Everything you need to know about applying for a PGWP during COVID-19.
Began studies in Canada but left Canada and are continuing their courses online from their home country OR
Have been approved a study permit for studies starting in May or June 2020 but will begin their program online from their home country due to COVID
The time spent in distance learning abroad will not be excluded when calculating the length of the PGWP.
While Canadian immigration has certainly seen it’s hand of changes over the last few months, there’s good news for international students hoping to apply for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP).
Missing Documents With PGWP Application
Due to many school closures, you may be unable to obtain a letter of completion or final transcript from your school. Applicants who apply for a PGWP can submit their applications without these documents but should provide an explanation of why they are unable to obtain these document(s). Once the documents are available, applicants should submit them using the IRCC Webform. If no documents are submitted, the documents will be requested by the processing officer.
Eligibility To Work After Submission of PGWP
If you submit your application before the expiry date of your study permit, but weren’t able to submit your letter of completion or final transcript, you are still eligible to work without a work permit until a decision is made on the application. The eligibility to work while waiting for a decision on your PGWP is as follows:
You had a valid study permit at the time of the PGWP application submission.
You’ve completed an eligible program of study.
You met the requirements to work off-campus without a work permit (you were a full-time student enrolled at a DLI in a post-secondary academic, vocational or professional training program of at least 8 months in duration that led to a degree, diploma or certificate), and
You did not exceed the allowable hours of work (20 hours during regular academic sessions and full-time during regular scheduled breaks)
PGWP Eligibility Requirements
Policy changes have been made to the PGWP eligibility due to COVID-19 for the following students;
Study permit holders who have already started studies in Canada
Study permit holders who had already begun their studies in Canada, but left Canada and are continuing their courses online from their home country
Study permit holders who are in Canada and started a program in May or June but courses are online
Applicants who have been approved for a study permit to begin a program in May or June but will begin their program online from their home country as they are unable to travel to Canada at this time
If you are one of the above, and have had to put your studies on hold or become part-time due to course cancellations as a result of COVID-19 in the winter or summer semester, you will still be eligible for a PGWP. Additionally, if you are in Canada and your classes have been moved to online studies due to COVID-19, you will still be eligible for a PGWP.
Distance Learning Outside Canada
If you are unable to travel to Canada due to COVID-19, you may have to start or continue your program through distance learning. You will remain eligible for a PGWP if at least 50% of your total program of study is completed in Canada. You will need to provide additional documents from your school to show which part of your program was completed in Canada.
Under normal circumstances, distance-learning courses completed outside Canada are excluded when calculating the length of a PGWP. This applies to students who: