Latest Canada Post Graduate in 2024 – Work Permit

A comprehensive primer to the Canadian post-graduate work permit, including the necessary documents, eligibility criteria, and frequently asked questions.

Quality education is a highly regarded attribute of Canada. This draws a significant number of international students to pursue a degree at a Canadian university, which will provide them with lucrative employment prospects in the future.

In order to enroll in a Canadian university, it is necessary to obtain a student visa, which is comprised of a study permit and a visitor visa. Additionally, you must enroll in a program that is lengthier than six months and commence your studies at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI). A DLI is an institution that has been authorized by the Canadian government to enroll international students.

The student visa is valid for the duration of your enrollment in university and will expire upon your graduation. Nevertheless, a significant number of pupils aspire to remain in Canada in order to acquire work experience following their graduation. In order to accomplish this, they must enroll in the Postgraduate Work Program.

This article will provide a comprehensive overview of the program, including its purpose, application procedures, and other pertinent information.

Is it possible for me to continue working in Canada after I have completed my studies?

Numerous students desire to acquire work experience in Canada following their matriculation and inquire about the possibility of securing employment and residing there for an extended period. If the student who has recently graduated is eligible and approved for a Post Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) in Canada, the Canadian Government permits this.

The PGWP enables the graduate student to remain in Canada and work for a Canadian company, contingent upon the duration of their studies and their eligibility.

Requirements

The PGWP is a program that provides provisional residence in Canada and, as a result, has a number of requirements. In order to qualify for the PGWP, the following criteria must be met:

• A minimum age of 18 is required.
• You must have been a full-time student in Canada for a minimum of eight months.
• Proof of completion of your academic program is required.
• You must have completed your education at one of the following institutions:
  • A vocational education program from Quebec or a public college or university in any Canadian province;
  • A private college or university in Quebec that adheres to the same regulations as a public university or college;
  • A private secondary or post-secondary institution in Quebec that provides programs of 900 hours or more and results in a professional diploma.
  • A Canadian private institution that is capable of conferring degrees such as a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD;
• Within 90 days of your graduation, you are required to submit an application for a work permit.
• At the time of your application for a work permit, you must possess a legitimate study permit.

Nevertheless, there are certain exceptional circumstances that may qualify you for a PGWP, even if you do not meet the aforementioned criteria:

• You completed an expedited program in six months, despite its initial duration of eight months.
• You transitioned from one DLI to another, and the total duration of your studies at the two institutions exceeded eight months.
• You transferred from a non-DLI institution to a DLI institution and completed a minimum of eight months of study at the DLI (the time you spent at the non-DLI school does not qualify you for a PGWP).
• Due to a reduced course burden, you pursued your studies part-time during your final semester.
• You are a flight instructor who:
  • Has successfully completed a flight training course at a Canadian training center and is now in possession of a Canadian commercial pilot license, or
  • You are currently in the process of obtaining the instructor rating and an employment offer from a flight training center to serve as a flight instructor.
• In order to graduate from a vocational or professional training program in Quebec, you must satisfy the following criteria:
  • You must have completed secondary education at a public or private institution or post-secondary education at a private institution.
  • Your diploma must be a Diploma in Vocational Studies (DEP), Attestation of Vocational Specialization (ASP), Diploma in College Studies (DEC), or Attestation of College Studies (AEC).
  • Your curriculum must have been full-time for a minimum of eight months.

To be eligible for the PGWP, you must meet these criteria. Otherwise, you will be required to return to your native country within 90 days of graduating and will be unable to remain in Canada.

If you are in any of the following circumstances, you are ineligible to receive a PGWP:

• You have participated in a study program that is less than eight months in duration.
• You have been studying for over eight months, but the time has not been uninterrupted.
• You were a participant in the Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship Program, which is funded by Global Affairs Canada (GAC).
• You were a participant in the Government of Canada Awards Program, which was funded by the GAC.
• The GAC provided you with funding.
• You were afforded equal opportunities. Scholarship for Canada in Chile;
• You participated in the Canada-China Scholars Exchanges Program.
• You participated in the Fellowship Program of the Organization of American States.
• You have successfully completed your academic program as a distance learning student, whether from within Canada or abroad.
• You have already completed a PGWP.

