Canada introduces new changes to the PGWP.

Post-Graduation Work Permit: A PGWP allows international students to stay in Canada and start working full-time for a maximum period of three years. If a student graduates from a Canadian post-secondary institution, he or she becomes eligible to apply for PGWP. Post-Graduation Work Permit is one of the most coveted programs among international students. Through the PGWP, international graduates can get Canadian work experience which becomes highly useful when they apply for their Canada PR process. A Canadian work experience can provide better chances to an immigration candidate to qualify for the Express Entry System and Provincial Nominee Programs.

New changes to PGWP

Generally, Post-Graduation Work Permits cannot be extended once the validity period is expired. Also, an approved LMIA application is required if international students apply for a new work permit. However, the federal government made changes to this policy on 8th January 2021. So, as per the recent changes, international students whose open work permit expired will now be able to re-apply.

Following are the conditions that individuals need to fulfill if they want to apply for an open work permit:

Their PGWP must be expired on or after 30th January 2020;
They must be staying in Canada;
They must have a valid status as a temporary resident.

The application process for PGWP opened on January 27th and the window will be open until 27th July 2021. So, candidates have nearly six months to apply for the open work permit. Further, this new policy will help several Canadian employers as they will be able to hire foreign nationals without the requirement of an LMIA. The federal government has implemented this new change to the PGWP to provide some flexibility to international students. As international students are a valuable asset for the Canadian economy, the new measure will prove favorable for Canada.