Hello everyone welcome back to Globexa immigration this is Jitender Grover in this blog we are discussing No SOWP for TEER 4/5 or WP under 16 month Are you still uncertain about how to navigate your Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) application or your Spouse Open Work Permit (SOWP) extension? You’re not alone. Many individuals continue to have questions, even after reading through the detailed guidelines available. In this blog, I am going to address the most common doubts that are received, offering clear answers to help you better understand the process and ensure a smooth application experience. Whether you’re wondering about the best time to apply for your PGWP, how to handle your spouse’s permit extension, or what the job requirements are for both applications, I’ve got you covered Spouse permits not allowed for TEER 4/5 jobs or under 16 months.

In this blog, I’ll focus on clearing up three specific doubts that many of you are still asking, even after reading the detailed post:

1. Should you apply for your PG work permit on implied status with your study permit extension, or should you wait for the study permit extension before applying for your PG work permit?
   
   
2. Should you apply for your spouse’s Open Work Permit (SOWP) extension at the same time as your PG work permit, or should you apply for it separately?
   
   
3. What are the job requirements for applying for a PG work permit?

If you want to get full details about the PG work permit, SOWP extension, and kids’ extension, please make sure to read the blog linked below. But, if you have already read the blog and just want to clarify these doubts, read this write up until the end.

1.1 PGWP: Should You Apply from Implied Status or After Study Permit Extension?

The first common question many students have is: Should you apply for your PG Work Permit (PGWP) while on implied status, or should you wait until your study permit extension is approved?

Many students have already applied for a study permit extension but haven’t received approval yet, leaving them on implied status. Let me walk you through a scenario to help clarify the process:

Scenario 1: Applying for PGWP from Implied Status

Let’s say you applied for a study permit extension in October 2024, but you haven’t received the result yet. Now, it’s January 2025, and you’ve received your course completion letter. Since you haven’t gotten your study permit extension approval, you’re currently on implied status.

If you decide to submit your PGWP application while on implied status, you will not be able to work until your PGWP is approved. This process can take around 4 to 5 months (depending on the timeline), meaning you’ll lose valuable work time. During this waiting period, you cannot work because you’re on implied status, so submitting your application at this stage isn’t advisable.

1.1.1 Why should you avoid submitting your PGWP application from implied status?

The primary reason is that you will lose 4-5 months of work time. You’re not allowed to work on implied status unless you’re on the implied status of a study permit extension. This brings us to the second scenario:

Scenario 2: Applying for PGWP After Study Permit Extension Approval

Now, let’s consider a better approach. Imagine you receive approval for your study permit extension in February 2025, and you haven’t yet submitted your PGWP application. Once your study permit extension is approved, you are officially a student again. At this point, you can submit your PGWP application.

When you apply after your study permit extension approval, you’ll be placed on implied status as a student, which allows you to continue working full-time while waiting for your PGWP approval. However, you’ll lose one month of work time while waiting for your study permit extension approval.

In this case, if you receive your course completion letter today, you’ll need to stop working. Since you are on implied status due to the study permit extension application, you cannot work. If you apply for your PGWP while on implied status before receiving study permit approval, you’ll be on the “implied status of implied status”, which means you still cannot work.

If you apply for your PGWP before getting your study permit extension approval, you may face a waiting period of 4-5 months until you can work again. Instead, it’s better to wait for your study permit extension approval, which typically takes around 2 months.

1.1.2 What Happens After Your Study Permit Extension Is Approved?

Once you receive your study permit extension approval (e.g., in February), you can apply for your PGWP. From that moment, you’ll be on implied status as a student, and you’ll be allowed to work full-time until your PGWP is approved.

Even after you receive your PGWP approval, you can continue working. For instance, if you get a 3-year PGWP, you will be able to work for the full 3 years plus the processing time, which is typically 4 to 5 months. This processing time is important because it counts toward your PR (Permanent Residency). If you’re working full-time during this period, it counts toward your work experience, helping you build the points you need for your PR application.

