Post Graduate Work Permit—All You Need to Know
So, finally, the day has arrived. You have graduated from one of Canada’s many high-quality educational institutions, as an international student, and decided that you want to immigrate and make Canada your new home! But how do you go about transitioning from student to permanent resident? Answer. The Post Graduate Work Permit. This article shares about Post Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) and shows you how to maximize your chances of success.
The PGWP is the perfect once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for all students from recognized Canadian public post-secondary institutions to stay and work in Canada after graduation.
PGWPs are open about post graduate work permits that allow international graduates to work for any employer without restrictions.
This is important for international students as a route to permanent residency because it provides the opportunity to gain all in important Canadian work experience, build relationships with Canadian employers and improve your Express Entry score.
The Post Graduate Work Permit is a fantastic program that assists international graduates with an essential step to obtaining Canadian permanent residency.
We at Canada Immigration Partners are here to make the process easy so that you can concentrate on building your new life in Canada. So read on to know how you can get your Post-Graduation Work Permit.
Eligibility
To be eligible for PGWP you must:
- Be at least 18 years.
- Have a valid study permit.
- Have enrolled and continuously studied full-time in at least an 8-month-long study program in Canada with a recognized institution. Except for the final academic session, where part-time studies are allowed.
- Have completed and passed a study program at a public or private post-secondary institution that operates under the same rules and regulations, or at a Canadian private institution that can legally award degrees under provincial law.
- Apply for a work permit within 90 days of confirmation of completion of your study program.
Please note that if you complete a study program recognized by a non-Canadian institution in Canada, you are not eligible for the PGWP program. However, if you complete a study program that has other factors involved such as an exchange, you will be eligible as long as you receive a Canadian educational qualification.
A medical exam is mandatory for students opting for careers in health care or education.
Validity
The duration of a PGWP totally depends on the actual length of the study program (and not the time is taken for completion) up to a maximum of three years. If the duration of your study program is between eight months to two years. Then you will be entitled to a permit for a period equal to the duration of your studies.
It is important to know that any recognized program of two years or more will get you a three-year work permit. That could mean a two-year study program or even a four-year degree.
Application
You must submit your application for PGWP anytime within 90 days of either receiving a letter of confirmation from your educational institution or the date of issue of your final marks (whichever comes first) signifying that you have successfully completed your program of study.
Also, apart from the standard forms and documents essential for work permit applications, your application must include the following:
- A final transcript/ letter from the institution and/or a certificate of graduation
- Proof of payment of application fees ( CDN $ 100.00 as open work permit holder fees + CDN $ 155.00 as work permit processing fee)
I cannot tell you how many people I have seen who have had their PGWP applications rejected. Because their application was incomplete or they missed the $100.00 open work permit holder fee.
Technically you cannot apply for a postgraduate work permit at a point of entry. You can apply online but you will need access to a scanner or digital camera for scanning and uploading your documents and a valid credit card to make payments.
Make sure that you complete your PGWP applications promptly. If IRCC rejects your application because it isn’t complete, you may be able to reapply before your study permit expires.
In ten years of practice in consultations. I have seen a few cases where students have invested in Canadian education. And completed their course but fell at the last hurdle and did not get their Post Graduate Work Permit. This resulted in missing out on the opportunity to transition to Canadian permanent residency.
Open Spousal Work Permits
You need to realize that, unlike students, spouses and common-law partners of PGWP holders do not automatically qualify for open work permits. You can only get it if you have a PGWP and are in skilled employment. And you can prove it to IRCC by presenting:
- A letter from the current employer as proof of employment, and
- A copy of one or more payslips.
How we can help…
We are here to assist you at every step with your all about post graduate work permit. And we will provide you with strategies to improve your chances of receiving an invitation to apply through Express Entry.
If you would like to live in Canada permanently. We can assess your eligibility and provide practical advice to get you closer to your goal. You can also speak to one of our Canada Express Entry Consultant providers for more info! Hope this article helps you to know all about post graduate work permit.
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by Matthew Sell
