Canada is well renowned for its excellent educational system. This encourages a large number of overseas students to try and enrol in Canadian universities in order to earn a degree there, which enables them to gain good career opportunities later on. You need to obtain a student visa, which consists of a study permit and a visitor visa before you can begin studies at a Canadian university. It is also required that you begin your studies at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) and enrol in a programme lasting longer than six months. A DLI is an organisation that has received authorization from the Canadian government to admit international students. The duration of the student visa is limited to the period you are enrolled in the institution and ends upon your graduation. Nonetheless, a lot of graduates wish to remain in Canada to gain professional experience. They have to apply to the Post Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) in order to be able to accomplish that.

What Is a Post Graduate Work Permit?

International students who successfully finish their studies in Canada are issued post-graduation work permits, which are open work visas. The permission allows its users to work for any company, wherever, and for as many hours as they choose. Post Graduate Work Permits are a great way to obtain invaluable work experience in Canada. Upon employment in Canada, numerous avenues for acquiring permanent residency in Canada open up. 

Also Read: UK Student Visa: New Rules from 2024 Applications

Eligibility Requirements For PGWP

Graduates from within Canada and graduates from outside Canada may have slightly different eligibility for a post-graduate work permit in Canada. 

After graduating, in order to be qualified for a post-graduate work permit in Canada, you need to meet the following requirements:

• During the previous 180 days, you have had a valid study permit.
• Your visitor record is still active.
• You have applied for a status modification or an extension of your study permit before it expires, but you have not heard back yet.
• You finished a full-time course of study at one of Canada's designated learning institutions.
• There were a minimum of 900 hours in your study programme.
• You received your degree from a public post-secondary institution, a private institution located in Quebec that abides by the same regulations as public schools, or a recognised Canadian institution that is permitted by provincial legislation to award degrees.

It is necessary to have an approved study permit in order to apply for a PGWP, even if you are permitted to pursue education online from outside of Canada. Graduates from programmes qualifying for the PGWP outside of Canada must fulfil the following requirements:

• If you were enrolled in a programme with sessions that took place from January through March, you may submit a PGWP application.
• You already have a study visa or have been granted one if your programme started or is set to start between the spring of this year and the summer of the next year.
• You finished a study programme at an approved learning institution and applied for a study permit prior to starting your programme.

If you're considering applying for a postgraduate work permit in Canada, seek guidance from experienced study abroad consultants in Kerala regarding document requirements, costs, and more.

Documents Required

In order to prove your eligibility and provide support for your PGWP application, you as an overseas student would normally need to present the following important documents when applying for a Canadian PGWP:

The Study Permit

The document that permits foreign students to pursue their studies in Canada is called a study permit, and it needs to be valid for the whole time of the programme. It is necessary to possess a valid study permit at the time of submitting the PGWP application.

Passport

You must submit your PGWP application together with a copy of your valid passport. The passport needs to be valid for the whole PGWP and have enough blank pages for immigration and visa stamps.

Proof Of Course Completion

You must get one of the following documents as verification of your study programme completion before starting your PGWP application:

• A certificate of degree or diploma; a letter of completion from your DLI on the official letterhead of the university, which includes your full name, the programme you are enrolled in, and the date the programme was completed;
• A copy of the transcript from your DLI's website or the official transcript.

Proof Of Language Proficiency

As part of your PGWP application, you might have to submit documentation showing your proficiency in either French or English. Depending on the language of instruction for your study programme, this can be proven by the results of official language tests, such as the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or Test d'Évaluation de Français (TEF) scores.

Photos

In order to submit a PGWP application, international students must typically provide passport-sized photographs that are recent and meet the requirements set forth by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Photos have to be taken within a certain time limit and adhere to the specifications for size and format.

Additional Supporting Documents

Your PGWP application may require you to provide extra supporting documentation, depending on your specific situation. As required by the IRCC, these could include evidence of financial stability, health insurance, police clearance records, and other pertinent records. It is advised that you be able to complete an upfront medical exam at a Panel Physician if your line of work involves a physical examination.

How To Apply For Pgwp

As long as you are eligible, you may apply for a post-graduation work permit from within Canada or outside. You should alter your status as a visitor if you intend to stay in Canada and your study visa expires before you apply for a PGWP. After your study permit expires, you have up to ninety days to reestablish your student status; otherwise, you will be required to depart the nation. You may still apply through the Application for a Work Permit Made Outside of Canada form if you departed Canada after graduating.

Collect All The Required Documents

Obtain all of the required documentation to ensure a trouble-free, seamless application process. Check that all of your documentation, such as your passport, study permit, letter of completion, and other identity documents, are accurate and valid. Delays or rejections could arise from any mistakes or discrepancies. In addition, you may retain copies of every document you send with your application and any letters you exchange with the IRCC. These copies can be used as a source of information should any problems come up while your application is being processed.

Submit The PGWP Application

You can do this via mail or online. You would have to mail it to the specified processing centre if you want to complete this via mail. Most applicants would have to use the online application process. Make sure you accurately complete the application form and include all the necessary information. Check that your application is complete and that your responses are accurate. Applications that are erroneous or incomplete may be denied.

Pay The PGWP Application Fees

There are application fees for work permits in Canada that need to be paid in full. Depending on the circumstances, certain students might need to pay additional fees. You must enclose the payment receipt with your PGWP application.

Once your application has been submitted, you will have to wait for the IRCC to process it. There may be variations in the PWGP Canada processing time. In certain instances, in order to confirm your eligibility for PGWP, the IRCC could ask for more details or require you to appear for an interview. To prevent delays in the processing of your application, you must provide any further documentation and show up for any required interviews.

The IRCC will notify you of its decision after processing your application. A PGWP outlining the length of the permit will be issued to you in the event that your application is accepted. It is critical to thoroughly check the permission to make sure that all information is correct.

Also Read: Visa requirements for Indian students to study abroad in the UK

How Long Is The Pgwp Is Valid?

The length of your study programme determines the validity of the PGWP.

• Should your study programme have lasted less than eight months, you are not qualified for a PGWP.
• In the event that your study programme lasted between eight months and two years, your PGWP might be valid for the entire duration of the program, that is the PGWP would be for ten months if your programme lasted for 10 months.
• Your PGWP may be valid for three years if your study programme lasted two years or more;
• Your PGWP could be granted for up to three years if you participated in multiple programmes of study.

How A Pgwp Helps A Student To Immigrate To Canada

The goal of Canada's Post Graduation Work Programme is to give foreign students studying there an effective way to become citizens of the nation. An applicant is well-positioned to apply under the Canadian Express Entry immigration system if they are able to combine their education in the nation with significant full-time work experience. An Express Entry applicant is more likely to succeed in obtaining permanent resident status if they possess Canadian job experience and educational credentials, as these factors contribute to their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score.

Conclusion

For foreign students studying in Canada, obtaining a Post Graduation Work Permit can be a beneficial way to gain work experience in the country, look into job options, and possibly even pursue permanent residency. The PGWP application procedure might be complicated, so it's important to make sure your application is precise, comprehensive, and submitted on time. You can improve your chances of having a successful PGWP application by carefully reading the instructions, supplying all necessary information, and answering any further queries right away. Gaining Canadian job experience, improving your employability, and maybe paving the door for permanent residency in Canada are all advantages that come with obtaining a PGWP.

Globor is an online platform that provides information about the various study abroad consultants to help students study abroad. They serve as a comprehensive directory of the best study abroad consultants in Kerala, assist in narrowing down potential colleges and course information, and enable students to select and contact the most suitable consultant for their specific needs. For more information feel free to contact us now!