CASE SCENARIO

1: Study Permit expires after receiving proof of completion of studies.

Mohammed’s last registered term was Fall 2021. The expiry date on his study permit is August 31, 2022. His degree was granted on February 21, 2022.
When is his deadline to apply for the PGWP? 

His deadline to apply for his PGWP is August 21, 2022. This is because 180 days from February 21, 2022, when his degree was granted, is August 21, 2022. 

Watch out! 

Mohammed’s study permit becomes invalid 90 days from proof of completion of his studies.

See section on When does my Study Permit become invalid  below and timeline below:

The earliest Mohammed can apply for his PGWP is on February 21, 2022, once his degree has been granted. The latest he can apply is August 21, 2022, which is 180 days from when his degree was granted.

2: Study Permit expires before receiving proof of completion of studies

Ana’s last registered term was Summer 2021. Her study permit expired on August 31, 2021. Her degree was granted on October 24, 2021.

When is her deadline to apply for the PGWP? 

Her deadline to apply for her PGWP is February 27, 2022. This is because she must have held a valid study permit 180 days from the date she applies for the PGWP.

180 days from August 31, 2021, which is when her study permit expired, is February 27, 2022. 

Watch out! 

Ana does not have until April 21, 2022, to apply for her PGWP.
See timeline below:

The earliest Ana can apply for her PGWP is on October 24, 2021, once her degree has been granted.

The latest she can apply is February 27, 2022, which is 180 days from the expiry of her study permit.

You can apply for your PGWP either from within Canada or from outside of Canada. Depending on where you apply from and what you choose to do during those 180 days, there are important consequences to be aware of.

Important: When does my Study Permit become invalid?

Your study permit becomes invalid 90 days after completion of studies or the day on which it expires, whichever comes first, as per section 222 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations.

If you do not apply for your PGWP while your study permit is still valid, you must do one of the following before your study permit becomes invalid:

1. Apply to change your status to a visitor or

2. Leave Canada.