Post grad work permits are issued to Graduates of Canadian DLI’s. Once completed their studies they can apply for this work permit which is from 1 to 3 years in length.
Let’s chat about PGWP’s. What makes them so special. Well, the biggest benefit is that they are an open work permit and do not need a LMIA or Labour Market Impact Assessment. This gives the holder of the work permit permission to work for any employer in Canada.
Post Grad Work Permits are just what it sounds like. It’s a permit that is given to international students for a term from 8 months to 3 years depending on the length of their studies.
These permits can be used for
Full-time work
Part-time work
Self-employment
A PGWP works like this. Once an international student complet
Post Graduate Work Permit (PGWP)
Let’s chat about PGWP’s. What makes them so special. Well, the biggest benefit is that they are an open work permit and do not need a LMIA or Labour Market Impact Assessment. This gives the holder of the work permit permission to work for any employer in Canada.
Post Grad Work Permits are just what it sounds like. It’s a permit that is given to international students for a term from 8 months to 3 years depending on the length of their studies.
These permits can be used for
Full-time work
Part-time work
Self-employment
A PGWP works like this. Once an international student completes their education, they can apply to get one. If a student had a program that is more then 6 months in duration but less the 1 ½ years they will get a permit equivalent to the education time.
However, if a student has a program that is more then 1 ½ years in length they will qualify for a 3-year post grad permit.
Now this does have some variables that could alter the way these permits may be issued. For example.
Accelerated studies. If a DLI (Designated Learning Institution) has a program that would normally take 1 year to complete but the student is able to complete it in 8 months they may get a 1-year PGWP instead of 8 months.
Students that are affected by a strike are still considered in full time studies during the strike period. This does not affect their PGWP and if it happens in their last year of studies, they are still considered to qualify for the PGWP.
Distant learning is not classified as learning towards a PGWP, even if the student comes to Canada and completes their studies it is not calculated towards time for a PGWP.
These should be noted if studying abroad.
If more then 50% of the education is studied abroad then a PGWP will not be considered
If less is studied abroad then the PGWP will be considered but based on the time that it was complete for the issuance of a permit.
If a student decides that they wish to change DLI the studies still must add up to more then 8 months in duration to qualify for a PGWP and if they have done part of the education in a facility that is not a DLI then that part of the education doesn’t qualify towards the PGWP.
If a Student completes a study program overseas, they still qualify for a PGWP if the DLI is recognized as an earned Canadian Education Credential. Note: an officer make contact the intuition to verify that the studies did get completed in that institution
A student upon completion of their studies from a DLI has 180 day to obtain a letter of completion of the program and then may apply for their PGWP. The calculation of the day from which the 180 days commence is from the day that the final marks are issued or the day a formal letter stating that the program is complete.
Applicants can apply for their PGWP if
Their study permit is still valid
They have a valid visitor record because they had changed their status before the study permit has expired while they had been waiting for the confirmation of graduation from their learning institution. However, they do not qualify to work while they are awaiting the decision of their PGWP application under this guideline
They are implied status because they submitted the application to extend or change status to visitor or student before the expiration of, they study permit and there has been no decision
Applicant who allows their study permit to expire must
Leave Canada and apply for a new permit from overseas
Apply for a restoration of status as a student and pay the PGWP fees along with the restoration fee.
After a student who does apply for a post grad work permit before the expiration of your study permit does have the right to work on implied status while awaiting a decision if they also meet the following guidelines
They were holding a valid study permit up applying for PGWP
They have completely finished their study program to graduation
They have met the guidelines for a program by completing at least an 8-month study program
They did not exceed the hours that they were allowed to work while in the educational program.
Here is a note that I think most students do not consider when on a post grad work permit beyond the governmental requirements.
When a student completes their studies most students do plan on staying in Canada as a PR in the future. However, most students do not plan the next step long before their work permit is expiring.
What is meant by that?
Well, most students upon completion of their program may find new work or continue with an employer they had been working for before completion of their program and do not consider that these employers may only be survival jobs. (A survival job is a job that helps you pay the bills from month to month)
Students should from the moment they complete their studies start planning on the best route that will make them eligible for either EE or PNP programs for permanent residence. In most cases this means a survival just is just that.
Do work in a job that pays your bills
Do continue to search for work that is in your field of study. Apply for every job you can find. Even in other Provinces. Moving is just a flight or bus ticket away. Your future is depending on it
Do try to find work even if in not your area as study at least it will be in a 0, A or B occupation and this will give you the points to help you apply for the program to keep you here.
Do plan on the worse. What I mean by that is if you are going to be able to find work that will benefit you in a PR application then consider applying for another student study permit and take another course for 1 year is necessary.
Do Not stay in a survival job they entire time you are on your PGWP. You should be planning on how to get off it
Do Not wait until you have 2 months left on your PGWP to find a job that may require a LMIA. This is not what you want to do. You want a job that pays well and can help you reach your goals
Do Not expect someone else to do your searching for you. Your career is your responsibility.
