A member in Nova Scotia had their study program, visa, and study permit all expiring around the same date in April 2024, with their last semester ending just before that — leaving a tight window to get final transcripts and apply for a PGWP, and they also asked about AIPP eligibility with only 16 months of study.
What the thread clarified:- Apply for your open work permit (PGWP) immediately once you receive your final transcripts — this is the trigger point, not your last day of class.
- If your study permit expires before you'll actually have your final transcripts in hand, apply for a study permit extension to bridge that gap. Members were reassuring that study permit extensions are generally straightforward to get.
- Map out the exact sequence of dates: last day of classes → expected transcript turnaround (which can itself take about 15 days) → your study permit's actual expiry date. If the permit's expiry falls before you'd realistically have transcripts, that's your signal to file an extension well in advance rather than waiting until the last moment.
The practical takeaway: don't assume your study permit's expiry date and your actual program completion (final transcripts in hand) will line up neatly — map out the real dates, and if there's a gap, file a study permit extension ahead of time so you're not caught without valid status right when you need to apply for your PGWP.