Question 1

How do I know that my course is completed for PGWP purposes?

Accepted Answer

Your course is considered completed when your Designated Learning Institution (DLI) officially confirms that you have met all requirements. Acceptable evidence includes a completion or graduation letter, an official final transcript, or a student portal update. The date used for PGWP eligibility is the earliest of these confirmations.

Question 2

When do I have to stop working in Canada after completing my studies for PGWP?

Accepted Answer

You must stop working once your DLI confirms completion, unless you have already applied for a PGWP. If you apply for a PGWP before your study permit expires, you can keep working full-time while awaiting a decision. If not, you must stop immediately.

Question 3

What should I do if my Canadian study permit has expired and I haven't applied for a PGWP?

Accepted Answer

If your study permit has expired, you may have up to 90 days to apply for a PGWP and restore your status. During restoration, you cannot work until the PGWP is approved. If more than 90 days have passed, you must leave Canada and apply from outside.

Question 4

Can I sponsor my common-law partner if we have not lived together for 12 months?

Accepted Answer

To meet the definition of a common-law partner under Canadian immigration rules, couples generally need to show at least 12 consecutive months of living together in a marriage-like relationship. Short absences, such as for emergencies or work, may be considered by immigration officers, but eligibility is always assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Question 5

Do short absences break the 12-month cohabitation requirement for common-law partners?

Accepted Answer

Short or temporary absences—such as business trips, vacations, study or work-related travel, or family emergencies—generally do not interrupt the 12-month cohabitation requirement for common-law sponsorship under IRPR, provided certain conditions are met.

Question 6

Does living together outside Canada count toward common-law status??

Accepted Answer

Yes. Immigration officers may consider periods of living together outside Canada when assessing common-law status. Generally, couples who have lived together for 12 months or more may be considered common-law, but eligibility is always assessed on a case-by-case basis and depends on the documentation provided.

Question 7

What if our families are unaware of our common-law relationship?

Accepted Answer

Family recognition may be helpful in supporting a common-law application, but it is not the only factor officers look at.

Question 8

Can same-sex couples apply as common-law partners?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Canadian immigration rules do not distinguish between opposite-sex and same-sex couples. What matters is whether the relationship meets the definition of common-law, including the required period of cohabitation and supporting documentation.

Question 9

How is a conjugal partner different from a common-law partner?

Accepted Answer

In general, a common-law partnership is based on at least 12 months of continuous cohabitation in a marriage-like relationship. A conjugal partnership may be considered when couples cannot live together due to circumstances beyond their control, such as immigration barriers, cultural restrictions, or legal limitations.

Frequently asked questions

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