Starting from April 6, 2023, certain present and former Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) recipients may qualify for an Open Work Permit lasting 18 months. Detailed information is available on the IRCC's website, and applications will be accepted until December 31, 2023.
Benefits and Options for Eligible Candidates
Obtaining this Open Work Permit allows eligible persons to work for any employer in Canada in any occupation for an additional 18 months. According to the IRCC's website, eligible candidates have the option to:
- choose a streamlined process to prolong their work permit
- submit an application to extend their work permit, or
- apply to restore their status and acquire a new work permit
Even those who do not qualify for the simplified extension can apply for a work permit.
Steps for Eligible Candidates to Follow for Simplified Extension
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has recently emailed potentially eligible candidates for the streamlined process to extend their work permit. The emails are sent from addresses ending in @cic.gc.ca or @notifications.canada.ca. If you are eligible, you must act before May 20, 2023, and apply before your work permit expires.
To qualify for the streamlined process, applicants must:
- Live in Canada
- Sign in to their IRCC Secure Account and:
- update their mailing address, if necessary
- verify that their passport information is current and that the expiration date is June 2025 or later, and
- select the option to extend their work permit for up to 18 more months
If you don't have an account, you must register for an IRCC Secure Account and link your most recent PGWP application to your account before May 20, 2023.
Overview of the Open Work Permit Extension
In March, Canadian Immigration Minister Sean Fraser revealed that IRCC would offer a new Open Work Permit to eligible former and current PGWP recipients. Usually, a PGWP cannot be renewed, and individuals with an expiring PGWP must either find another way to stay in Canada or leave the country.
Fraser stated that the goal of this unique public policy is to help Canadian employers address ongoing labour shortages and give PGWP holders more time to potentially transition to permanent residence.
Significance of PGWPs for International Graduates
PGWPs enable eligible international graduates to work in Canada for up to three years after completing their studies. The final duration of a PGWP depends on the length of the study program completed by the international graduate.
PGWPs are attractive since they allow international graduates to improve their eligibility for Canadian permanent residence. Many Canadian economic class immigration programs, such as Express Entry, the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), and other economic class pathways, offer more points or dedicated streams to those with Canadian work experience. This is because research from Statistics Canada reveals that Canadian work experience supports labour market integration for those who become permanent residents.
International Students and Transition to Permanent Residence
In 2022, Canada welcomed a record 800,000 international students. Of these, nearly 98,000 PGWP holders became permanent residents, accounting for around 82% of all temporary residents who transitioned to permanent residence.
IRCC reported that over 286,000 PGWP holders were in Canada at the end of last year when announcing this special policy measure. The department anticipates that around 127,000 PGWPs will expire in 2023, but approximately 67,000 PGWP holders have already applied for permanent residence and therefore will not need to apply for a new Open Work Permit through this specific policy measure.