What are the most common mistakes in applying for the PGWP?

This is the Featured Question in our February 21, 2023 issue of the Canadian Immigration Newsletter. Subscribe to the Newsletter to stay up to date with the lawyer-curated news and insights about immigration to Canada.

So, what are the most common mistakes in applying for the PGWP?

Alicia Backman-Beharry: Make sure that you are honest when you apply for your PGWP and that you disclose any periods of unauthorized work or study. Failing to properly disclose unauthorized work or study could result in you being refused your PGWP or being found inadmissible for misrepresentation and barred from Canada for 5 years. Make sure to discuss the details of your program of study and your periods of work with us before you submit your PGWP application.

Chanelle Rosenbaum: The most common mistake I see (far too often) in PGWP applications is not properly addressing interruptions to studies or anything else that could be interpreted as a failure to meet the study permit conditions throughout the study period. Anything from a leave of absence or a part-time semester, through to transferring schools or programs, failing a subject, or taking longer than expected to complete your program, should all be explained thoroughly in your PGWP application. I have often seen applicants fail to provide additional information to explain these circumstances, instead relying on the limited information provided in the letter of completion and transcript, resulting in a declined PGWP. As you are only eligible to apply for a PGWP up to 180 days following the completion of your course, by the time you receive a decision declining your application, it could be too late to apply again. Therefore, it’s important to get it right the first time!

Cedric Marin: The IMM5710 has a section on intended work inside Canada. The instructions say to leave questions 2 to 8 blank when you select PGWP. The second most common mistake is the 10 years of employment. Make sure to list additional employment in a separate sheet of paper if applicable. The third most common mistake is the transcript. Make sure that you have a colour transcript with the mention of the degree completion.

Did you miss the temporary public policy changes made to the PGWP program, which were announced in December? If so, re-watch Cedric’s live Q&A where he discusses these changes, and review the temporary public policy to see how it affects you.

So why are we focusing so much on PGWPs? Gaining work experience while on a PGWP is essential to most Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates applying for Express Entry. If you don’t have enough points to be in with a chance of receiving an Invitation to Apply anytime soon, gaining the relevant experience to qualify under CEC might be your only option for immigrating to Canada. And the only way to do this is by pursuing a qualifying higher education course in Canada – which is both expensive and time-consuming – before you become eligible to apply for an open work permit under the PGWP program.

Additionally, the PGWP has a tight application deadline and is a one-time opportunity, so you must make sure you get it right and don’t miss out on your chance to gain valuable work experience in Canada. Unfortunately for applicants whose PGWP applications are refused, or who miss the deadline, there is often no other opportunity for them to gain work experience in Canada to qualify for CEC under Express Entry. This can often cost them their one chance of immigrating to Canada. Although the PGWP application seems straightforward, it is actually one of the most important IRCC applications you will ever make, so it is best to apply extra caution to your application, to be on the safe side. If you have any concerns or questions about your PGWP application, book a consultation to discuss your unique situation and discuss how we can help you.

If the PGWP is still a while away for you, and you are instead still considering your options to come to Canada as a student, then we have plenty of resources to help you prepare for this and submit a strong study permit application. Check out Chanelle’s blog posts on how to increase your chances of studying in Canada and what you need to do to prepare for the 2023 intakes.