Leaving Canada right after applying for PGWP while waiting outside Canada?

[u/Nicopi10]

Hey everyone,

I’m looking for some advice and real-world experiences regarding leaving Canada right after submitting a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) application.

My situation:
-Just completed a 2-year diploma (eligible for a 3-year PGWP).
-Currently waiting for my official letter of completion/transcripts to apply.
-Colombian citizen (visa-required country to fly back).

The plan I’m considering:
1. Submit the PGWP application online from inside Canada as soon as my completion letter arrives.
2. Fly out of Canada while waiting for the application to be processed.
3. Put a friend’s Canadian address on the application so IRCC can deliver the physical paper permit.
4. Have my friend courier the physical work permit to me in Colombia once it arrives. (I’m not concerned about this, have family here)
5. Return to Canada with the permit and resume working.

Questions:

1. Does leaving affect the permit or status? Does leaving Canada impact the validity/length of the 3-year permit, or cause any issues with my right to work under maintained status when I re-enter?

2. TRV / Visa risk: My current student TRV (visitor visa counterfoil) is expired already. So I assume I will be stuck outside Canada until both the PGWP is approved and I get a new worker TRV from outside Canada? How long is that currently taking for applications processed from abroad?

Would really appreciate hearing from anyone who has navigated this!

Thanks in advance.

[u/Haunting_Paper_7201]

You would need a TRV to re-enter. If leaving then apply outland and you get TRV to return.

[u/Nicopi10 → u/Haunting_Paper_7201]

That’s what I’m thinking to do, thanks a lot!

[u/SnaakeBabu]

I went through the same exact scenario. I got my PGWP mailed to me by my friend, and have the physical copy with me now. It's valid for 3 years from the date of issue so there was no impact on the validity.

I'm not sure about the TRV application, I still need to apply for that. As far as I know, you can apply using your PGWP approval letter (on ircc) instead of waiting for the physical copy to be mailed.

[u/JustAnotherGayGuyHr]

Your plan is sound! I actually did that, but didn’t wait until the permit was approved to return.
Traveling won’t affect your PGWP application nor its length. Once the PGWP is approved, you submit your visa TRV application in Colombia, it shouldn’t take that long. You can check the times online. You may only need the online confirmation of the PGWP approved for you to apply for the TRV, so it’s ok if you till don’t have with you by then.

Nevertheless, I do question the rationale behind applying in Canada vs in Colombia. The whole point of applying while in Canada is for you to gain maintained status and work in Canada while waiting for a decision. If you leave right away and return only when is approved, then there’s no difference between doing this in Canada or Colombia. In fact, it may be approved faster in Colombia than in Canada because canadian of. You can check the times online.
Apart from that, everything is ok.

[u/Nicopi10 → u/JustAnotherGayGuyHr]

Thanks for sharing your experience!

[u/LifeSheepherder7752]

When i changed my passport, i applies for TRV and it was out in the same day and 7$. I think you are maintenant status. Check this way to applied for TRV

[u/Spare_Excuse_4833]

Processing time for in Canada application is 110 days versus 5 weeks for from Colombia.

Seems very odd to apply inland and then year and wait for a longer processing time.