What Next After Your PGWP Expires?

The Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) is issued to eligible international students soon after their graduation in Canada. The PGWP is a one-time deal that lasts as long as your study program. So if you did a one-year credential, you get a PGWP for one year.

Assurance of getting a PGWP right after graduation to gain work experience in Canada has been the most significant factor in attracting increased international student migration to Canada.

The international student population in Canada has now tripled over the past decade to 642,000 in 2019. Canada has moved into third place globally behind the United States of America and Australia.

How to Stay in Canada After Your PGWP Expires?

An open work permit option like Post Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) is available for international students right after their graduation to earn valuable work experience in Canada. This is an open work permit that allows graduates of a designated learning institution (DLI) to work for any employer in Canada and gain invaluable Canadian work experience.

However, if you want to settle in Canada, CanApprove recommends you get a suitable job in a “skilled” occupation first. This is because having work experience in a skilled occupation can qualify you for Canada’s most popular immigration pathway, Express Entry.

1. Express Entry 

Express Entry is simply an application management system for three federal programs namely:

• Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP);
• Canadian Experience Class (CEC); and
• Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP).

You need to be eligible for any one of the three programs to immigrate through Express Entry. After that, you are in the pool of candidates which are ranked based on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). This depends on factors like age, education, work experience and language proficiency in English or French.

You can only apply for immigration after you receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) from Canada’s immigration department, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Click here to get an overview of Canada PR nomination draws in 2021.

2. Provincial Nominee Program

Provincial Nominee Programs are separate pathways managed by individual provinces to invite eligible immigration candidates to meet their specific labour market demand. There are two broad categories of PNPs, Enhanced PNPs & Base PNPs.

Enhance PNPs search the Express Entry pool to invite candidates to apply for a provincial nomination. Such Express Entry candidates get an automatic 600 points toward their overall score. This makes them a certain candidate to receive an invitation to apply for permanent residence in Canada.

Those who do not qualify for Express Entry may still be able to immigrate to Canada through a base PNP. These programs allow you to apply for a provincial nomination directly to the province, which then supports your application for permanent residence to the federal government.

PNPs do not necessarily require you to have any experience in the province, nor a job offer – although those things generally help.

3. Atlantic Immigration Pilot

The Atlantic Immigration Pilot makes it easier for Atlantic Canada employers to hire foreign talent. You may qualify if you are hired in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, or Nova Scotia.

4. Quebec Immigration 

In order to immigrate to Quebec, you need a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ). Which supports your immigration application to the federal government. If you speak French, studied and worked in Quebec, you may be eligible for the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ). International students need to meet certain eligibility criteria for their education, prove their French language proficiency and demonstrate that they intend to settle in Quebec.

Even though Quebec is the most independent province in terms of immigration, only the federal government can issue permanent residency status.

5. Family Sponsorship

You can be sponsored by your spouse or common-law partner if they are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.

Canada is Prioritizing the Immigration of International Students

Canada is historically built on the success of immigrants in the country. With advancements in education standards and infrastructure in the country, Canada is able to attract & retain International students to benefit out of their relatively young age, their Canadian credentials, their proficiency in English or French, and in some cases, their Canadian work experience.

During the period of their study course, student immigrants would have integrated well into their local communities and built social networks for themselves. This becomes an excellent ground to consider granting them permanent residency as well.

Take this free assessment online to determine your eligibility.

Get in touch with our dedicated overseas education advisors to suggest trending study courses in Canada.