Hi everyone,
It's my first post, but I was reading this forum for a long time. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences, it helps a lot.
So, because today, finally I have PGWP in my hands I want to share my experience.
I applied for PGWP online August 24th (the day I got my transcript from school), so it's been just a little bit more than few months (which is not that bad comparing with so many people in here), I received few blank updates.
Then I found a job that I really really like, in the field that I was studying, I started feel really stressed because of the idea of maybe losing this job and not being able to plan my trip home.
So, I decided to flagpole. I did it today, and besides that it was pouring today everywhere around and in Vancouver, everything went really well.
I went to Peace Arch Crossing, BC. I don't have a car, so had to use public transport. I took a skytrain to Bridgeport, from there catched the 351 bus going to White Rock and then took a cab($15, here is cab number I was using: 604-533-3333, Pacific Cabs) to the border.
Cab took me right next to the Canadian custom building, I wasn't sure where pedestrian path was, so wen't straight to one of officer, who was standing outside and asked where to go.
Then I took 10min walk to the American custom building, there was quite a lot of people in there, but because I was pedestrian I had a separate lineup, which was way shorter. I gave my passport to the officer and told him that I'm flagpoling. He just asked if I'm by myself and then made a little joke about my super long surname. With the white paper that he gave me I walked back to the Canadian side.
At the Canadian border officer gave me a yellow paper, which showed which line should I join in the building.
The Canadian building was almost empty, so I didn't have to wait at all. I was called by the officer right away, I told her that I want to apply for PGWP, gave her my passport, study permit (which expires Nov 30) and my transcript from school. The officer was very lovely lady, only thing that she asked me was if I'm aware of the fee and that my work permit is going to be the same length as my studies was (my studies was 11months long and I got one year work permit). I waited for 5-10mins then she called me to pay the fees and then I waited another 5 mins. And.that.was.it. I couldn't believe how fast and easy the whole thing was (which I'm sure always depends on the officer you have to deal with).
Also, note that I was still in my 90 day window after graduating.
I just sent an online application withdraw request on CIC.
All the best to everyone who is still waiting!!!
