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If you wish to apply for a PGWP, you must do so within听180 days听from the first date you receive official written confirmation of completion of studies (either Senate meeting date or letter from Service Point, whichever comes first). You can apply for your PGWP听as soon as you have proof of completion of your program requirements. You do not have to wait for 180 days to apply.
IMPORTANT!
Within the 180 days from the date you apply for your PGWP, you must hold or have held a valid Study Permit. If your study permit expired prior to you receiving proof of completion of studies, you will听苍辞迟听have the full 180 days from proof of completion of your studies to apply for your PGWP.
Your Deadline to apply for your PGWP is:
- 180 days from official written confirmation of completion of studies;听or
- 180 days from the expiration of Study Permit
whichever comes first.
The examples below illustrate how to calculate the PGWP application deadline.
CASE SCENARIO 1:听Study Permit expires听after听receiving proof of completion of studies
Mohammed鈥檚 last registered term was Fall 2018. The expiry date on his study permit is August 31, 2019. His degree was granted on February 21, 2019.
When is his deadline to apply for the PGWP?听His deadline to apply for his PGWP听is August 21, 2019. This is because 180 days from February 21, 2019, when his degree was granted, is August 21, 2019.听Watch out!听Mohammed鈥檚 study permit becomes invalid 90 days from proof of completion of his studies.
See section on听When does my Study Permit become invalid听听below and timeline below:
The听earliest听Mohammed can apply for his PGWP is on February 21, 2019, once his degree has been granted. The听latest听he can apply is August 21, 2019, which is 180 days from when his degree was granted.
CASE SCENARIO 2:听Study Permit expires听before听receiving proof of completion of studies
Ana鈥檚 last registered term was Summer 2018. Her study permit expired on August 31, 2018. Her degree was granted on October 24, 2018.
When is her deadline to apply for the PGWP?听Her deadline to apply for her PGWP听is February 27, 2019. This is because she must have held a valid study permit 180 days from the date she applies for the PGWP. 180 days from August 31, 2018, which is when her study permit expired, is February 27, 2019.听Watch out!听Ana does听not听have until April 21, 2019, to apply for her PGWP.
See timeline below:
The听earliest听Ana can apply for her PGWP is on October 24, 2018, once her degree has been granted. The听latest听she can apply is February 27, 2019, which is 180 days from the expiry of her study permit.
You can apply for your PGWP either from within Canada or from outside of Canada. Depending on where you apply from and what you choose to do during those 180 days, there are important consequences to be aware of.
Important:听When does my Study Permit become invalid?
Your study permit becomes invalid 90 days after completion of studies听or听the day on which it expires, whichever comes first, as per听.
If you do not apply for your PGWP while your study permit is still valid, you must do one of the following听before听your study permit becomes invalid:
1. Apply to change your status to a visitor听or
2. Leave Canada.
See timeline below:
Applying for your PGWP as a student from within Canada
If you apply online for your PGWP from within Canada while your study permit is still valid, you can听听as long as听you have been continuously full-time throughout your studies, with the exception of your final term.
Applying for your PGWP as a visitor from within Canada
Please submit a myISS Request Form to request an appointment with an ISS Immigration Advisor.
Applying for your PGWP from outside of Canada
You may apply for your PGWP from outside of Canada听as long as听you are still within 180 days from the date you completed your studies. You do听not听require a valid study permit or valid visitor status in order to apply for your PGWP from outside of Canada.