If you want to stay in Canada beyond your Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), there are several routes you can take depending on your goals and personal circumstances.
The PGWP is a one-time deal, and there are no extensions. Generally, it lasts as long as your study program. So if you did a one-year credential, you get a PGWP for one year. It can be valid for up to a maximum of three years.
As an open work permit, a PGWP allows you to work for any employer anywhere in Canada. However, if you want to apply for Canadian immigration, you can get a job in a “skilled” occupation.
This term, “skilled”, currently refers to occupations Canada categorises into skill levels 0, A, and B on the National Occupational Classification (NOC). These skill levels will change in 2022 when the new occupation classification system comes into effect. You can check the skill level of your occupation on the government website.
Although there are certainly immigration options for people who work in other occupations, having work experience as a skilled professional can qualify you for Canada’s most popular immigration pathway, Express Entry.
We cannot tell you which pathway to Canadian immigration you should take, and there is no easy route. However, what we would like to do with this article is spell out all your options to stay beyond your PGWP so you can make an informed decision based on your individual preference.
Here are five options for PGWP holders to remain in Canada after their permit expires while FHS draws stay at a standstill:
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Canada Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)
Many Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) are offered to international graduates in Canada who wish to settle in their province.
Many nominee programs, known as ‘enhanced’ PNPs operate using the Express Entry system. Receiving a nomination through an enhanced PNP allows a candidate to receive 600 points toward their Express Entry CRS score. Canada has continued to hold Express Entry draws for PNP recipients throughout the pandemic.
This means a PGWP holder could benefit from Express Entry’s expedited processing time. This could allow PGWP holders to receive permanent residence status as soon as 6-months after applying.
There are still PNP options available for PGWP holders who have not completed work experience in an occupational skill type eligible for Express Entry. Many provinces offer ‘base’ PNPs, which often allow candidates in skill types C and D to apply.
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Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)
The Atlantic Immigration Program helps confident recent graduates become permanent residents from an Atlantic post-secondary institute. This program may allow PGWP holders to remain in Canada before their permit expires.
To be considered, candidates must have completed a qualifying program of at least two years. Qualifying graduates must also hold a job offer in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, or Newfoundland and Labrador. The job offer can be skill type A, B, C, or 0.
The benefit of this program is that eligible international graduates do not need to meet minimum work experience requirements. This allows PGWP holders to apply, even before they’ve started working. This may be beneficial for PGWP holders that haven’t gained enough work experience to use through other programs before their permit expires.
The Atlantic Immigration Pilot program ended on December 31, 2021, and will be replaced with the permanent Atlantic Immigration Program on March 6, 2022.
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Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP)
Suppose you graduated from a publicly funded post-secondary institution in one of eleven select rural communities across Canada. In that case, you might be eligible to apply under the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP).
The pilot program requires candidates to have completed a master’s degree or a post-secondary program of at least two years and spent a minimum amount of time in the community.
Each rural community also has its eligibility criteria for applicants that intend to apply to their program.
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Work permit
Most work permits require employers to go through the lengthy and costly process of obtaining a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
However, there are other options to apply for a work permit that does not require an LMIA. Canada’s International Mobility Program (IMP) enables Canadian employers to hire temporary foreign workers without the need for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). To apply for an LMIA-exempt work permit, your work must have broader economic, cultural, or other competitive advantages for Canada and reciprocal benefits enjoyed by Canadians and permanent residents.
If you are eligible to apply for permanent residency before your PGWP expires, you may also be eligible to apply for a bridging open work permit. This permit will allow you to work while waiting to finalise your permanent residency application.
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Enroll in a new post-secondary program
Enrolling in a new post-secondary program in Canada could allow you to remain in Canada and work up to 20 hours per week. If you are eligible for Express Entry but are waiting to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA), this may be a way for you to stay in Canada in the meantime.
It is important to note that you cannot continue working in Canada if you no longer hold a valid work permit or have maintained status, and you must have good quality to remain in Canada.
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