Study permit extension and work permit

[manepiliposyan]

Hello everyone!

I'm an international student planning to graduate in January. My student visa expires on December 31st, so I applied for an extension. However, it will take a few months for the extension to be approved, and by then, I will have already graduated.

I know I can apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) while waiting for my student visa extension to be processed, but I won’t be able to work during this waiting period. My question is: once I receive my work permit, will I be able to leave the country and re-enter with my work permit?

Thank you!

 

[Naturgrl]

Only if you have a valid TRV. Work permit lets you work, not enter.

 

[manepiliposyan]

Only if you have a valid TRV. Work permit lets you work, not enter.

Thank you very much for the reply!

 

[manepiliposyan]

Only if you have a valid TRV. Work permit lets you work, not enter.

I wanted to understand my situation better. I will graduate in January (thesis defense). My study visa expires Dec 31st and I have already applied for study permit extension in start of October. However looks like the extension is not going to be approved until I’m graduated, it usually takes up to 7 months according to posts on reddit and different platforms, I will probably recieve it around April. So will I be on a student maintenance status without being a student? Can I remain in the country?
Also when should I apply for PGWP? Right after I graduate or should I wait for my SP to be extended?

Is there something that I can apply for to be able to leave the country and come back with no issues?

 

[SpaceVector]

I know I can apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) while waiting for my student visa extension to be processed, but I won’t be able to work during this waiting period. My question is: once I receive my work permit, will I be able to leave the country and re-enter with my work permit?

Hi, just catching up on this thread as I am in a similar situation to yours. What did you end up doing in your situation (studying, extending your study permit + applying for work permit)?

 

[Naturgrl]

Hi, just catching up on this thread as I am in a similar situation to yours. What did you end up doing in your situation (studying, extending your study permit + applying for work permit)?

So when did your study permit expire? If you extended and applied without approval then you cannot work.

 

[SpaceVector]

So when did your study permit expire? If you extended and applied without approval then you cannot work.

Timeline & Situation

• Current Study permit expiry: 30 November 2025
• Study Permit Extension filed: 2 November 2025(requested ~2-month extension)
• Degree Completion letter: Expected by 12 December
• Job status: I have a Job Offer in hand
• Concern: Current study-permit extension processing times are ~6–8 months, so a short extension may not be meaningful even if approved later.

Questions

1. While on maintained status (after filing the extension), can I apply for a PGWP by referencing/attaching my pending extension application?
2. Given the job offer, are there other viable options right now?
3. Can I instead apply for an Open Work Permit based on the job offer? If so, which category would be appropriate?

Any guidance or first-hand experience with similar timelines would be appreciated.

 

[Naturgrl]

Timeline & Situation

• Current Study permit expiry: 30 November 2025
• Study Permit Extension filed: 2 November 2025(requested ~2-month extension)
• Degree Completion letter: Expected by 12 December
• Job status: I have a Job Offer in hand
• Concern: Current study-permit extension processing times are ~6–8 months, so a short extension may not be meaningful even if approved later.

Questions

1. While on maintained status (after filing the extension), can I apply for a PGWP by referencing/attaching my pending extension application?
2. Given the job offer, are there other viable options right now?
3. Can I instead apply for an Open Work Permit based on the job offer? If so, which category would be appropriate?

Any guidance or first-hand experience with similar timelines would be appreciated.

1. You can apply for PGWP but cannot work. You should have applied for extension 6 months ago.
2. Not unless study permit extension is approved and then apply for PGWP. Citizenship? Spouse?
3. PGWP is an open work permit so not eligible for any category unless you are eligible for IEC based on citizenship, spouse is Canadian/PR so applying for PR.