Best Options to Stay in Canada After Your PGWP Expires

Canada’s diverse heritage and internationally recognized educational institutions have made it a popular choice for international students for a long time. Upon graduation, many foreign students want to stay in Canada and work, usually with the help of a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). International graduates are permitted to work anywhere in Canada for three years with the Post Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). But the PGWP is only meant to be temporary, so as it gets close to expiring, it’s important to look at other options for staying longer. PGWP holders may be able to stay in Canada indefinitely, though, depending on a few different choices. Seeking the advice and assistance of immigration lawyers in Mississauga can be very beneficial. 

Best 6 Options to Stay in Canada after PGWP expires?

Let’s have a look through this guide to understand other ways to stay back in Canada after PGWP expires.

1. Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)

Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) are managed by most Canadian provinces and territories, except Nunavut and Quebec. There are two primary groups of PNPs. Enhanced PNPs invite candidates to apply for a provincial nomination by actively searching the Express Entry pool. Obtaining one of these nominations automatically adds 600 points to an applicant’s total score for Express Entry. This significant rise puts them at the front of the Express Entry applicant pool, placing them in a favorable position to be invited to apply (ITA) in a later lottery.

These programs enable you to apply directly for a provincial nomination to the relevant province, which will subsequently support your application to the federal government for permanent residency. People with job experience outside of the ‘skilled’ occupation group may be eligible for some of these base PNPs. PNPs usually don’t need a work offer or previous experience in the province. Deciding which province you want to call home and assessing your eligibility are the two main steps in choosing a PNP.

2. Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)

The Atlantic Immigration Program helps qualifying recent graduates from Atlantic region postsecondary institutions get permanent residency status. PGWP holders may be able to remain in Canada after their permission expires through this program. Applicants need to have finished a two-year program to be taken into consideration. Those employed in the provinces of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, or Newfoundland and Labrador are eligible. Three streams make up the program: one is for skilled workers, the other is for intermediate skilled workers, which includes jobs beneath skill level “C,” and the third is for graduates from the Atlantic area.  

An offer of employment may indicate a skill type of A, B, C, or 0. One advantage of this program is that qualifying overseas graduates are exempt from the minimum work experience requirements. This enables PGWP beneficiaries to apply before starting work. For PGWP permit holders who do not have enough work experience, this could be a benefit so they can apply to other programs before their permit expires.

3. Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP)

A community-driven program in Canada targeted at smaller areas is called the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) 2023. It provides skilled international workers with a route to permanent residency. You may qualify for the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) if you are a graduate of a publicly funded university located in one of eleven rural Canadian communities. Candidates for the pilot program must be master’s degree holders, have completed a two-year post-secondary education program, and have lived in the community for a minimum of time. There are eligibility standards for each rural community’s program that applicants must meet.

A job offer in a designated community, work experience, language fluency, educational requirements, financial stability, and a sincere desire to reside in and contribute to the community are just a few of the requirements that applicants must fulfill to be eligible. A recommendation from a participating community is required for the program, and applicants must go through a difficult selection procedure that takes into account several aspects such as employment relevance and community links. North Bay, Sudbury, and Thunder Bay are a few of the chosen communities.

4. Work Permit

Employers in Canada must go through a drawn-out and costly Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) procedure to obtain a work permit. There are, nevertheless, other ways to obtain a work permit without requiring an LMIA. The International Mobility Program (IMP) eliminates the requirement for an LMIA for Canadian firms hiring temporary foreign employees. The offered position must benefit Canada more broadly in terms of economy, culture, or competitiveness and benefit Canadians and permanent residents in return for being eligible for an LMIA-exempt work visa.

If you are eligible to apply for citizenship before your PGWP expires, you might be able to apply for a bridging open work permit. You can continue working with this authorization while your application for permanent residence is being handled.

5. Enroll In a New Post-Secondary Program

You are not permitted to work in Canada if your work permit has expired or if your status has not been upheld. Maintaining legal status is essential for entering the nation. As a result, maintaining a sustained status or work visa is necessary for continued employment and residence in Canada. You may be able to stay in Canada and work up to 20 hours per week if you enroll in a new post-secondary program.

This could be a means for you to remain in Canada while you wait for an Invitation to Apply (ITA) if you meet the requirements for Express Entry. It is crucial to remember that you are not permitted to work in Canada if your work permit has expired or if you have maintained your status. To stay in Canada, you need to have a valid visa.

6. Quebec’s Immigration Process

To immigrate to Quebec, one must first get a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ). Quebec has its unique immigration system. Your application for immigration to the United States government is supported by the CSQ. Permanent residency status can only be granted by the federal government, even though Quebec has sovereignty in immigration matters. The Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) is an attractive alternative for fluent French speakers who have studied and worked in Quebec, particularly those with Quebec Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWPs).

Both temporary foreign workers and international students are eligible for this program. International students must achieve certain educational requirements, that they can communicate well in French, and that they intend to settle in Quebec. Conversely, temporary foreign workers need to demonstrate their French language competency, have at least two years of full-time work experience in a skilled field, and be employed at the time of application. Alternatively, another option for immigration to the province is the Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP), which is available to individuals who have both skilled job experience and French ability.

Conclusion

An excellent chance for overseas students to obtain work experience in Canada after they graduate is the Post-Graduation Work Permit. It offers freedom, facilitates networking and exploration, and may help with future job opportunities and choices for permanent residency. To make the most of your employment experience in Canada, be sure to utilize this permission and manage your time well. Make a plan, study the job market, and build a network to improve your chances of landing a fulfilling career. Keep in mind that the Post-Graduation Work Permit is a one-time chance, so make use of it to improve your professional prospects and chances of obtaining permanent residence in Canada.

When you explore ways to remain in Canada after your Post-Graduate Work Permit expires, keep in mind that there are several choices available, including bridging work permits, alternative visas, and additional schooling. Make an educated decision about your future in this multicultural nation by staying informed, speaking with experts, such as immigration lawyers in Halifax, and making use of available resources. Even though your adventure started with a work permit, there are plenty of chances to keep adding to Canada’s colorful scenery.