Are you done with your studies in Canada and confused about the next step?
PGWP is the next step towards living your dream life in Canada. Canada has long been a desirable destination for international students looking to continue their studies abroad. It is renowned for its high-quality educational institutions, excellent job opportunities and beautiful scenery. For international students who wish to stay in Canada after graduation, the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) program is the way to make this happen.
It provides an opportunity to work in Canada after completing the studies and advance your career and gain Canadian experience to pave the way towards achieving permanent Residency.
This article covers all the information regarding Post Graduate Work Permit.
What Is PGWP?
The Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) is a document issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) that allows students who have graduated from a designated learning institution (DLI) in Canada to work in the country for up to three years.
To be eligible for a PGWP, an international student must have completed a full-time academic or vocational program at a DLI. The program must have lasted at least eight months, and the student must have finished it with a passing grade from a secondary institution, such as a college, university, or trade/technical school. The program must have been either a diploma, degree, or trade/vocational program. The permit is granted for the time equal to the length of the study program, with a maximum of three years.
Students must also have a valid study permit when they complete the program and apply for the PGWP within 180 days of receiving written confirmation of program completion. In addition, the student must have held valid status during the entire duration of the program. Once a student has applied for the PGWP, they will receive a letter of introduction that confirms their eligibility and provides them with a work permit for up to three years.
Who Is Eligible For PGWP?
Canadian Government has formulated specific necessities to be able to work under “PGWP.” It provides you with a way to apply from both inside and outside Canada.
To obtain a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), an international student (in Canada) must fulfill the following conditions:
• Completed a full-time program of study at a designated learning institution (DLI) in Canada, a diploma, degree, or certificate (minimum duration of eight months).
• The program shouldn’t be less than eight months. Any program for at least eight months or more than that will get you PGWP for the same period as your program.
- 8 MONTHS COURSE: provides PGWP for 8-12 months.
- 2 YEARS COURSE: provides PGWP for three years.
• Acquired credentials from a public or approved private post-secondary Canadian school, like a college, trade or technical school, university, CEGEP (in Quebec), private post-secondary school (in Quebec) following the same regulations as public schools, or a private secondary or post-secondary school (in Quebec) that offers programs of 900 hours or more and leads to the issuance of a vocational studies diploma (DEP) or an attestation of professional specialization (ASP).
• Applied and accepted for a PGWP within six months of receiving a written verification from the DLI that all necessities for the program of study have been met.
Outside Canada:
Before August 31st, 2022: international students can finish all their coursework online and still be eligible for the PGWP by enrolling in courses from another country or submitting a study permit application.
First of September 2023: After this date, all study abroad time “shall be subtracted from the length of the PGWP for international students, regardless of when the international student’s studies were first initiated.”
What Is The Process To Apply For PGWP:
The application process for Post Graduate Work Permit is relatively easy. By meeting the eligibility criteria for PGWP, anyone can apply for it from anywhere.
The following steps should be taken into consideration before filling for PGWP:
• Apply for it within 180 days of your graduation date, receiving written confirmation of your program completion from your educational institution. The mode to apply can be online or offline.
• On the IRCC website, submit all the desired documents confirming the completion of the studies, which include:
- A copy of your study permit.
- A copy of your Canadian study permit extension approval letter.
- A copy of your final marks and transcripts from the Institute.
- Any Proof of identity, such as a valid passport.
After you have completed the application form, collected all the necessary documents, and paid the application processing fee, you will need to submit your application.
If the application is approved, you will receive a PGWP. The PGWP will allow you to work in Canada for up to three years after you have completed your program of study.
Processing Time In PGWP?
There is no promised period by IRCC for the processing of PGWP. It generally takes 60-180 days. In general, processing times for the PGWP can vary depending on the applicant’s situation. As a rule of thumb, processing times for the PGWP can range from one to three months.
This is because the PGWP requires a complex application process where the applicant must submit a valid study permit, proof of completion of their post-secondary program, and a valid passport.
In addition to a standard processing time, applicants may experience longer processing times when their application is subject to additional processing. This can occur when an applicant needs to provide more evidence of their qualifications or their case requires other security checks or verifications.
To help expedite the processing time of their application, applicants should ensure that they have supplied all of the necessary documents and have paid the applicable fees.
Applicants should seek to update their application in the event of any changes, such as changes in marital status or contact information. One can regularly check their application status as it will allow them to see the progress of their application and provide an estimated timeline for when their application is likely to be processed. Overall, the processing time for the PGWP can vary depending on the applicant’s situation.
Eligible Courses For PGWP:
To qualify for PGWP, an educational program must be full-time, continuous, more extended than eight months, and offered by a recognized educational institution. In addition, the school often has to fit one of the following criteria:
- Universities, colleges, trade schools, or technical schools that receive public funding.
- Few private secondary or post-secondary schools in Quebec; or
- Private institutions authorized by the province to grant Bachelor’s, Master’s, and doctoral degrees.
Check the school’s listing on the IRCC website to discover if it offers PGWP-approved programmes rather than relying on speculation. Call the school to confirm as well.