PGWP: Canada Extends Eligibility Period for Online Study

In a normal setting, online study is not eligible for the Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP), but since the pandemic happened, it has been changed; now International students can do their studies online from outside Canada completely and still be able to get a PGWP once they have completed the program.

It was announced that the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has extended the period where international students can study online, from December 31, 2021, it was moved to August 31, 2022. In 2020, as part of the OVID-19 related measures to allow international students that were affected by the pandemic to still be eligible for the PGWP, the said measure was implemented. As mentioned on the website of the Canadian government, even if a student is completing a two-study program, the rule still applies, given that the programs were going to start between March 2020 and the summer of 2022.

Keep in mind that the study programs must be with an eligible Designated Learning Institution (DLI) and must meet other requirements of the PGWP. Also, the time spent studying outside of Canada after August 31, 2022, as well as any time spent studying before applying for a study permit will not be counted towards the length of a PGWP. If your study program runs in less than two years but more than eight months, then the validity matches the length of the study program. However, if the program is more than two years, the PGWP may be up to three years in duration. Know that the length of your study period is important for the PGWP eligibility as well as in determining how long your PGWP will be valid.