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
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).
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).