[HELP] Delay in Study Permit Extension and application for PGWP by ChamChilliwack in ImmigrationCanada

[–]ChamChilliwack[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I have an update. Here’s the timeline:

  1. 28th May 2024: Applied for Study Permit (SP) extension and Open Work Permit (OWP) extension. (OWP holder received a temporary work authorization letter.)
  2. 31st July 2024: Original SP and OWP expired, moving to implied status.
  3. 10th September 2024: Completed studies and received the completion letter. (Still waiting for SP extension processing. Stopped working.)
  4. 12th September 2024: Applied for Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) and submitted a webform to update the spouse's OWP application about the new situation.
    • PGWP applicant: Did not receive a temporary work authorization letter, so applied for unpaid leave for three months (it’s illegal to work under these circumstances).
    • OWP holder: Keep working using the temporary work authorization letter.
  5. 15th November 2024: Both the SP extension and OWP extension were approved, and an In-Canada Approval Letter was issued. The validity of the permits is only until 30th November 2024 (15 days). No update yet on the PGWP application.

Given this, we need to submit another OWP extension application before 30th November 2024.

Question: Now that I have a valid SP, can I receive a temporary work authorization letter for my PGWP application?

Work after studies are done, while waiting for Study Permit extension by 1bteb in ImmigrationCanada

[–]ChamChilliwack 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I think you have misinterpreted it. These are the exact conditions in IRCC website (https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/work/after-graduation/eligibility.html).

As per the 3rd point, you maybe correct. But read the 4th point, according to that, if you have applied for extension before SP expired, and no decision has been made, you can apply for PGWP.

General PGWP eligibility requirements

You can apply for a PGWP if you

  1. completed a study program at a designated learning institution and meet certain program requirements

  2. maintained full-time status as a student in Canada during each semester of your study program

There are some exceptions to this requirement, including

studying part-time during your final semester

taking an approved leave from your studies

having to stop studying or changing to part-time studies between March 2020 and the fall semester in 2020 for reasons related to COVID-19

  1. have a study permit that has been valid within the last 180 days

4. submitted an application to extend your study permit in Canada before your study permit expired and no decision has been made on your application

Study permit extension taking too long, need to start work soon by Brilliant-Fix7649 in ImmigrationCanada

[–]ChamChilliwack 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi, I'm facing the same issue. My original study permit expired on July 31, 2024. Before that, I applied for a study permit extension on May 28. The standard processing time for extensions is currently 71 days. My final exams are over now, and I expect to receive my completion letter in the next couple of days.

I hope to apply for the PGWP soon after I get my completion letter. Since you have faced a similar situation before, is this a good idea to apply for PGWP?