Distance Learning: Part of Canada’s “Special Cases” under the PGWP Category

Posted 08/27/2021

What is Canada’s Post Graduate Work Permit (PGWP)? Through this stream, students who graduate from Canada’s eligible designated learning institutions (DLI) could acquire an open work permit in Canada to gain work experience from Canadian employers. Candidates could qualify for Canadian permanent residence through Canadian experience class under Express Entry if they obtain skilled Canadian work experience in NOC skill type 0 or skill level A or B that is gained through PGWP.

Who can apply for a PGWP? There are two eligibility criteria for this category — Inside Canada graduates and Outside Canada graduates. However, there are special cases wherein the Canadian immigration may allow a candidate to be eligible for a PGWP. One of these special cases is Distance Learning. Below are the qualifications for PGWP’s eligibility under Distance Learning:

Inside Canada Distance Learning

If a candidate’s study takes only less than 50% of their study program, then they are qualified to apply for this program. Including in-class and distance courses, the length of the candidate’s PGWP should match the length of the candidate’s program. However, and distance courses taken or completed by the candidate outside of Canada will not be included in the length of the candidate’s PGWP.

Also, if the candidate’s distance learning takes more than 50% of their study program, they are no longer eligible to apply for PGWP.

Outside Canada Graduates

Through this, a candidate may complete their 100% of studies online even from outside Canada. Time spent studying online outside Canada between the spring of 2020 and December 31, 2021, will be counted towards a PGWP’s length, even if the candidate is completing two study programs.

If a candidate is pursuing 2 study programs, they can accomplish 100% of their studies online given that the program they are in starts between March 2020 and the fall of 2021. In connection to this, a candidate must make sure that each program that they are taking must meet all of PGWP’s eligibility requirements and must be at least 8 months long. Also, the candidate’s program must be both from an eligible DLI and should be completed in 2 years.