Although most Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) holders will be ineligible to apply for a permit extension, this article will detail if you may be eligible for an extension and the options available if you are not eligible.
A PGWP is a work permit available to international students who complete an eligible program while attending a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) in Canada. This permit allows the holder to work for almost any employer of their choice in Canada, and the experience gained through working on this permit can be used to assist the holder if/when they decide to apply for permanent residence (PR).
Who can extend their PGWP?
There are two groups of permit holders that are currently eligible for an extension on their PGWP.
PGWP holders with an expiring passport
PGWP extensions are available for permit holders who meet the eligibility criteria but did not receive the full-length permit because their passport was going to expire.
In this case, PGWP holders can apply to extend their PGWP and should include this information in a letter of explanation when they submit their application to extend.
Temporary PGWP extension policy
Effective as of April 6. 2023, PGWP holders whose work permit expired or will expire in 2023 – as well as those whose permit expired between September 20, 2021, and December 31, 2022 – became eligible for a permit extension of up to 18 months because of a temporary policy put in place by IRCC.
Through this policy, “eligible PGWP holders and former PGWP holders, including those who have valid temporary resident status”, are able to apply for an open work permit from within Canada.
IRCC notes that extension applicants residing outside of Canada at this time must apply for a regular work permit and make IRCC aware that they are applying under this temporary policy.
