Although most PGWP holders will be ineligible to apply for a permit extension, this article will discuss whether extension/ renewal of PGWP is possible or not.
A PGWP is a work permit available to foreign nationals who complete an eligible program while attending a DLI in Canada. This permit enables the holder to work for almost any employer in Canada & the experience via working on this permit can be utilized to assist the holder if/ when they can apply for PR.
For How Long Is PGWP Valid?
One of the most significant aspects of a PGWP is that the permit’s validity period depends on the length of the academic program completed by the applicant. Notably, in order to be eligible for a PGWP, the program should be eight months long. From there, IRCC provides the following guidelines pertaining to the validity of PGWP.
- For completed programs of eight months to two years, successful PGWP applicants will obtain a permit valid for the same length as their program. For instance, an international student who completes a program of twelve months will obtain a permit valid for 12 months.
- International students who have completed more than one eligible program at a DLI might be able to combine their program length in order to extend the validity of their resulting PGWP. In this case, every program still needs to be more than eight months long.
- For completed programs of two years or more, the resulting PGWP will be valid for around three years. This is the maximum validity period of any PGWP.
As the PGWP validity nears its end, many international students wonder what steps they should take next. Well, this is specifically true for PGWP holders with less than one year of work experience in Canada, who often seek more experience in order to become eligible for PR.
Who Can Extend Their PGWP?
Regarding the extension/ renewal of PGWP, it is important to note that two groups of permit holders are presently eligible for it.
- PGWP Holders With An Expiring Passport
Extension/ renewal of PGWP is available for permit holders who meet the eligibility criteria but did not obtain the full-length permit because their passport was going to expire.
In this case, PGWP holders can apply to extend their PGWP & should include this information in a letter of explanation when they submit their application to extend.
- Temporary PGWP Extension Policy
Effective April 6, the PGWP holders whose work permits have expired or expired this year became eligible for a permit extension for up to 18 months because of a temporary policy put in place by IRCC.
Through this policy, eligible PGWP holders & former PGWP holders, including the ones who gave valid temporary resident status, are able to apply for an open work permit in Canada.
IRCC notes that extension applicants residing outside of Canada at this time must apply for a regular work permit & make IRCC aware that they are applying under this temporary policy.
Note: The extension/ renewal of PGWP will be valid for up to 18 months or until the candidate’s passport expires, whichever comes first.
What Are My Alternatives If I Cannot Extend/ Renew My PGWP?
For PGWP holders who are ineligible for an extension/ renewal of PGWP, IRCC provides numerous options for those looking to extend their stay in Canada. Two of these alternatives include:
- Visitor Visa
A visitor visa enables the holder to gain admission into the nation as a visitor for six months. This kind of visa might be issued in a single-entry/ multiple-entry format.
- Visitor Record
An individual who wishes to extend their stay in the nation as a visitor can apply for a visitor record. It is vital to note that visitor record applications must be submitted at least 30 days before the expiration of international applicants’ present status in Canada, such as the expiration date of a PGWP.
- Bridging Open Work Permit
A BOWP can be obtained as a means of staying in Canada while a foreign national awaits the decision on the permanent resident application. This implies that to be eligible for BOWP, PGWP holders must apply to become permanent residents of Canada.
Other Work Permit Options
PGWP holders who are ineligible for an extension might also pursue various work permit options, presuming that they meet the eligibility criteria for that particular permit.