Work after Studies

PGWP- The Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWPP)

Once the student completes the academic program requirements and applies for the PGWP, they are allowed to start working full time while they wait for the processing of the PGWP application. This is provided by section 186(w) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations. As the person is no longer a student at this point and is allowed to begin working full time, they can start accumulating Canadian work experience. PGWP entitles you to remain in Canada and work full time after you complete a certificate, diploma or degree that is at least 8 months in length. You don't need a job offer to apply and can work anywhere in Canada in any occupation, even if it's unrelated to your studies.

Eligibility requirements

• 1- Applicant must have temporary status in Canada or have left Canada.
• 2- Must have completed their studies while maintaining full time status from an eligible designated learning institution (DLI) .
• 3- Have received & must include with their application a transcript and an official letter from the eligible DLI confirming that they have met the requirements to complete their program of study.( The applicant may also provide a transcript copy from their DLI’s website.)
• 4- Must apply within 180 days meeting one of the following condition
  • They hold a valid study permit
  • They held a study permit
  • They were authorized to study in Canada without the requirement to obtain a study permit under paragraphs 188(1)(a) and (b) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations.

You can work full-time while waiting for a decision on your post-graduation work permit application if, at the time you submitted your application, you:

• Had a valid study permit
• Had completed your program of study
• Were eligible to work off-campus without a permit
• Did not work off-campus more than 20 hours a week during academic sessions

Challenges and ineligibility for PGWP

Ineligible applicants

1. 1- Second PGWP application-PGWP is issued only once.
2. 2-The applicant has completed the majority of the credits toward the completion of their program of study by distance learning.
3. 3- The applicant has completed a program of study delivered by a non-Canadian institution located in Canada, regardless of their length of stay in Canada.
4. 4- The applicant must be in compliant with the conditions of their study permit as per IRPA  paragraph R220.1(1)(b) such as be enrolled at a DLI remain enrolled & be actively pursuing their course or program of study.
   Warning: failing to observe the conditions of your study permit, you may be banned from applying for a post-graduation work permit for 6 months from the date you stopped your unauthorized study or work, per IRPA subparagraph R200(3)(e)(i).

1. 5-The applicant must maintain their full-time student status during their entire studies except for authorized leave from studies or with the exception of full-time status during their final academic session .
2. 6- Assessment of “actively pursue their studies”
   • a. At a minimum, students must have part-time status with their institution to be considered to be actively pursuing their studies.
   • b. Must be making reasonable progress toward the completion of their courses in the time allotted by the program.
   • c. Changing institutions or changing programs of study at the same institution the officer should consider the student’s reasons for the changes. In cases where multiple program or institutional changes do not appear to support the expectation that the student is making reasonable progress toward the completion of a Canadian credential, the officer may determine that the study permit holder has not fulfilled their study permit condition to actively pursue their course or program of study.
   • d. Leave from studies Students may be required or may wish to take leave from their studies while in Canada. For the purpose of assessing if a student is actively pursuing their studies, any leave taken from a program of studies in Canada should not exceed 150 days from the date the leave commenced and must be authorized by their DLI.
   • e. Deferred enrollment In exceptional circumstances, a student may be required to defer their program’s start date to the next semester. If the student defers their program start date, it should be formally approved by the DLI. In some cases, the deferral is imposed by the DLI
   • j. Working on or off campus not authorized during any leave from studies During any leave from studies, including school closures, study permit holders cannot work on campus or off campus, as they are not considered to be full-time students, are not on a regularly scheduled break and, therefore, do not meet the requirements of paragraph R186(f) or (v).

BUYER BEWARE

If your intention is to get open work permit after completing your studies you must know & understand that all Designated Learning Institutions may not necessarily be eligible for the purpose of obtaining post-graduation work permit.

See DLI List and then check under which programs of a particular institute qualifies for PGWP.

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/study-permit/prepare/designated-learning-institutions-list.html

Also

In order for an educational credential, obtained in Canada, to be eligible for CRS points in Express Entry for Canadian education, the Legal Status for the educational institution must be either Recognized or Authorized on the CICIC.ca webpage, which means the school meets the definition of an educational or training institution as per Section R73(1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations. The legislative status of the schools is explained on the CICIC.ca website.

Credentials from Registered schools would not be awarded CRS points as these are not considered recognized educational institutions pursuant to R73(1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations.