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PGWP allows students who have graduated from eligible Canadian designated learning institutions (DLIs) to obtain an open work permit to gain valuable Canadian work experience. Skilled Canadian work experience in National Occupational Classification (NOC) skill type 0 or skill level A or B that is gained through the PGWP.
Why is it important for immigration?
PGWP helps graduates qualify for permanent residence in Canada through the Canadian experience class within Express Entry.
Why Canada extended the PGWP to 18 months?
More than 58,000 graduates successfully applied to immigrate permanently in 2019, and their decisions to stay in Canada will help to address our stark demographic challenges.
International Students who were unable to fulfill the Canadian work experience obligations of their Post- Graduate Work Permit will be able to apply for a new one. The new policy was announced on January 8, 2021.
Foreign nationals in Canada affected by the pandemic with an expired or expiring PGWP will have a unique chance to apply for another open work permit. These will be valid for 18 months and allow former international students to remain in Canada, continue to seek employment, and build their future in this country.
How long does it take to get the PGWP?
Normal processing time for PGWP would be 3-5 months, with COVID and enforcement of this new policy, we can estimate it will take longer.
The eligibility requirements for this PGWP extension are as follows:
1. Your post-graduation work permit (PGWP);
- expired on or after January 30, 2020, or
- will expire within 4 months from the date you apply for this open work permit.
2. You were in Canada as of January 27, 2021, when the public policy took effect, and have stayed in Canada since then.
3. You either
- have a temporary resident status (this could be from having a valid PGWP, visitor record, or another permit that allows you to stay in Canada), or
- lost your temporary resident status, but you have already applied to restore it,
- lost your temporary resident status, but you’ll apply to restore it at the same time as applying for this open work permit
4. You include in your application that you are applying for an open work permit under this public policy.
5. You have a valid passport.
- The work permit will be issued for up to 18 months from the date of approval or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. For example, if your passport is valid for 6 months, then you will be issued an open work permit for 6 months.
- To maximize the duration of the open work permit, make sure your passport is valid for at least 18 months from the date of approval.
The blog post was written by our Lead Specialist David Santacruz.
If you are interested in knowing if you qualify or you want to know the options available, please contact us at www.ingwe.ca/contact-us.
