How to Apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit Program

This, while being an international student at any higher institution across Canada, may tend to seem daunting. If properly guided, the program presents a golden opportunity to be afforded work experience in Canada and probably to attain permanent residence afterward. We will, in this article, outline all the details included in the PGWP program by highlighting its eligibility, how to apply, and the benefits accruing from working with a PGWP lawyer in North York or a Refugee Law Firm in Toronto.

Understanding the PGWP Program

The PGWP Program is for international students who have completed their studies at a DLI here in Canada. It offers them a pathway to include relevant Canadian work experience in addition to their academic credentials, which might be an important stepping stone for career development and future immigration. Three basic requirements are therefore needed to qualify for PGWP: completion of study, confirmation of full-time student status, and confirmation of completion of study.

Eligibility Requirements

An applicant must have completed an academic, vocational, or professional training program that leads to a degree, diploma, or certificate from a DLI in Canada to be qualified in the PGWP program. The PGWP program stipulates that in order for study programs to be qualified, the language of the program is either in English or French; the program should not be general interest or self-improvement classes; and the institution should not be a private career college.

In addition to having completed their studies, applicants must have been a full-time student in Canada for all the academic sessions of the education program. There are, however, two exceptions: leave approved from studies that is subject to an assessment of applicants’ compliance with conditions of their study permit and changing from full-time to part-time in the last academic session.

Inadmissible Applicants

Applicants not eligible to apply in the PGWP program include those who already have a post-graduation work permit, students whose program of study or training has funding from GAC, or students under specific scholarship programs. The eligibility criteria are something an applicant must go through well enough in order to see and be sure that they really fit in.

Application Process

Applicants who apply for a PGWP before the expiry of their study permit are authorised to work full-time without a work permit while awaiting a decision on their application. However, they need to fulfil four eligibility criteria if they are to be hired during this period. They must have or had a valid study permit at the time they applied for PGWP; they ought to have completed the program of study; they need to meet the conditions for working off campus without a work permit; and they ought not to have exceeded the allowable hours of work allowed at the time they were on the study permit.

Benefits of a PGWP Lawyer in North York

The PGWP application process can be very complicated and complex to manage. Hence, it will always be worth considering finding services from a professional PGWP lawyer in North York, as this will go a long way in availing one with much-needed advice and assistance in the course of the application process. A PGWP lawyer can assist an applicant in verifying their qualification, packaging a strong application, and then addressing any issues that might arise in the processing of their application.

Refugee Law Firms in Toronto: Further Assistance

An applicant, besides working with a PGWP lawyer, may further get assistance from Refugee Law Firms in Toronto. These firms are specialised in immigration law and can fully assist an applicant with the PGWP application process. They are also qualified to recommend other immigration options, such as permanent residence, and help navigate through the various puzzling processes around Canadian immigration.

Spouses and Common-Law Partners

Spouses/common-law partners of PGWP holders can also apply for an open work permit under the C41 exemption for spouses and common-law partners of skilled workers. This provides an opportunity for family members to seek employment in Canada and contribute to the family income.

Temporary Resident Visa and Electronic Travel Authorization

If the applicant requires a visa and has applied offshore, approval of the PGWP automatically triggers a temporary resident visa. Applicants who do not require a visa to come to Canada are issued electronic travel authorizations on approval of the PGWP. Once the PGWP is issued, if the applicant requires a temporary resident visa or electronic travel authorization depending on their nationality, they can travel to Canada.

Conclusion

The PGWPP is an excellent avenue by which international students can gain work experience in Canada and perhaps work their way into permanent residency status. Therefore, knowing the eligibility criteria, how to apply, and the advantages that accrue from working with a PGWP lawyer in North York or a Refugee Law Firm in Toronto will enhance the applicant’s chances of success and unlock the floodgates for themselves that Canada may have to offer. The PGWP program might be the route to attaining your goals, whether you are an international student looking to obtain work experience or a family member wishing to join a loved one residing in Canada.