The Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) is a work permit granted to students who have completed full-time programs of at least 8 months at public institutions. This permit is also extended to students in degree programs such as a bachelor's, master's or doctorate at private institutions. Some courses at private institutions in Quebec also grant PGWP to their students.
Here I will clarify some common doubts about the PGWP and its aspects.
About the application and documentation:
*It is not necessary to have a job offer to apply for the PGWP. However, the extension of the spouse's work permit requires the PGWP applicant to be working.
*Essential documents for the PGWP application include the academic transcript (official or from the institution's website) and the graduation letter.
*The deadline for applying for the PGWP after finishing the course is 180 days.
* Eligibility for the PGWP when studying part-time is limited to the last term; the rest must be full-time. It is crucial to provide adequate documentation to avoid being denied the PGWP.
*The PGWP application can be made from outside Canada, as long as the deadline mentioned above is met.
*It is not necessary to have advanced English to obtain the PGWP, and a proficiency test is not compulsory.
On spouses and dependents:
*The spouse's work permit remains unchanged after the PGWP application, valid until expiry.
*For the spouse application, the PGWP applicant may be working part-time.
*The application for the spouse extension can be made together with or separately from the PGWP, depending on the documentation available.
*Extension of children's studies can be done at the same time as the PGWP application, without the need for proof that the PGWP student/applicant is working.
About PGWP time:
*Taking two 1-year courses can guarantee a 3-year PGWP, a strategy suggested by some consultants.
* The PGWP will be valid for a period of 1 to 3 years from the approval of the PGWP, not the request for it.
On immigration:
*It is possible to apply for the PR at any time after submitting the PGWP application, provided you are eligible to do so.
*Experience during the PGWP can be counted towards the PR process, even before the PGWP is approved.
*The PGWP is an open work permit, which means that the applicant can work in whatever they want, but some immigration programs may require experience in the area of the course.
Final considerations:
*Upon receiving any official document of completion of the course, you must stop working until you submit the PGWP file.
*It is permissible to study in one province, obtain the PGWP and work in another, as the PGWP is a federal permit.
*It is possible to change jobs while awaiting PGWP approval, as long as the documentation is adequate.
Would you like to apply your PGWP and have the support of a specialized company? Contact us at info@futurecanimmigration.ca. We are ready to help you throughout the process.
