INTERNATIONAL, SAGE: PGWP AND TRANSITION TO WORKER STATUS IN CANADA

International, SaGE:
PGWP and transition to Worker status
            in Canada

DISCLAIMERS
Centennial College campuses are open in a limited capacity to accommodate lab instruction. Only those invited on
campus will be permitted to enter. Please check Centennial College’s COVID-19 INFORMATION
CENTRE regularly for important up-to-date information.

Pursuant to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Individual Privacy Act, I hereby, by way of registering for
this session, release the personal information, and any photos/videos/testimonials contained hereinto be used by
Centennial College for promotional purposes.

Centennial College is proud to be a part of a rich history of education in this province and in this city. We
acknowledge that we are on the treaty lands and territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and pay
tribute to their legacy and the legacy of all First Peoples of Canada, as we strengthen ties with the communities we
serve and build the future through learning and through our graduates. Today the traditional meeting place of
Toronto is still home to many Indigenous People from across Turtle Island and we are grateful to have the
opportunity to work in the communities that have grown in the treaty lands of the Mississaugas. We acknowledge
that we are all treaty people and accept our responsibility to honour all our relations.

INTERNATIONAL:

• Introducing the ISA team:

Keiko Hoehn               Manager, RCIC

Achuth Kesavan            ISA, RCIC – SAC and Ashtonbee
Joyce He                  ISA, RISIA - Progress
Maggie Smith              ISA - Morningside
Olga Gagarina             ISA, RCIC – Progress and Downsview
Jennifer Cabell           ISA, RCIC – currently on leave

RCIC – Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant
RISIA – Regulated International Student Immigration Advisor

INTERNATIONAL:

• International Students Advisors - guidance in the following areas:

        •   Clarification on eligibility for future immigration status in Canada
        •   Maintaining status and documents, including those for family
            members
        •   Changes in study progression and impact on future eligibility
        •   Working as students and graduates
        •   Applications for study / work permits, restoration of status and
            travel / immigration documents
        •   And more

Graduation Process
Key Steps for International Graduates:

   • Apply for Graduate (MyCentennial): keep in mind the deadline, Mar 22 2021

   • Run Degree Evaluation Report (MyCentennial): to make sure no outstanding
     items or surprises

   • Attend PGWP info sessions

   • When completed the final semester – wait for Graduation Audit completion

   • Expect Confirmation of Graduation – the letter (PDF) will be emailed to
     international graduates

2. Degree Audit

• Your report to confirm if you are meeting all the requirements to
  graduate from your current program and current semester

• Students can run it from MyCentennial

• If your report shows “NO” in any of the fields, you are missing something
  and will not graduate unless the pending issues are resolved (ex: transfer
  credit?)
• It is student’s responsibility to run the Degree Evaluation (Audit) and
  contact your Success Advisor to make sure your graduation is not delayed!

3. Get Familiar with PGWP process

• Attend information sessions presented by International Student Advisors
• Register in Advance:
   https://www.centennialcollege.ca/studenthub/our-latest/sage-events-
   announcements/

• Upcoming Sessions “Graduation and PGWP applications”:
     Apr 9, 2021 10:30 AM (EST)
     April 20, 2021 10:00 AM (EST)
     Apr 23, 2021 02:00 PM (EST)
• Upcoming Session “PGWP with Dependent Family and NOC”:
     Apr 14, 2021 10:30 AM (EST)

4. Confirmation of Graduation
• Graduation Letter - all international students who applied to graduate and
were eligible will be receiving this Grad Letter

- Expect it emailed to MyCentennial inbox
- When? First half of May 2021
   Example: Grad Letter for Dec 2020 graduates, was sent on/after January 11, 2020.

• Finished 2 programs? You will need Grad Letters from both programs

• What about my Diploma / Certificate?
   - Will mailed to your permanent address indicated in myCentennial
   - Not required for PGWP application

5. Final Transcript

• Final transcript has to state “Degree Awarded Date”

• Normally, international graduates should use Official final transcript but due
  to Covid19, IRCC allows 2 options:

   a) Can download Unofficial transcript from MyCentennial / Student
   Records

   b) Can request Official transcript ($12 charge, will take longer time: up to
   a few weeks)

Working before and after graduation

• Part-time (20 hr/ wk) until the written Confirmation of Graduation is received.

• Full-time (>20 hr / wk) once PGWP application is submitted (should have
  Confirmation of Submission from IRCC)

• Can’t work between two dates! As you are not a student any more, but not
  a worker yet

Post Graduate Work Permit (PGWP)

• Open Work Permit that allows international graduates to remain in Canada as a
  temporary worker

• Eligibility for all students who studied according to their program model route

• Family members can extend their status as well, but there are nuances

• Length of PGWP depends on program duration: from 1 to 3 years

• Key step towards Permanent Residency application through CEC (Canadian
  Experience Class)

Post Graduate Work Permit

• PGWP is a open work permit – privilege for international gradates - job offer is
  not required for the application

• PWGP holders can work anywhere in Canada and for any / multiple legal
  employer(s): Full-time, Part-time, Self-employed

• Once-in-a-lifetime work permit, non-extendable (except for early passport
  expiry*)

• Eligibility and length depends on fulfilling all the requirements of status as a
  international student in Canada

PGWP: eligibility
• You have graduated from a DLI institution in a diploma/degree
  program 8-months or longer;

• Maintained full-time student status in Canada during each
  semester of the program(s) you have graduated from.
• Exceptions can be made only for the following:
      - leave from studies (medical, family emergency, proven special
        circumstance)
      - final academic session (final semester can be part-time).

