For a lot of foreign students, coming to Canada to learn is just the beginning of their dreams. They also hope to work there and possibly settle there permanently.
About 60% of foreign pupils intend to file for permanent residence in Canada, according to the Canadian Bureau for foreign Education (CBIE).
Many students are already aware that the extent of their post-graduate work permit (PGWP) in Canada depends on how long they learn there. The PGWP enables foreign students to work in Canada following their studies in order to gain the required work experience for their job and applications for permanent residence.
A one-year program will grant you a one-year post-graduate work permit (PGWP), and a two-year academic program will grant you a PGWP that can last up to three years. You can find more information on the PGWP procedure and criteria here.
Let’s now discuss the main topic!
You must work out how to become a permanent resident prior to the one-year PGWP expiration if you complete a one-year school and wish to obtain permanent residence status in order to live permanently in Canada. In Canada, there are various paths to permanent residency, each with a distinct set of criteria.
Here are some of the preferred routes to permanent citizenship.
To me, the one-year PGWP period represents a true battle against time for many students, particularly for those who must work in Canada and accumulate at least a year’s worth of professional experience there in order to qualify for permanent residence.
Some students, however, have managed to do this in the past and were at least able to file a complete application for permanent residence prior to the expiration of the one-year work visa.
However, to do this, careful planning is required!
The Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) Alternative
Knowing your choices for permanent residence in advance is important for your preparation, as is making sure your permanent residence application is complete before the PGWP’s one-year deadline. In the event that you are successful in doing so, you can then file for a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP), which enables you to carry on working up until a decision is made regarding your request for permanent residence.
Keep in mind that your PGWP can only be obtained once in your lifetime, but the BOWP will permit you to continue working while your application for permanent residence is being reviewed. Keep in mind that I said you had to have filed a full application for permanent residence. (so, it is not just expressing interest or setting up a permanent residence profile that makes you eligible for the BOWP).
Many students who are able to submit a full permanent residence application within the one-year time frame of their PGWP either obtained employment prior to or after completing their programs and began working when they applied for PGWP, or they only required the Canadian Degree to gain additional points for other permanent residence programs like Express Entry. Or they targeted different permanent resident schemes, like:
• Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP). More info here
• Atlantic Immigration program. More info here
• Student Provincial Nominee Programs. More info here
As a result, they were able to file an application to be qualified for a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) as described above and satisfy the criteria of a permanent residence program early enough. In other cases, students who are already employed and have a willing employer can obtain an LMIA sponsorship for work permit through their employer. With this, they can apply for other types of employer-specific work permits to continue living and working in Canada while their application for permanent residence is being processed.
Additionally, it is advised that students enrolled in one-year programs should think about attending school in a province with student candidate programs that don’t demand a complete year of Canadian work experience.
For instance, in the state of Saskatchewan, receiving a student nomination for permanent citizenship only requires six months of post-study work experience. Consider this, or know your other choices, if you are the kind of student who might require a nomination to improve your odds of becoming a permanent resident. Plan ahead!
Second Program Option
You also have the choice of enrolling in a second program for an additional year if you consider your choices and decide that it will be too challenging to complete and obtain your permanent residence with your one-year post-graduate work visa. (after the first program). With this, you can join both classes to obtain a work permit valid for up to three years.
Before you qualify for PGWP, you must complete the second program. In Canada, this is known as the “1+1 study.” The second program is available throughout Canada. It might be in a different location or province or another institution. You are fine to go as long as the DLI qualifies for both PGWP and DLI.
To enroll in the second school, you will also need to extend your study visa. To extend your study pass, you also need other papers and evidence of money. The procedure of obtaining a study permit renewal is simpler than it was when you first filed for a study visa from outside of Canada, which is a positive thing. You will send the application for an extension of your study visa from within Canada.
Post-PGWP Alternative
The following choices are available to you if you obtained a one-year PGWP but did not apply for permanent residency (or at least a complete permanent resident application to obtain a Bridging Open Work Permit, or BOWP):
- Return to school again and get a new study permit (but you won’t get another PGWP after that)
- Find a job/employer to support you with a valid job offer (and LMIA), and sponsor you for a separate work permit.
- Be sponsored for permanent residence by a spouse/partner who is a permanent resident or Canadian Citizen.
- Apply for a visitor record to maintain valid status (you cannot work legally with this, but can remain in Canada legally to explore your PR options)
NB: The articles and data on this website do not constitute legal counsel.