The government of Canada updated instructions for students graduating outside of Canada for application for the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWPP) on February 7, 2022.
Based on the new instructions, the online study eligibility period for international students has been extended, and students can complete their studies outside Canada by August 31, 2022. International students who have been enrolled in a PGWP-eligible program between March 2020 and summer 2022 can complete 100% of their program online and still get a PGWP.
For students to be eligible for the temporary policy changes to the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWPP), they must meet one of the following requirements:
have a study permit
have been approved for a study permit
have submitted a study permit application prior to beginning their program and have eventually been approved
Students graduating in Canada or who apply at the port of entry are still required to apply for the PGWP within 180 days of receiving written notification of program completion from their designated learning institution (DLI).
Also, graduating students from outside of Canada who meet the eligibility requirements of the temporary PGWP policy changes described above do not need a valid study permit within 180 days of applying.
However, to be eligible to apply, graduates must have a valid study permit or have received approval for their study permit. They must also apply within 180 days after receiving written notification from their DLI that the program is complete.
It is important to know that, once the department receives an application for a study permit from an institution outside of Canada, the time spent studying outside of Canada will begin to count towards PGWP length. As a result, studies conducted before the department received the study permit application can be deducted from the PGWP length.