How to Get Open Work Permit After PGWP in Canada

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Suppose you graduated from DLI and are looking for a job but are still unsure about work permits. Plus, you aim to choose an employer that perfectly suits you for future job endeavours. You must be wondering how to get an open work permit after PGWP.

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You are in the right place; here, you will find out what you need and what opportunities await you when you get an open work permit. What’s best? BorderPass takes over the whole process for you.

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You better not wait. Let's speed things up!

What is an Open Work Permit?

It is a legal document allowing you to be employed as a foreign national in Canada. If you have an open work permit, you are not tied to just one employer, a specific position, or a location.

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You must have graduated from a designated learning institution (DLI) and are eligible for a post-graduation work permit program. 

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But to be able to work at all, it's time to change your study permit to a work permit after completing your studies.

Benefits of an Open Work Permit

A wide selection of employers, a position tailored to your needs, and the freedom to move from location to location are the main benefits that make an open work permit one of the most sought-after documents.

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By gaining significant work experience and working towards your business goals, you can open the door to permanent residence in Canada more easily and quickly.

Freedom to Choose Any Employer

Open work permits are in high demand precisely because you can apply for a job at any company. The freedom to choose a profession or an employer is priceless.

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This way, you are giving yourself a faster path to advancement by seeking work experience that can only benefit your career.

No Job Offer Required

Since the open work permit doesn’t require a separate job offer, you don’t need to meet certain conditions as with other documents.

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Accordingly, a job offer is not a requirement to qualify for an open work permit.

Flexibility to Explore Various Job Markets

Besides, different types of jobs are available, so obtaining an open work permit in Canada opens the door to many business opportunities and flexibility of industry choice.

Opportunity for Spouses and Common-law Partners

You already know Canada is a welcoming country encourages individuals to prosper and have a better future. An open work permit is also a unique opportunity for spouses or common-law partners of international students to start life in Canada and gradually create 

Building Canadian Work Experience

While studying, you will surely want to gain experience in your field. Step by step, you acquire enough knowledge to be qualified in a company. Building Canadian work experience is a significant step forward toward the pathway to permanent residency

Potential Pathway to Permanent Residency

Although open work permits don't lead you directly to permanent residency, the good thing is that you can have various job opportunities that will allow you to make crucial steps for many other essential things in the future.

Eligibility Criteria for Obtaining an Open Work Permit

You have the right to an open work permit if:

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• You have graduated from a designated institution of learning and are eligible for a post-graduation work permit program
• If you do not have enough financial resources to cover your studies
• You are at risk of being abused in connection with your work in Canada
• You are a dependent family member of someone who has applied for permanent residence
• the Atlantic Immigration Program or the Atlantic Immigration Program
• You are a refugee, a refugee seeker, a protected person or a member of their family
• You are the holder of a temporary residence permit
• You are the spouse, common-law partner or dependent child of a low- or high-skilled worker
• You are the spouse or common-law partner of an international student
• You are the spouse or common-law partner of a pilot candidate

Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) Requirements

First, you must have a degree from a designated learning institution (DLI). second, you must have a postgraduate work permit. Third, you have valid temporary status or have left Canada.

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Plus, they must meet the following criteria:

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• You have completed a training program at an appropriate institution in Canada lasting at least eight months and have a certificate or diploma
• You have maintained full-time student status in Canada during each academic session of the program or study programs
• You have a transcript and an official letter from a qualified DLI to prove you have completed the program.

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Make sure you meet all these requirements, as you only have one post-graduation work permit in your lifetime.

Permanent Residence Program Requirements

After graduation, many international students think of staying in Canada permanently. To achieve this, several eligibility factors affect PR, including age, language skills, and level of education. Particular emphasis is placed on work experience of at least 12 months; a specific requirement is that candidates prove that they have at least 12 months of full-time work.

Qualifying Institutions and Programs of Study

One of the well-known requirements for any international student is to attend a designated learning institution (DLI).

Master list of designated educational institutions:

• Alberta
• British Columbia
• Manitoba
• New Brunswick
• Newfoundland and Labrador
• Nova Scotia

The most popular programs of study in Canada are:

• Computer science and information technology
• Engineering
• Human Resources & Public Relations
• Hospitality
• Nursing

Language Requirements

In accordance with Canada's English and French-speaking areas, you are expected to know one of those two languages.

