The PGWP is to give you a status in canada and/or let you work while you wait for your PR (for quebec anyway because other provinces have a mandatory 1 year working period). The only issue that there may be a very good chance that the PEQ programme may change its requirements by the time you apply, but other than that there is no real reason to get it. I believe though that the PGWP is specific to when you graduated but am not 100% sure (i.e., you're supposed to get it soon after graduating, not years later). I had planned to leave the country for a few years and apply later for PR too (once you have your CSQ technically it doesn't matter if they change the requirements of the PEQ programme).BioMed said:Thanks for the reply. Does that mean that I do need a PGWP in order to get the PEQ for three years (proportional to the duration of PhD)? I am planning to apply for PEQ as I am finishing PhD, but will have to leave Canada soon after my PhD for postdoc training in the US. However, I would be willing to come back to Canada as a PR after my postdoc training. That's why I don't really need a PGWP at the time. what do you think?
Thanks
So after checking my CSQ document its validity is for 3 years from the date I got it. I actually don't think it has anything to do with PGWP but since I got both documents at the same time they have similar validity i suppose. ( quebec is in charge of CSQ and the federal govt is in charge of PGWP).
I would get the PGWP if you plan to be visiting canada in the meantime since like I said it gives you a legal status in canada (since your study permit will soon expire).