The advantages of studying for a higher education in Canada are known worldwide. With one of the best education systems, welcoming culture, and growing economy, international students come in very large numbers to study here. A major advantage, apart from the value of the education itself, is the opportunity to work in Canada for longer periods. This is not just part-time off-campus work, or co-op terms as part of the conditions of a degree. The Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) is an open work permit that allows full-time employment by graduate students for up to 3 years in almost any occupation, which gives both flexibility and the opportunity to gain valuable Canadian work experience. It is a natural prior step towards applying for permanent residency through Express Entry (see the prior series of posts on that program for more details). A spouse or common-law partner may even qualify for their own open work permit, as well.
For students interested in this benefit (or even prior to being admitted to the school), certain details are very important.
Normally, the work permit cannot be extended beyond the initial validity period, but in 2022 and 2023, due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, IRCC made policy changes to allow extensions of 18 months, along with interim authorization. The normal 90 day limit on restoring status is also waived in order to allow those who left Canada when their permit expired to return and thus continue contributing to the Canadian economy. It is self-evidently good policy to allow former students who obtained an education, often over several years in Canada, and then worked for perhaps just as long to be allowed to remain in Canada to prevent any gap in employment between the expiration of the work permit and the submission of an application for a bridging work permit as part of a PR application. More information about bridging open work permits will be detailed in the next blog post.
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This blog details the many legal issues among Luka's practice areas, for a general audience. None of this information is a substitute for legal advice. Archives
April 2023
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