PGWP-Eligible Programmes Canada
If you’re a Nigerian that just graduated from a Canadian programme of study and would like to become a Permanent Resident (PR) in Canada and work for as many hours as you wish, then you need to apply for the Post-Graduate Work Permit.
For more information regarding PGWP-Eligible Programmes in Canada and any other immigration-related questions, get in touch with us at IAS. Call our Lagos office on +23413438882, reach out to us on +44 (0) 3316300929 or contact us online.
Want to Remain in Canada After Your Graduation?
We have helped many Nigerian graduates in remaining and working in Canada with Post-Graduate Work Permits. Our team of seasoned lawyers is well-equipped to support you through the entire application process and address all the questions you might have regarding PGWP-eligible Programmes.
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What Is a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)?
The Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) is an open work permit issued to international students who graduated from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) in Canada. It should be noted that not all programmes Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) offer are eligible for the Post-Graduate Work Permit.
The PGWP length is from 8 months to 3 years depending on how long your full-time programme lasts and not how long it took you to complete your programme requirements.
The PGWP lets international students remain in Canada and also engage in post-graduate work for any employer and switch jobs in any province of Canada. The Post-Graduation Work Permit lets graduates work and gain valuable work experience in their jobs in Canada.
Nigerian graduates in Canada can qualify to obtain permanent residency in Canada through this PGWP to PR Canada programme, which issues graduates work permits to acquire skilled work experience in Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities. These are also known as TEER categories 0, 1, 2 or 3.
The application for the work permit is made once in a lifetime and you only have 180 days grace period to apply after receiving a letter of completion from your school.
Eligible Programmes For The PGWP
You may not be eligible for a PGWP if you graduated from a programme that was offered by a private career college that is under a curriculum licensing agreement with a public Post Graduate Work Permit-eligible institution, which is in another province.
To be eligible for the PGWP programme, the programme you’re pursuing has to last for at least 8 months, which allows you to spend a significant time in Canada.
Students are provided a transitional period for peculiar situations, for example, if they have submitted an application for a PGWP on or before January 31, 2023, or they are already enrolled in such programmes. Then you will be eligible for a PGWP if you meet all other eligibility criteria and remain in such programmes.
You may also not be eligible for the PGWP if you have completed a general interest or self-improvement course, a course of programme of study at a private career college, an English as a second language, or French as a second language programme of study or course.
However, some Canadian Universities and Colleges offer a variety of programmes that focus on academic and professional training. These Canadian Universities and Colleges offer varieties of programmes that issue diplomas, degrees, or certificates to students that could help them become eligible to get PGWP at the end of their studies.
Eligible Institutions For The PGWP
There are certain institutions that are eligible for the PGWP. They include:
- A private post-secondary institution that operates under the rules also set for public institutions in Quebec.
- A public post-secondary institution such as a university, trade or technical institution, college, or a General and Professional Teaching College (CEGEP) in Quebec.
- A public or private post-secondary institution that offers qualifying programmes of 900 hours or longer in Quebec, which issues an Attestation of Vocational Specialisation (AVS) or a Diploma of Vocational Studies (DVS). However, an AVS of less than 900 hours, if combined with a DVS, will be accepted.
- An authorised Canadian private institution that awards degrees under provincial law. For instance, Associate, Bachelor’s, Master’s or PhD degree. This is only feasible if the applicants are enrolled in a degree-awarding study program as authorised by the province.
Flight School Graduates and PGWP
As a flight school graduate, you must submit clear evidence that you meet some basic requirements for a permit in order to obtain a PGWP. You need to show that you’ve done the following:
- You are in the process or have obtained an instructor’s rating, and you have received an employment offer as a flight instructor from a DLI flight training centre in Canada.
- You have obtained a Canadian commercial pilot’s license after completing a flight training course at a DLI training centre.
Graduates of Vocational and Professional Training Programmes in Quebec
Vocational and professional training programmes can be offered at the post-secondary or secondary levels in Quebec. The provision of the Memorandum of Understanding of Canada and Quebec to facilitate the entry of certain temporary foreign workers states when foreign national students are eligible for a PGWP.
In order to qualify for a post-graduation work permit, you have to graduate from a renowned Quebec secondary institution with any of AVS or DVS.
It must be noted that you have to get the diploma from the Department of Education and Higher Education (Ministère de l’Éducation et de l’Enseignement supérieur (MEES)).
How Can IAS Help
There are so many programmes and possibilities to advance your studies in Canada as a Nigerian. But you might not really know what to do in order to remain in Canada once you complete your studies in Canada.
As a starting point, you need to know that not all programmes offered by DLIs are eligible for Post-Graduate Work Permit. Because of this, the selection of the right institution and programme of study could be complicated for you.
Do not worry, IAS can help. We are a team of expert immigration lawyers with a track record of assisting international students in remaining in Canada after completing their study programmes.
We will help you throughout your PGWP application and guide you in paying your PGWP fees correctly. We will also help you choose the best institution and course that suits your needs and at the end of your course of study, you’ll have a great chance to qualify for a work permit and ultimately get the Canadian permanent resident status you have always wanted.
For more information regarding PGWP-Eligible Programmes in Canada, and any other immigration-related questions, get in touch with us at IAS. Call us today on +23413438882 or +44 (0) 3316300929, or contact us online.
Last modified on October 26th, 2023 at 12:12 pm
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you don’t have to attend your graduation ceremony or wait until you receive your diploma physically before you can apply for a post-graduation work permit.
You just need the following to apply for a PGWP:
- A copy of your transcript from the website of your school or an official transcript.
- A confirmation of completing your study program through an official letter from your school.
To check if a programme is eligible for PGWP in Canada, you need to visit the official IRCC website, where you will find a list of the DLIs by provinces or territories. From the list, you will know the institutions that offer eligible programmes and the ones that do not.
The DLIs that offer eligible programmes will provide a link for more insights regarding the programme of your choice.
You may get a 3-year post-graduation work permit from an immigration officer when you complete a doctoral or master’s degree in Canada. This comes after your DLI has provided you with its approval through a written confirmation of programme completion stating that your degree lasted for 16 to 23 months, excluding scheduled regular breaks.