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Working in Canada mandates specific requirements such as IELTS, a recognized English language proficiency test. To meet the language requirements, you must achieve at least 5.5 points in the four IELTS band requirements with an overall minimum score of 6.0 and above for undergraduate and graduate programs.

Valid Study Permits and Visas

For a valid study permit and visa, you are expected to get a letter of acceptance from a designated learning institution (DLI), a valid passport or travel document, a provincial attestation letter (PAL) from the province or territory where you plan to study, and proof of financial support.

Foreign Workers and Permanent Residents

Employers must obtain a Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to bring in foreign workers to fill temporary labour and skills gaps. 

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Two years of work experience or educational qualifications are required to meet the requirements for permanent residence.

Common-Law Partner Eligibility Criteria

Common-law partner means that he or she is not legally married to you, is 18 or older, and

lives with you for at least 12 consecutive months.

You must share:

• Joint ownership of residential property
• Joint tenancy or tenancy agreements
• Bills for joint utility bills.

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If you want a common-law partner visa in Canada, you need approximately 12 months.

Applying for an Open Work Permit After PGWP

Even if you may have previously gone through the co-op work permit application during graduation, you will surely want to extend your experience and apply for an open work permit after you graduate.

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It's expected that you'll start working when you graduate so that you can apply for an LMIA or LMIA-exempt permit. Still, after you've had some work experience, it's not out of the question to start thinking about applying for Canadian permanent residence.

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First, let’s see which documents you need for the online application process.

Online Application Process

You are eligible to apply for a PGWP within 180 days of graduation, when you need to submit:

• The program you have completed
• Name and length of the program

To avoid unnecessarily involving yourself in paperwork, turn to BorderPass and save time.

Required Documentation

The documentation you need to prove that you have completed your studies is:

• Diploma
• DLI official letter
• An official transcript or a copy of the transcript from your school's website

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This is best done online.

Proof of Post-Graduate Work Permit Status

As proof of post-graduate work permit status, you submit a copy of all the following documents to the potential employer:

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• Evidence that you have completed your program
• A copy of your transcript from your school's website
• A copy of your study permit
• A copy of the acknowledgment of receipt of your post-graduation work permit (PGWP) application if you applied online
• A copy of your letter VP-EXT to PGWP (IMM 0127 E) confirming that you are authorized to continue working, even after the 120-day validity period

Proof of Acceptance into a Permanent Resident Program

A Landing Record (IMM 1000) or Certificate of Permanent Residence (IMM 5292 or IMM 5688) is another essential document to verify your permanent residence, which you receive when you are granted permanent residence status.

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The official proof of permanent residence is the PR card, which you need if you are a permanent resident and plan to travel outside Canada.

What is a Closed Work Permit?

Closed work permits work differently than open work permits. First, you are limited to one employer only, so you can’t do any other role with someone else without permission from the immigration department.

Benefits of a Closed Work Permit

If it suits you to work with only one employer, that's still ok. In all of this, there are benefits such as employment stability and factors in your favor, namely faster processing time and cheaper procedures. What is excellent, they can facilitate the transition to permanent status in the host country.

Potential Pathway to Permanent Residence

Given your work experience in Canada in a primary occupation, health or health services field, or you have recently graduated, you may be able to apply for permanent residence.

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We understand this can be a daunting task for you, but good for you, BorderPass tools help you speed up the process.

Open Work Permit Application Processing Time

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As for every documentation, there is a processing time. Specifically, open work permits range from 3 to 27 weeks, depending on your country of citizenship. That said, the duration of the application process for your open work permit varies depending on the application method. Usually, it should be processed within 134 days, but if you want to shorten the procedure, BorderPass will put your finger on it.

Key Takeaways

• An open work permit leads to opportunities to search for multiple jobs and the possibility of working for any employer.
• For eligibility for obtaining an open work permit, you must be aware of certain criteria
• If you think of a permanent residence, you must fulfill specific requirements
• To apply for an open work permit after PGWP, you must submit particular documentation
• Besides an open work permit, there is a closed work permit where you are limited to just one employer.

FAQs

How Long is a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) Valid?

Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) can be valid between 8 months and up to 3 years.

Regarding eligibility after PGWP, you can work until the authorities decide on your application for a work permit, even if it has expired after 120-day validity.

Can I Work While I Wait for My OWP?

Yes, you can work while you wait for your OWP.

How Many Times Can I Apply for a PGWP?

You can apply for PGWP only once.