Good news for grads from other countries in Canada! Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has made interim work authorization letters good for longer. You can now work for up to 180 days (up from 120 days) while you wait for a decision on your work permit application.
What are Interim Work Authorization Letters?
International graduates who are qualified and have applied for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) are sent interim work authorization letters by IRCC. With these letters, you can start working full-time in Canada before you find out the final outcome of your PGWP application.
Eligibility for Interim Work Authorization
If you want to get an interim work permission letter, you need to meet these requirements:
Had a legal study permit when they applied for the work permit.
You have finished your course of study at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI).
finished a program after high school that lasted at least eight months.
Got a diploma, degree, or certificate when the school was over.
Followed the rules about how many hours you could work off campus while you were in school. Note: On April 30, 2024, a special rule that let full-time students work more than 20 hours a week ended.
Advantages of Longer Validity
With an extra 180 days, the validity period gives foreign graduates more freedom and less stress during the work permit application process. In this case, you can:
Easily find work chances faster.
Do work that will help you in your area.
Take care of your finances while you wait for a PGWP decision.
Keeping the right to work after 180 days
If 180 days go by and your PGWP application still hasn’t been decided on, you can use IRCC’s web form to ask for continued permission to work.
Important Words
It’s not possible to travel with an interim job authorization letter. Some people with the letter may be able to come back to Canada after leaving, but most of the time they need a legal temporary resident visa.
Want to Know More About It?
Visit the IRCC website at IRCC Website LInk for more information and the most recent news.
