usually up to a maximum of three years.
- In as much as more than 50% of your study program is conducted through in-person classes, the applicant is qualified for a PGWP equivalent to the duration of the program study.
- If the applicant studied part-time or took accelerated studies, the length for the post-graduation work permit will be the exact length of the program taken in terms of a full-time program.
Eligible Levels of Study
Not all levels of study are eligible for the Post-Graduation Work permit. Here is the list of the levels of studies eligible for the Post-Graduation Work Permit:
- One of the qualified levels of study for the PGWOS is the public post-secondary school. This includes college, trade/technical school or university. It also includes CEGEP in QUEBEC.
- Another level of study is the private post-secondary school. This type must operate under the same regulations as public schools. However, this only applies to some institutions in QUEBEC.
- It includes private secondary or post-secondary schools in Quebec, offering qualified programs of over 900 hours. The programs should be leading to a diplome d’etudes professionnelles (DEP) or an attestation de Specialisation Professionnelle (ASP).
- A Canadian private school that can legally award degrees under the provincial, exclusively for those enrolled in study programs leading to a degree as granted by the province.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for a work permit right after my PGWP?
The PGWP does not prevent you from applying for any other work permit. You are certainly free to apply for permits such as the LMIA or LMIA exempt permit if you are qualified to do so. More so, it is wise to consider applying for Canadian permanent residence since you already have Canadian work experience. There are some beneficial immigration programs that offer options for a candidate with Canadian work experience. They include:
- Canadian Experience Class
- Provincial Nominee Programs
- Quebec Immigration Options
- Federal Skilled Worker Program
Can I work after graduation before I apply for my PGWP?
International students, eligible to apply for a PGWP before the expiry of their study permit, have the right to work legally in Canada. These individuals do not need to acquire a Canadian work permit while they wait for their PGWP. However, if the student permit expires, the candidate may be required to restore the status and apply. This is only if they have been out of status for less than 90 days.
Conclusion
When applying for a Post-Graduation Work permit, it is wise to follow due process. Ensure to adhere to all instructions and provide all required documents. With a PGWP, one can easily proceed to get a good job as well as work towards the permanent residence in Canada. For more information, kindly visit commutepassport.com.