1.1.3 Why Is Waiting Important?

Many people ask if they can apply for their PGWP while on implied status, but I strongly advise against this. Applying from implied status doesn’t allow you to work until your PGWP is approved. So, why rush?

Instead, wait for your study permit extension approval, which you’ve already applied for. Once you receive the approval (usually within 2 months), apply for your PGWP. This way, you will continue working full-time while you wait for your PGWP approval.

1.1.4 How Much Time Do You Have to Apply for PGWP?

A common question is: How long do you have to apply for a PGWP? The answer is that you can apply up to 6 months after receiving your course completion letter. For example, if you receive your course completion letter on January 10th, you have up to 6 months to apply for your PGWP.

You don’t have to rush the process. Waiting for your study permit extension will give you a significant advantage, including the ability to work for an additional 3-4 months during the processing time of your PGWP. Otherwise, you will need to wait 4-5 months for your PGWP approval before you can start working.

1.2 Spouse Open Work Permit (SOWP) Extension

A common question many students ask is about the extension of the Spouse Open Work Permit (SOWP). There is often confusion surrounding this topic, and I want to be blunt with you: do not blindly follow the advice given by the immigration teams at your university.

At many universities, there is an immigration team that helps students with their applications, but they often lack complete knowledge about all types of permits, especially the SOWP or its extension. I’ve seen many cases where the university immigration team handled PGWP applications but failed to provide accurate guidance regarding the spouse’s open work permit extension.

A similar issue occurs with organizations like IDP in India. They don’t address the SOWP or SOWP extensions properly, especially when students are married. In some cases, they don’t even mention the spouse’s permit at all when a student applies for a study permit. Be cautious when receiving advice from these sources.

1.2.1 The Problem with Following Incorrect Guidance

I’ve heard numerous stories about students who followed the advice of their university’s immigration team and ran into problems. For instance, at Algoma University, the immigration team advised students not to work even after completing their studies. This advice is incorrect, once your semester ends, you’re allowed to work full-time. After receiving your course completion letter, you need to stop working only to apply for your PGWP. Once you’ve submitted the application, you can resume full-time work immediately.

Similarly, at McEwan University, students reported that the immigration team didn’t discuss SOWP extension at all. They didn’t know what to do in the current scenario regarding the spouse’s work permit extension. Don’t blindly follow the advice of your university’s immigration team if it’s unclear or incomplete.

1.2.2 Should You Apply for SOWP Extension Along with PGWP Application?

Now, let’s address the main question: Should you apply for your spouse’s open work permit (SOWP) extension with your PGWP application?

The answer is Yes, always apply for your spouse’s extension along with your PGWP application. Here’s why:

Imagine you apply for your PGWP today (let’s say January 10th). You might not get the result until May 25th. During this period, suppose your spouse’s open work permit is valid only until April 25th. By the time you receive your PGWP approval, your spouse could be out of status.

What will you do if your spouse’s work permit expires before your PGWP approval arrives? In most cases, the PGWP processing time is around 4-5 months, meaning your spouse will likely be out of status when their permit expires. This situation is problematic because, without submitting the application along with your PGWP, you will have no basis to apply for your spouse’s extension.

1.2.3 Why You Should Submit Both Applications Together

You cannot submit the SOWP extension application separately after your PGWP application is in process. If you try, the application will have no base since the primary applicant (you) won’t have status. If you submit the SOWP extension application after your PGWP application is already in the system, the visa officer reviewing the applications will likely refuse the spouse’s application due to the lack of status for the primary applicant.

In this case, the best approach is to submit both the PGWP and SOWP extension applications together. This way, both applications will be processed by the same visa officer and, ideally, will be approved at the same time, usually in May. Once the primary applicant receives their PGWP, the spouse will get their open work permit extension.

1.2.4 What If You Apply After PGWP Approval?

It’s also possible to apply for the spouse’s open work permit extension after receiving PGWP approval. However, there is one important condition: the spouse must have more than 6 months left on their current work permit.

