Canada ready to accept incomplete study permit & PGWP applications

International students who do their courses in Canada usually opt for a Post-graduation Work Permit or PGWP to build up sufficient work experience to apply for a PR status or go back to their home countries with a lesser debt to pay off in terms of study loans they might have opted for.

Students who do a bachelor’s degree course receive a PGWP that is valid for three years while those doing shorter courses like a master’s degree or other short study programs are eligible for a two-year work permit.

However, the current Coronavirus pandemic has placed doubt on whether these students will be eligible for a PGWP owing to the travel restrictions that will shorten the period of full-time study in the course. Some students are unable to submit all the required documents for their PGWP application or even their study permit.

Measures by IRCC

To help such international students the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has decided to keep their applications open till the formalities are completed.

Due to the restrictions imposed due to the pandemic, application centers have closed or have limited their working hours. This has led to many incomplete student applications in three crucial aspects-

1. Submission of biometrics
2. Completion of medical examinations
3. Submission of original travel documents

The IRCC has decided not to reject incomplete study permit applications but rather keep the application open and request for supporting documents until it receives them or gets a confirmation that action has been taken for their processing.

Concessions for PGWP applicants

The IRCC has given concessions to PGWP applicants as well in particular those unable to obtain a completion letter or a final transcript from their Designated Learning Institute (DLI).

Foreign students applying for the PGWP before the expiry of their study permit but unable to submit a complete application due to the closing of the DLI, will be allowed to continue working full time before a decision is made.

They will also send need to send a clarification letter stating that they are unable to submit the documents due to the closing of their school.

Many of Canada’s post-secondary institutes had to close or cancel classes due to the health precautions and social distancing norms required for controlling the pandemic. This has forced many students to put their course on hold or opt for part-time study.

This change in the student’s status will not affect their eligibility to apply for the PGWP.

The IRCC is trying its best to protect the interests of its international students.