Can I apply for a PGWP if my study permit already expired after graduation?
You can still apply for a PGWP even if your study permit has expired after graduation, provided you apply within 180 days of receiving your official graduation proof and your permit expired after you completed your program. A study permit that expires during your program — as opposed to after graduation — is a different and more serious problem.
If your study permit expired before you graduated, you may have been out of status while completing your studies, which would disqualify you from the PGWP. If your permit expired after you finished but before you applied, and you are still within the 180-day window, you may still qualify — but you should confirm the specific expiry date and graduation date with an immigration lawyer.
Once the 180-day application window closes, you lose the PGWP option permanently for that program. Time is critical, and this is not an area where guessing is safe.
Key takeaways
- A post-graduation permit expiry does not automatically disqualify you from the PGWP
- You must apply within 180 days of official graduation confirmation regardless of permit status
- Permit expiry before graduation is a more serious problem and may disqualify you
- Confirm your specific dates with a lawyer before assuming you are eligible or not