What is the process for applying to the PGWP?

The Post Graduation Work Permit application process is straightforward and can be completed online using your Government of Canada login (GCKey or bank details) or in person by submitting a paper application.

We suggest that you attempt to register online if you are eligible, as the processing time for online applications is significantly shorter than that of paper applications. To initiate the application process, visit the Government of Canada website and complete the following forms:

• IMM 5710 – Application to Change Condition, Extend My Stay, or Remain in Canada as a Worker;
• IMM 5409 – Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union (if you have a common-law partner);
• IMM 5476 – Use of Representative (if you are granting permission to another individual to apply on your behalf);
• Imm 5475 – Authorization to disclose personal information to a designated individual (if you are employing a representative);

In addition to the forms, you are required to submit the following documents:

• A duplicate of your current passport;
• A copy of your most recent, legitimate immigration documents, including a study permit, work permit, or visitor visa.
• Your final transcript from the university;
• A letter from your institution verifying your graduation;
• A letter from your institution verifying the duration of your academic program (in hours or months) and the program identifier, if you have studied in Quebec.

After you have submitted all the required documents, you will be directed to pay the fees for the PGWP application. Subsequently, you must await processing, following which the Government of Canada will notify you of their decision via email or mail. Upon approval of your PGWP, you are permitted to commence employment immediately for the designated period.

What is the processing period for the PGWP?

The Government of Canada is responsible for processing the Post Grad Work Permit application after it is submitted. If you submitted your application through their online system, you will be required to wait approximately 51 days for the PGWP application to be processed. If you have submitted a paper application, you will be required to wait for processing for 107 days.

What are the fees for the PGWP?

The application fees must be paid in order to submit your registration for the PGWP. The PGWP is marginally more expensive than the student work permit because it is classified as an open work permit.

More specifically, you will have to pay the standard work permit application fee of CAD$155 and an additional CAD$100 for the open work permit to get the PGWP. Therefore, the total cost of your PGWP application will be CAD$255.

How long is the PGWP valid?

The PGWP’s validity is contingent upon the duration of your study program.

• You are ineligible for a PGWP if your study program was less than eight months in duration.
• Your PGWP may be valid for the duration of your study program, provided that it was between 8 months and 2 years. For example, if your program was 10 months, your PGWP will be valid for 10 months.
• Your PGWP may be applicable for a period of three years if your study program lasted for two years or more.
• Your PGWP may be issued for a maximum of three years if you have completed more than one program.

Check Also: Latest Canada Student Visa in – Complete Guide

Benefits for Latest Canada Post Graduate

• Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) Eligibility: Graduates of eligible programs are eligible to apply for a PGWP, which grants them the right to work in Canada for a maximum of three years.
• Open Work Permit: The PGWP is an open permit, which means that it allows users to work for any employer in any field, thereby offering career opportunities and flexibility.
• Work Experience: The work experience acquired through a PGWP is considered for permanent residency (PR) applications under programs such as the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
• Extra CRS Points: The completion of a Canadian degree or diploma grants you additional points in the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) for Express Entry.
• Provincial Opportunities: Numerous provinces prioritize international graduates in their nomination streams.
• High Employability: A Canadian credential is highly regarded on a global scale, which significantly improves your career prospects.
• Job Market Advantage: Employers in Canada frequently favor candidates with local work experience and education.
• High-Demand Sectors: Graduates have the opportunity to enter thriving industries, including finance, engineering, healthcare, and technology.
• Professional Networks: Assisting in post-graduate employment searches, internships, co-op programs, and part-time jobs contribute to the development of a professional network during the course of studies.

Can I get Permanent Residence in Canada with a PGWP?

Upon completion of your PGWP, you may be uncertain as to whether you are eligible for Canadian Permanent Residence. The answer is contingent upon whether you meet the criteria for any of the Canadian permanent residences that can be obtained through employment, including:

• Canadian Experience Class;
• Federal Skilled Workers Program (FSWP);
• Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP);
• Provincial Nominee Program;
• Atlantic Immigration Pilot.

Qualifying for any of these permanent residence programs is contingent upon factors such as your language proficiency (English and/or French), occupation (managerial, trade, skilled), and the presence of family members who are either permanent residents or citizens of Canada.

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