My PGWP is being processed, but my interim work authorization has expired—am I still able to work?

If you are an international student who has applied for your Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) but have not yet received a decision, you may be worried about the expiry date of your interim work authorization.

With increasing PGWP processing times, many graduates may already be approaching the end of their work authorization validity, without having received a decision on their PGWP applications.

The good news for these individuals is that they may continue working full-time in Canada, even after their interim work authorization validity date passes.

This article will cover what individuals with expiring or expired work authorization letters can do to assure employers in Canada that they are eligible to continue working.

Schedule a Free PGWP Consultation with the Cohen Immigration Law Firm

Understand your situation

Interim work authorization letters (IMM 0127 E) are delivered to international graduates who are eligible to work in Canada after submitting their PGWP application.

These letters typically have a validity period of 180 days. However, current processing time for work permits inside Canada is 227 days, meaning some graduates may see their validity period expire before they get their PGWPs.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) makes it clear on their website that international graduates who have applied for their PGWP, and meet all the other necessary criteria, may continue to work full-time while awaiting a decision, “even if the 180-day validity period of the letter expires”.

International graduates who have work status through an interim authorization letter should therefore understand that they are in full compliance with Canadian law and immigration regulations by pursuing full-time employment even while awaiting a decision on their PGWP application.

Note: If you did not receive an interim work authorization letter, you may not be authorized to work while you await a decision on your PGWP.

Applicants can only work full-time while awaiting a decision if they meet the following criteria:

• Held a valid study permit when their PGWP application was submitted;
• Completed their study program; and
• Were eligible to work off campus during their studies—without a separate work permit—and did not work more hours than permitted.

If your PGWP application is rejected or refused, you must stop working as soon as you are notified by IRCC.

If your employer requires further proof of work authorization

If your employer requires further proof that you are authorized to work in Canada, you can take the following steps to ensure that they are satisfied that your employment is legal and valid.

Request proof of authorization through IRCC’s web form

IRCC’s website states that applicants who require further proof of work authorization may request it through the department’s web form.

The IRCC web form is an online inquiry tool used to contact the immigration department directly. It allows applicants to submit questions about their file, upload additional documents when requested, or ask for written confirmation of their status or work authorization.

To access the web form, visit the official IRCC website and search for “IRCC web form”, or navigate to the “Contact Us” page on IRCC’s website, and then to the “Web form” section.

From there, applicants can select the type of request they wish to make, enter their application details, and submit their inquiry securely online.

Show your employer relevant documents in support of your work authorization

If you cannot obtain a webform confirmation or need to show proof of work authorization immediately, you can show your employer the following documents, in addition to your interim work authorization letter:

• Proof that you finished your program(s) of study, such as:
  • An official letter from your school confirming completion of your program, or
  • An official transcript or a copy of the transcript downloaded from your school’s website
• A copy of your study permit
  • To begin working immediately, the permit must include the following sentence: “May accept employment on or off campus if meeting eligibility criteria per paragraph R186(f), (v) or (w); must cease working if no longer meeting these criteria.”
• A copy of the acknowledgement of receipt (AOR) for your PGWP application, if you applied online.
  • To work right away, this acknowledgement of receipt must have been issued before your study permit expires.

Schedule a Free PGWP Consultation with the Cohen Immigration Law Firm