As per Canada’s minister Sean Fraser’s announcement, individuals with expiring Post-Graduation Work Permits can now apply for an open work permit extension. This will be effective from 6th April 2023.
An Open Work Permit extension is available for those whose PGWP expires in 2023. Furthermore, it will be available to anyone whose PGWP expired in 2022. And who applied to the IRCC last year for an Open Work Permit extension.
Interested candidates can apply for the extension starting on April 6 through the IRCC website. IRCC will email the temporary work permit to the Candidate after submitting the application. Also, It enabling them to continue working legally in Canada.
It is possible to apply concurrently for the restoration of legal status to individuals whose legal status in Canada has expired outside of IRCC’s 90-day grace period. The reinstatement process and the temporary Open Work Permit will be available until April 6.
It said it would send IRCC Secure Account invitations to people who qualify for the extension starting on April 6. The Canadian Government designates an institution from which international students can obtain PGWPs upon completion of an educational program.
An authorized foreign student institution is a school that has received approval from the government to admit foreign students.
The PGWP allows foreign graduates to work for any employer for up to three years. PGWP length depends on the educational program completed by the international graduate.
The benefits of PGWP for foreign students
Because Canada’s immigration policies emphasize economic class immigration, international students highly prize PGWPs. Usually, these programs reward Canada-based candidates.
Statistics Canada’s research shows how international students who ultimately become citizens of Canada benefit from such employment and study experiences.
Immigration candidates’ integration into Canadian society is believed to be enhanced by obtaining a Canadian education, working in Canada, improving their English, and establishing social networks.
In consequence, some routes, such as the federal Express Entry system, reward candidates who have studied and worked in the country. As well, the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is only available to foreign graduates.
Foreign students wishing to study in Canada express a strong interest in permanent residency. Increasing immigration rates and Canada’s openness to foreign talent contribute to the higher international student level.
It is estimated that more than 800,000 foreign students resided in Canada at the end of 2022. Most permanent residents (PRs) who move from temporary residence to permanent residence are holders of the PGWP.
The percentage of TRs who became permanent residents in 2022 was about 82%. Canada will welcome 500,000 permanent residents in 2025, up from 465,000 in 2023.
Canada does not have a specific goal for which TRs it would like to convert to PR, despite Minister Fraser’s constant expression of his desire to assist in such a transition.
In his mandate letter from the Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Minister Fraser outlined one of his goals as increasing TR to PR transitions through Express Entry.
Due to the high demand for PGWP holders to become permanent residents. IRCC has approved two exceptions in recent years to allow them to extend their Open Work Permits.
Citizenship and Immigration Canada has made these exclusions to give these individuals more time for applying for permanent residence. Final exceptions apply to those whose PGWP expires between September 2021 and December 2022.
It is estimated that there will be more than 286,000 PGWP holders in Canada by the end of 2022, according to IRCC. Approximately 67,000 holders of PGWPs have already applied for permanent residency. Thus, eliminating the need to renew their work permits when their current 127,000 PGWPs expire in 2023.
