Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) holders whose permits have already expired or are about to expire were advised to wait for an email containing advice on how to prolong their status. After a day, numerous postings on social media claimed that IRCC had sent information on the basis of names, application numbers, and special client’s identifiers to the incorrect addresses.
The additional restrictions were announced on 2 August, the day after the violation was discovered, according to a media report. The purpose of the emails was to inform customers that they would be able to amend their work permits to have an extended validity date or to provide prospective consumers with the option to decline the renewal.
The IRCC’s email stated that an inquiry into the occurrence was “currently in progress” as is the norm with privacy violations. To maintain information security. We are following protocol and putting the system in place. Customers will get an email containing the right information when all impacted individuals have been found.
The IRCC advises those impacted to hold off until they receive a separate email notifying them of the data violation. Anybody who obtained a message that was meant for another person should delete it. The appropriate email message will then be sent, along with a notification of the correction to those who were affected.
The IRCC stated:
The impacted clients will receive a separate email notifying them of the privacy violation. We’re encouraging customers to delete inaccurate emails from their inboxes and to refrain from forwarding them to others. Notification of rectification and the appropriate email message will be delivered once the problem has been fixed, and individuals who were impacted will get it.
The media spokesman provided the following response when asked what steps the IRCC is taking to address the problem: “The Canadian government continues to take privacy incredibly seriously, and we will take the appropriate actions to safeguard the privacy of everyone we assist. To safeguard the privacy of Canadians and those seeking to immigrate here, IRCC has a number of regulations and procedures in place, and we periodically take measures to make sure they are being followed.
To avoid a repeat of this circumstance and to reduce human error, IRCC is also examining its current procedures. In response to inquiries about whether or not this data breach will affect how quickly clients are getting their work permits as well as how long it would take for clients to know the appropriate emails, IRCC officials state that the matter is still under examination and they are unable to provide a specific timeline until the matter is handled.
Why are these emails important?
Without a valid visa, foreign nationals are not permitted to work in Canada. Most often, they require a work permit that enables them to employment in Canada for a specific period of time. It is possible to work for any workplace in Canada with the PGWP, which is an open work permit that is issued only once. All of these people with work permits have degrees from Canadian higher education institutions. They frequently use the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), a framework for managing Express Entry immigrant applications, to apply for permanent residency.
PGWP holders who requested immigration prior to IRCC discontinuing CEC (Canadian Experience Class) draws in September 2021 were permitted to remain after the expiration of their PGWP by requesting a BOWP (Bridging Open Work Permit). While PGWP applicants residing in Canada would be unable to apply, they would be compelled to leave their jobs or ask that their employer request an LMIA for renewal of work permit.
TR2PR applicants who are awaiting a determination on their application are not eligible to apply for a BOWP, however, they have a work permit which might allow them to continue working until their work permit expires and they are granted permanent residency.
In April, the IRCC made public the special provision for PGWP holders, and in August, it published application guidelines. It is intended that holders of work permits may use these letters to apply for their new status and continue working in Canada. Without a prolongation, these workers in Canada risk being squeezed out of a labor market that is already under pressure from a combination of many job openings and low unemployment. The stress of losing their jobs and the risk of having to leave the country or draw on their funds to stay is being felt by PGWP holders in the meanwhile.
