The IRCC (Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada) extended its temporary public policy allowing distance learning to be eligible for PGWP (Post Graduation Work Permit) on Friday September 1, 2023.
International students who have completed less than fifty percent of their PGWP-eligible studies outside of Canada will continue to be eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) until December 31, 2023.
Before the pandemic, all international students were required to complete more than fifty percent of their coursework in Canada, and time spent more than 50% studying online outside of Canada did not contribute toward PGWP eligibility. However, due to the inability to travel during the pandemic, IRCC took out the restriction on online study for students who were already enrolled in PGWP-eligible programs as of March 2020, and students who started PGWP- eligible programs between March 2020 and August 31, 2022.
What this means is that anyone who began their studies abroad prior to August 31, 2022, is eligible to apply the entirety of that time towards eligibility of post-graduation work permit.
However, if a student began their studies between September 1, 2022 and December 31, 2023, only fifty percent of the time can be counted.
Eligible international students who submit an application for the PGWP (Post-Graduation Work Permit) before the expiration of their study permit are eligible to work full-time without a work permit while they await a decision on their application after meeting the conditions listed below:
1. Their study permit was valid at the time of applying for PGWP.
2. They have completed a study program eligible for the PGWP.
3. They meet the requirements for off-campus employment without a work permit on their study permit.
4. They did not exceed the maximum number of hours allowed by study permit.
International students whose study program was more than 8 months but less than two years are eligible for PGWP for a duration of 9 months. Students whose study program was 2 years or more are eligible for 3 years PGWP. Also, international students that complete two study programs are eligible for work permit amounting to the length of each program.
Note that you can only apply for a Post Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) once so it is paramount to do it right. Need help with your work permit application or reviewing an application you have already created? Send us an email on info@eseumohimmigration.com