Although post-graduation work permit holders can switch to different programs to elongate their stay in Canada if their validity of PGWP has expired. The following are the available options that can be considered while extending the stay when PGWP expires.
Provincial Nominee Program
The Government of Canada has designed an immigration pathway that targets skilled workers as well as international students to reside in different Canadian provinces.
Canadian provinces have a separate capacity for receiving nominations through the Express Entry, which is considered an ‘Enhanced PNP’. It too adds 600 CRS scores to the final score of the applicant’s Express Entry profile.
The Canadian Government opened this category for receiving applications during the pandemic, as it is one of its most prominent immigration mediums of getting immigrants accommodated in the country.
This can be considered a great option for post-graduation work permit holders whose work permit’s validity is soon going to get expired.
Atlantic Immigration Program
Another program that targets international graduates who have graduated from any of the Atlantic post-secondary institutes in Canada. This program can offer Canadian Permanent Residency to post-graduation work permit holders when the tenure of their work permit has expired.
The eligibility criteria of this program look for candidates who have finished an educational program of a minimum of 2 years of duration. In addition to this, the candidates need to have a valid job offer from an employer based in the same province.
This program has proven to be beneficial for post-graduation work permit holders with no or less work experience, as it does not require a minimum requirement of work experience. Also, students applying for this category can submit their applications even before they engage in any jobs.
Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot
International students enrolled in a postgraduate study program from any government-based institute in any of the listed rural communities in Canada can apply for this program.
The eligibility of this program demands candidates who have completed their post-graduation program whose length is of 2 years and have devoted some decent amount of time to their regarded communities.
Also, the eligibility criteria for different communities vary, and the applicant has to follow all the requirements in order to become eligible.
Work Permit
The Canadian Government offers another immigration program, under which an applicant has to either take an LMIA or need not take an LMIA.
The whole procedure of the LMIA is lengthy and high on budget, but programs like International Mobility Program neither demand a long time nor a high budget.
The only prominent requirement for applying for an LMIA-exempt work permit is to possess a field that is attached with a higher level of benefits to the Canadian economy.
If the candidate matches all the eligibility criteria of a Canadian permanent residency, then he/she may choose the option of ‘bridging open work permit’. This work permit is specially designed for immigrants who are working on the application for their Canadian Permanent Residency.
Post-Secondary Program
If the applicant enrolls themselves in a new post-secondary program, he/she is allowed to work for a maximum time of 20 hours a week. This option should be considered by applicants who have qualified for Express Entry but haven’t obtained an ITA.
Conclusion
International students are availed with a great option of a post-graduation work permit, but the only con attached to it is the nonrenewable and non-extendable factor. But all the above programs can surely help in substituting.
