Canadian Immigration News

Post-Graduate Work Permits Gets Some Changes

1.5 minute read
"The government of Canada recently announced that it plans to expand and extend the temporary changes made to the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) program. These temporary changes were made to help PGWP holders and potential applicants at the time of the pandemic."
Written by My Visa Source Team
Published on:  Jul 10, 2021
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The government of Canada recently announced that it plans to expand and extend the temporary changes made to the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) program. These temporary changes were made to help PGWP holders and potential applicants at the time of the pandemic. 

The PGWP is for international students who have recently graduated from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) in Canada. The PGWP is an open work permit that will allow international graduates to work anywhere in Canada for any employer. Gaining Canadian work experience ultimately helps international graduates to be eligible for certain immigration pathways including the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and several Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). 

To be eligible for a PGWP, applicants must apply within 180 days of receiving their degree, diploma, transcript, or certificate. International students with expired study permits must leave Canada within 90 days if they aren’t interested in applying for a PGWP. A PGWP is issued for 3 years and can not be renewed.

What Changes Were Made to the PGWP During the Pandemic?

During the pandemic, the Canadian government made provisions to allow former international students who currently hold or have held a PGWP to apply for a renewal for 18 months if they meet certain criteria. In addition to this, the requirement to be a full-time student for a PGWP was also waived.

This will allow international students who completed their entire program online, remotely to qualify for a PGWP.

These measures apply to all international students who enrolled in an eligible study program that began or will begin in Spring 2020 and Fall 2021. These measures also apply to international students whose study program was already started before March 2020. 

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