For example, if your spouse has 6 or more months left on their SOWP when you apply for the PGWP, you can wait until you receive your PGWP approval, and then apply for the extension. This scenario works because your spouse will still have time left on their work permit during the PGWP processing period, which typically takes 4-5 months.

In this case, you can submit the SOWP extension application after receiving your PGWP approval without any issues, as long as there is enough time left on your spouse’s current permit.

1.3 Job Requirements for PG Work Permit amp; SOWP Extension

A common question I get from individuals applying for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) is: What are the job requirements for a PG work permit?

1.3.1 Job Requirements for PG Work Permit

When applying for a PGWP as a single applicant, there are no job requirements, even if you don’t have a job, your PG work permit can still be approved. So, if you’re in this situation, there’s no need to worry about meeting specific job criteria.

1.3.2 Job Requirements for Spouse Open Work Permit (SOWP) Extension

Now, the situation becomes a bit more complicated when it comes to the spouse open work permit (SOWP) extension. Many people have questions regarding the job requirements for this. Let me clear up the confusion:

• For the primary applicant applying for a PG work permit, the job requirement depends on the type of job they have. Specifically, the primary applicant needs to be employed in a NOC (National Occupational Classification) B level job. Typically, this is a Tier 0, 1, 2, or 3 job, which represents professional, managerial, or skilled trades roles.
  
  
• What if the primary applicant is working in a lower-level job? If the primary applicant holds a lower-level job for example, Tier 4 or 5 jobs, there is a higher chance of the visa being refused, even though such cases may still get accepted. However, it’s best to aim for a Tier 0, 1, 2, or 3 job to increase the chances of approval.
  
  
• Some people have been asking if only Tier 0 and Tier 1 jobs will be required in the future. This is a proposal, but it is not yet a rule. For now, Tier 0, 1, 2, and 3 jobs are the requirement.

1.3.3 How to Check Your Job’s NOC Tier Level

If you’re unsure of your job’s NOC level, don’t worry. You can check it by visiting the link given: https://noc.esdc.gc.ca/

I’ll also create a separate blog to walk you through how to check your NOC tier level. By entering your job title, you can quickly determine whether it falls under Tier 0, 1, 2, or 3.

For now, it is mandatory for the primary applicant to hold a Tier 0, 1, 2, or 3 job to increase your chances of getting approval for the PG work permit and spouse open work permit (SOWP) extension.

1.3.4 Job Requirements for the Spouse

When it comes to the spouse’s open work permit extension, the rules are a bit more relaxed, but there is still a high probability of refusal if the spouse does not meet the job requirements. Although it is not a written rule, many people’s applications have been rejected because the spouse was not working in a Tier 0, 1, 2, or 3 job.

In practice, spouses who hold lower-tier jobs (Tier 4 or 5) are more likely to face refusals. While it’s not mandatory to have a job in these higher-tier levels, it is highly recommended to secure employment in Tier 0, 1, 2, or 3 for both the primary applicant and their spouse.

1.3.5 If You Don’t Have a Job Yet

What if you don’t have a job at the time of applying for your PG work permit? If you’re still looking for work, you can still submit your PGWP and SOWP extension applications. Once you secure a job, especially in a Tier 0, 1, 2, or 3 roles, you can submit the updated information through a webform to the IRCC.

For instance, if you were working in a Tier 4 or Tier 5 job previously but now find employment in a Tier 2 or Tier 3 job, it would be an upgrade. You can submit these updates to the IRCC through a webform, and we can assist you with that process.

These are the three most common questions I’ve received, even after publishing a detailed blog on PGWP and SOWP extensions. If you’d like to explore the complete, in-depth guide, click the link below: Complete Guide to PG Work Permit & Spouse Open Work Permit Extension

If you’re looking to apply for your PG work permit, SOWP extension, or your children’s extensions, feel free to contact us. We at Globexa would be happy to guide you through the application process and ensure that everything is handled smoothly.

I hope you found this blog helpful! For more valuable and informative content, be sure to visit our website frequently. Stay tuned for our next blog!