Can I travel outside Canada after last sem and apply for PGWP from outside?

[nevillek]

Hi guys,

I will be finishing my last Masters semester in April and intend to apply for the 3 yr PGWP after that, however I might have to go back urgently to my home country as soon as my final exams end, for a few weeks. I would be returning by June/July and also, my study permit is valid till August end, but I'm not sure I will be allowed back by Canadian immigration when I try returning because they would see my permit is valid only till August so why am I returning back? Because there is no reason to state why I am back since I have completed my study although, I have valid study permit and TRV.

Also, can I apply and get my PGWP online while in my home country? Since it's done online, don't think they would know I'm not in Canada anyway.

Thanks for your responses in advance!

 

[jes_ON]

You have posted in the Canadian Experience Class forum, we discuss PR applications. Some people here might be able to answer your questions, but you might have better luck if you post in the International Students forum, or the temporary foreign workers forum.

 

[dastanmo]

I was in a similar situation right after I had graduated as well but the only difference was I had applied for my PGWP *before* I went out of Canada. So when I was returning to Canada, my study permit was valid until August but I didn't have my PGWP with me at the port of entry. I can't exactly remember if they had asked me about it but I do remember mentioning that I was coming back to attend my convocation - which was true.

I am not sure at all if this works with all Immigration officers but I am just sharing my experience. Hope it helps!

 

[VS1987]

Hi guys,

I will be finishing my last Masters semester in April and intend to apply for the 3 yr PGWP after that, however I might have to go back urgently to my home country as soon as my final exams end, for a few weeks. I would be returning by June/July and also, my study permit is valid till August end, but I'm not sure I will be allowed back by Canadian immigration when I try returning because they would see my permit is valid only till August so why am I returning back? Because there is no reason to state why I am back since I have completed my study although, I have valid study permit and TRV.

Also, can I apply and get my PGWP online while in my home country? Since it's done online, don't think they would know I'm not in Canada anyway.

Thanks for your responses in advance!

As far as I know you have to apply when you are inside Canada. after applying you can go for holidays..

 

[nevillek]

I was in a similar situation right after I had graduated as well but the only difference was I had applied for my PGWP *before* I went out of Canada. So when I was returning to Canada, my study permit was valid until August but I didn't have my PGWP with me at the port of entry. I can't exactly remember if they had asked me about it but I do remember mentioning that I was coming back to attend my convocation - which was true.

I am not sure at all if this works with all Immigration officers but I am just sharing my experience. Hope it helps!

Yeah, I can do a similar thing, but did you tell them you had applied for a PGWP too at POE?

 

[dastanmo]

Yeah, I can do a similar thing, but did you tell them you had applied for a PGWP too at POE?

No, I didn't have to. They never asked me anything about PGWP.

Also, please note that you need to submit your final transcript/a letter from your university which states that you have completed all the graduation requirements and that you are graduating this year and this usually happens after all your marks are out. In my case, I had booked my flight a few weeks after my exams were done just to make sure all my marks were out and I had enough time to get the letter and transcript from my university so that I could apply for my PGWP.

 

[nevillek]

No, I didn't have to. They never asked me anything about PGWP.

Also, please note that you need to submit your final transcript/a letter from your university which states that you have completed all the graduation requirements and that you are graduating this year and this usually happens after all your marks are out. In my case, I had booked my flight a few weeks after my exams were done just to make sure all my marks were out and I had enough time to get the letter and transcript from my university so that I could apply for my PGWP.

But what happens if they try to contact you or mail you the work permit to your address if you are not in Canada that time?

 

[dastanmo]

But what happens if they try to contact you or mail you the work permit to your address if you are not in Canada that time?

They never tried contacting me by phone but they did mail me the work permit. I was just out of Canada on a vacation so I still had my apartment that I was living in. So I just got my work permit mailed to my address.

 

[nevillek]

They never tried contacting me by phone but they did mail me the work permit. I was just out of Canada on a vacation so I still had my apartment that I was living in. So I just got my work permit mailed to my address.

Oh okay, so it will be in my mailbox when I arrive.