If you have completed post-secondary education in Canada, you may be considering staying in the country to obtain valuable work experience.

In order to do this, one will have to apply for a post-graduation work permit. But what exactly is this permit, how does it work, and is it difficult to get approved? Let’s take a look at everything you’ll need to know about the application and we can help.

What is a Post-Graduation Work Permit?

Also known as PGWP, this permit makes it possible for students who have successfully graduated from an eligible Canadian university or college to gain work experience directly after graduation. In some cases, successfully obtaining this permit and working in Canada for a specific amount of time can help certain immigrants gain permanent residence in Canada via the Canadian Experience Class in Express Entry. In Quebec, you can also be eligible for the PEQ.

Once a student has completed their students, they can apply for this permit. Canada is interested in retaining immigrants to improve their economy, so the process of applying for a work permit is fairly easy. However, it must be done properly and accurately.

Currently, the PGWP program makes it possible for graduates to gain an open work permit for up to three years and work for any Canadian employer in virtually any industry without a job offer at the time of application. Students can also only receive one PGWP in their lifetime.

PGWP Validity and Application

Graduates can use their PGWP to work part-time, full-time, and be self-employed. The permit itself can allow a graduate to work in Quebec for a minimum of eight months up to a maximum of three years. The length of the work permit is determined by Canada immigration officers and is usually based on the duration of the student’s studies in Canada. Typically, winter and summer breaks are included in the accumulated length of the post-graduation permit. Most of the time, officers will issue a full three-year post-graduation work permit to graduates who have completed a 2-year course in Canada.

Currently, a graduate has 180 days total to apply for a PGWP after obtaining a final transcript and letter from the eligible school they graduated from.

In most cases, the post-graduation work permit can be extended when the permit length could not be provided at the time of application because of the expiration of the applicant’s passport. This is the only scenario in which the PGWP could be extended.

If a student manages to complete their studies in less time than the normal length of a program (usually by taking on a significant amount of credit hours at once) the PGWP can be assessed on the length of the actual program.

PGWP Requirements for Eligibility

In order to be eligible for the PGWP, you will need to have the following:

• Completed education in Canada at an academic, vocational, or professional training program that is a minimum of eight months long (or 900 hours in case of a DEP or ASP in Quebec).
• Held full-time student status in Canada during each academic session of the program of study, with the exception of the final semester.
• A transcript and an official letter from the institution confirming that the graduate has met all of the requirements to complete their program.
• Graduate from a public post-secondary institution, such as a university, college, trade school, CEGEP, or a private post-secondary institution operating under the same rules and regulations as public institutions in Quebec. Eligible schools can be found at the Designated Learning Institution list. Warning: not all schools listed on the DLI are eligible for the PGWP.

PGWP Travel Information

It is possible for a PGWP holder to leave Canada and return, but there are some requirements to consider.

A PGWP holder will need a temporary resident visa, or TRV, if they are not citizen of a visa exempt country. If a TRV is needed, one will have to submit a separate TRV application. One will need this visa if they would like to travel outside of Canada and return to work, unless travelling exclusively to the USA by land and returning by land before the expiration of their work permit.

If one’s native country does not require its nationals to have a visa, one can use an electronic travel authorization or eTA. An eTA is issued with a PGWP and can be used to leave and re-enter Canada during the lifespan of the PGWP.

How we can help

We believe that international graduate students should be able to easily submit a post-graduation work permit application in Quebec, Canada if they choose. Unfortunately, it’s easy to make some mistakes in the paperwork, especially if the applicant in question is not used to Canadian legal terms or is not fluent in English or French. Trying to make it work in a foreign country without any family or support is not a simple task. Regardless, we don’t believe it should prevent graduates from submitting their PGWP application with ease.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada can be strict when it comes to application accuracy. I am an immigration attorney and I have helped countless graduate students and graduates entering the workforce after their studies.

Let me help you extend your status in Canada and fill out your PGWP properly.

1. Book an appointment with me [put scheduling link https://quebecvisa.as.me/new-clients]

2. Bring with you your student records and other required documents to the appointment

3. Get a detailed plan for your extension application.

By working with our immigration law firm, you can be sure that you will meet with a top-tier lawyer and only I will handle your sensitive paperwork. All costs involved will be discussed upfront and honestly.

With our help, you will be able to feel sure about the extension of your status in Canada. You can focus on entering the Quebec workforce with your fresh degree instead of complicated immigration matters.

Book an appointment today! [put scheduling link https://quebecvisa.as.me/new-clients]

Disclaimer : The content of this blog is not legal advice and and may not be accurate or complete. If you require legal advice, contact a licensed legal practitioner directly.