PGWP In Canada: How To Get Your Post-Graduate Work Permit
Canada attracts international students because of its high-quality education. They consider the country to be ideal for employment or entry-level work after graduation. The post-graduation work permit, or PGWP, is another excellent incentive for graduates to pursue quality work experience in Canada. The following article will guide you on how to get your PGWP Canada, including who can apply and how to apply along with the required documents.
Introduction
The Post-Graduate Work Permit is one of the primary incentives for international students to study in Canada. It is, in fact, the opportunity for graduates from eligible Canadian institutions to stay and work in Canada after finishing their studies. It can be as long as three years in length, depending upon the length of the study program completed. This permit opens pathways to permanent residency besides helping international students gain professional experience in Canada.
If you are applying for a PGWP, then here is everything you will need to know for a hassle-free process.
How to Apply for Post Graduate Work Permit
The application process for obtaining a Canada Post Graduate Work Permit is not complicated. Nonetheless, it is important to follow each step in the application process to ensure that it is completed. Here's how you can apply:
Apply Online: Most applicants must apply for a PGWP online. From June 2024, you can no longer apply at a port of entry, such as an airport or land border, upon arriving in Canada.
Timeline: An application must be submitted within 180 days, or six months almost from the date of when you receive your final grade or an official confirmation letter by your institution. Guess what? You can apply even if your study permit expires during this period as long as it is valid when you complete your studies.
Fees: The application fees for the PGWP include an open work permit holder fee and the standard work permit fee. You are charged CAD $255, with the open work permit holder fee being CAD $100 and the work permit fee CAD $155.
Restoring Student Status: If your study permit has expired, you can apply within 90 days by restoring your student status with an additional fee.
When you submit your application, you become eligible to stay and work in Canada while your application is being processed, as long as you comply with all of the requirements that apply.
Also Read:- Canada PGWP 2024: All You Need to Know About New Changes
Required Documents
You should know that there are a few key documents that you have to present at the time of submitting your application for a PGWP. Here's what you may need to present:
Evidence of Program Completion: You will require documentation proving that you have completed your study program at an eligible Canadian institution. Some examples of these are your final transcript, a formal graduation letter from your institution, or even a degree/diploma.
Valid passport: While applying for the PGWP, a valid passport is required. In case the applicant's passport expires before that time, the work permit provided would only be valid till the expiry date of the passport and later apply for an extension if needed.
Study Permit: The study permit must have been valid at any time during 180 days prior to making your application for a PGWP, but not necessarily.
Other Documents: Other documents might also be required, depending on the circumstances, such as if you intend to carry out work that is classified into certain fields, for instance, such as medical examination results if you are proposing to work in particular fields like healthcare.
Who can apply?
Not all international students in Canada are qualified for the PGWP. You must have met the eligibility criteria:
College or University Type: You need to have graduated from a Canadian-designated learning institution (DLI). As with the "Specific Programs" condition, eligibility is to particular programs and schools; hence, ensure your school is among the list qualified by DLI for a PGWP.
Program duration: Your study program must be at least eight months long. Your program is over two years; you could be eligible for a PGWP of up to three years.
Full-time Status: You need to be a full-time student during the time of all your registrations. There are again some exemptions: the last semester of a part-time period, among others.
Previous holder of PGWP: If you already have a previous PGWP then you are not qualified to apply.
Conclusion
The Post-Graduate Work Permit offers a great opportunity for international graduates to gain work experience in Canada and build their lives in the country. The application of PGWP is not complicated, provided one follows the procedures and confirms that he or she satisfies all criteria to qualify. One should not forget that it needs to be submitted within the specified timeline and submission of all relevant documents must be done to avoid delay in the PGWP processing time.
Apart from that, the PGWP might act as a stepping stone to permanent residency in Canada. Work experience obtained through the PGWP has helped several graduates qualify for immigration programs such as the Canadian Experience Class, making it a valuable tool for people who want to establish a future in Canada.
It would be an important step toward obtaining a PGWP for staying in Canada after graduation, so gather all of your documents and apply within the specified period and criteria.
