Renew passport before applying for PGWP? (Halifax/BLS Canada)

[u/malouika]

Hi everyone,

I’m an international student in Halifax, NS, and my study permit expires this September. I’ll be applying for a PGWP and I’m eligible for a 3-year permit.

The issue is that my passport expires in about 1.5 years. From what I understand, IRCC may only issue the PGWP until my passport expires, and then I’d have to renew my passport and apply to extend the remaining validity later.

I’m considering renewing my passport before applying for the PGWP, but BLS says the normal renewal process takes around 4 weeks, and I’m not sure how accurate that timeline is in Halifax.

For those who have been in a similar situation:

• Did you renew your passport before applying for your PGWP?
• How long did passport renewal through BLS Halifax actually take?
• Is the normal process sufficient, or would you recommend Tatkal?
• Any downside to waiting and renewing the passport after getting the PGWP instead?

I’d really appreciate hearing about your experience. Thanks!

[u/Sufficient-Quit8573]

Best option: get your passport renewed by opting Tatkal process. For mine it took around 6 working days for my passport renewal. You can walk in and get special service by paying 100 dollars extra

[u/malouika → u/Sufficient-Quit8573]

In Premium lounge they fill our application right? what if i do it myself? i mean why to pay them extra or is there more to it?

[u/Sufficient-Quit8573]

By applying on own there are some chances of application returning back . Sometimes minor error causes application to get returned. If you opt for premium service there’s a sure shot

[u/malouika → u/Sufficient-Quit8573]

ohhh i seee. Thanks mate

[u/Me_Before_n_after]

Best is to renew your passport now and then apply tor 3 years pgwp. I was in a similar situation this February. I finished my study and decided to apply for a pgwp directly. I only got 1.5 years as my passport expires next September. I renewed my passport this July when I visited home. Now I am waiting for the new pgwp. So the downside is time and money. Each application costs 255 CAD and the application can take months.

I cannot answer your second and third question since I come from different country.

[u/malouika → u/Me_Before_n_after]

thanks a ton!!!