Canada increases the duration of interim work authorization letters for international students waiting for a decision on their work permit application.

Work authorization letters will now be valid for a duration of 180 days from the time of applying, as opposed to the previous 120 days. 

What Is An Interim Work Authorization Letter? 

Interim work authorization letters are documents issued by IRCC. They state that an international graduate can begin working from their work permit application & obtain a final decision from IRCC. 

These documents are issued to international graduates who can work full-time without a work permit while waiting for a decision on their work application if they apply for a work permit before the expiry of their study permit, provided that they meet specific conditions when applying. This enables graduates to begin working before they obtain a decision from IRCC on their work permit application. 

What Conditions Must International Graduates Meet To Be Issued An Interim Work Letter? 

Canada increases the duration of interim work authorization letters. Moreover, international graduates who wish to work before applying for their PGWP must: 

  • Have held a valid study permit at the time of submitting a work permit application
  • Have completed their program of study 
  • Have met prerequisites for working off campus without a work permit
  • They were full-time students enrolled at a DLI.
  • They were in a post-secondary academic vocational or professional training program of a minimum of 8 months in duration.
  • They obtained a diploma, degree, or certificate from their course.
  • They didn’t exceed the allowable hours of work for full-time students in Canada. Note that from November 15, 2022, to April 30, 2024, students were able to work more than the regular allotted 20 hours-a-week limit, thanks to a temporary public policy enacted by IRCC.

Applicants with work authorization letters are able to continue working in Canada, even after leaving & returning to the nation. An interim work authorization letter is not a travel document.

What Happens In Case 180 Days Pass Without A Decision On A Specific Application? 

IRCC notes that if 180 days have passed without a decision on the application, applicants might request continued proof of authorization to work from IRCC. This can be done using the IRCC web form.