A PGWP is not guaranteed: processing officer determines if the
leave from studies is warranted, based off documentation provided

PGWP eligibility and Covid19
• If your in-class courses were moved to an online-only format because of COVID-19,
  your eligibility for PGWP won’t be affected.

• If you applied for Study Permit before starting your program* and it is eventually
  approved*

• Any time spent studying online since March 2020 until Dec 31 2021 now counts toward
  the length of a PGWP.

• Studies online from home country: time will not be deducted from the length of PGWP
  for studies students complete outside Canada until Dec 31, 2021

• 50% studies in Canada requirement is removed, even Coop placement can be done
  from overseas

PGWP application: timeline

If applying in Canada: within 90 days from program completion and while Study
   Permit is valid

      • In Canada application: online through IRCC account
      • Check your Study Permit & passport expiry date
      • Early SP expiry: you will have less than 90 days to apply

If applying from overseas: within 180 days from program completion

      • The start of 180 day period begins from day the final marks are posted
      • Overseas application - will be processed by IRCC Visa Office in your home country
      • Will received passport request once approved

PGWP application: documents

• Form IMM5710 – Application to “Stay in Canada as Temporary Worker”
• Confirmation of Graduation Letter (Grad Letter)
• Final Transcript – temporarily can upload Unofficial Transcript
• Passport: all stamps in passport + copy of Study Permit
• Digital Photo
• Medical: if required (health care/ education / social sector)
• Processing fees (per person) : $255 Processing fee + Biometrics*

• Optional Document: Applicant’s explanation Letter with supporting evidence

PGWP application: process

1) Open (sign up) GCKey Account – will be used for all online immigration
   applications
2) Proceed to “Start an Application” –> ”Apply to come to Canada”
3) Go to section “I don’t have reference code” –> Answer Eligibility Questions
4) Online Checklist: continue to upload you documents
5) Sign (electronically), pay and transmit

         Refer to our Step-By-Step Guides posted on Centennial website:
             centennialcollege.ca/studenthub/international/international-
                      students/immigration/step-by-step-guides/

Stay informed

Due to the changing nature of the COVID-19 Pandemic, please visit IRCC
website for the most up to date information.

   https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-
   citizenship/services/coronavirus-covid19/students.html

The official site is frequently updated, check the information regularly.

The frequent policy changes travel restrictions in place can also be found on the
Government of Canada website.

*It is your responsibility to keep yourself aware, but we are here to support you.

Connect with SaGE
• Email to sage@centennialcollege.ca

• Book a 20 minute one-on-one Microsoft Teams appointment:
 http://centenni.al/isa-booking

• Slots open up 7 days in advance so check for availability regularly

• List of ISAs and their Microsoft Teams username:
Maggie Smith (MSMITH)
Joyce He (JHE)
Olga Gagarina (OGAGARINA)
Achuth Kesavan (AKESAVAN)

What ISAs Can & Cannot Do
▪ Only Immigration Refugee Citizenship Canada (IRCC) have the power to
  extend / change your immigration status documents
▪ IRCC officers have the final say on applications and ISA’s can only assist
  but do not have the power to override IRCC decisions

▪ Every situation is different and unique: be careful with your friends advice,
  they are not the Government of Canada or any official source

▪ Success Advisors (SA), Admissions, Enrollment Services, Records
  cannot consult on immigration – only ISAs are authorized to assist you
▪ ISA, however, cannot help with registration for courses, course /program
  transfers and study progression, admission to other programs, career advice

Upcoming PGWP sessions
• Attend information sessions presented by International Student Advisors
• Register in Advance:
https://www.centennialcollege.ca/studenthub/our-latest/sage-events-
announcements/

- Upcoming Sessions “Graduation and PGWP applications”:
      Apr 9, 2021 10:30 AM (EST)
      April 20, 2021 10:00 AM (EST)
      Apr 23, 2021 02:00 PM (EST)
- Upcoming Session “PGWP with Dependent Family and NOC”:
      Apr 14, 2021 10:30 AM (EST)

Bi-weekly SaGe
Newsletter arrives in
your My.Centennial
email

Immigration related
webinars are
announced in this
newsletter.

Questions?
                 Case specific questions:
Book and appointment with an ISA http://centenni.al/isa-booking,
            or email sage@centennialcollege.ca

THANK YOU FOR JOINING TODAY’S SESSION!

We wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors and hope you stay in touch with the Centennial community:

                       www.CentennialCollege.ca/Alumni