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CEC applicants in the Express Entry pool have not been invited to apply for permanent residence since the previous all-program draw on January 18, approximately two months ago.

Since then, drawings for candidates in the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) and the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) have become program-specific, leaving many Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) holders in the CEC concerned as their permits approach their expiration date.

Express Entry draw patterns have been inconsistent when compared to all drawings held between July and November 2022. During that time period, Express Entry drawings were all-program, which meant that any applicant in the Express Entry application management system who had at least the minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score was eligible to get an invitation to apply (ITA).

PGWPs are provided to graduate students who want to stay in Canada after completing an appropriate program of study at a Designated Learning Institution in Canada. The licenses are only valid for three years (depending on the duration of the study program) and cannot be extended or renewed.

Maintaining status as a PGWP holder waiting for a CEC draw

You can continue working and living in Canada as a temporary resident as long as you apply for another work or study permit before your PGWP expires and while IRCC processes your new application and you wait for the next CEC draw.

LMIA-required work permits

If you are already working, you may be eligible to switch from a PGWP (open work permit) to one that needs a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). This implies that your company must apply to Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) to determine if "hiring" you will have a positive, neutral, or negative influence on the Canadian labour force.

LMIA exempt work permits

Most LMIA-exempt or International Mobility Program licenses fall under the major benefit and reciprocal employment categories.

Study permit

As a PGWP holder, you are already qualified to work in Canada if you are enrolled in a post-secondary Specified Learning institution. Full-time students may work off campus 20 hours per week throughout the academic year and full-time during specified academic breaks.

Visitor visa

If none of these alternatives work for you, you can leave Canada when your PGWP expires and return with a visitor's visa (TRV). A TRV allows you to stay in Canada but does not enable you to work or study.

Visitor record

You can also keep your status by requesting a visitor record. A visitor record differs from a visitor visa in that it is obtained without leaving Canada. To be eligible, you must apply at least 30 days before the expiration of your PGWP (or other work or study visa).