The Canadian government has now launched a new policy that aims to support the preceding international students who have been affected by COVID-19 during the time of residing in Canada.
From 27 January, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) have been continually receiving the application from Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) holders. They have already seen their permit getting expired, or the dates of their permits are coming closer to expire.
The foremost aim of the new policy is to expand PGWP holders’ time to obtain the Canadian work experience requirements to get qualified for the Canadian immigration program. Federal and provincial governments play a significant role in holding on to the former international students as immigrants. This is government analysis that shows that proceedings international students tend to unite significantly for the Canadian job market with the motive to acquire permanent residence.
Provided the collapse due to the crisis of COVID-19, PGWP holders might be facing several challenges to acquire work experience, which they require for Canadian immigration. The current policy will facilitate them to obtain the open work permits that will be conclusive for up to 18 months.
IRCC evaluates that overall, 52,000 PGWP holders might get benefits from the new policy. Applicants have the time until July 27, 2021, to submit a new work permit.
Some of the eligibility criteria are as follows:
- Retains a PGWP that was terminated on or after January 30, 2020, or a PGWP that will get released within four months from your application’s date.
- You were residing in Canada on 27 January 2021 when the new policy come in force and persists in the country.
- It would help if you have a persuasive temporary status in Canada or have registered to recover your situation, or will be going to register to recover your status.
- You should notify in your application that you are applying for the new open work permit.
- You should have a valid passport. IRCC strengthens you to make sure that your passport is valid for a minimum of 18 months from the time when the application got verified. In case your passport terminates with 18 months, the open work permit you acquire should be of the consolidated length of time, just as your passport’s validity time.
The PGWP is prominent among the preceding international students as reports prove that many are looking to apply for Canadian immigration. Students graduating from Designated Learning Institution (DLIs) might register to acquire a PGWP for a maximum period of three years.
The post-graduate work experience they obtain in Canada is highly aspiring to Canada’s over 100 different skilled worker pathways. Express Entry, Quebec Experience Program, and the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) all reward applicants with the Canadian experience.
In general, one can only acquire PGWP only once in a lifetime. This means that those affected due to the pandemic of COVID-19 might not be in a situation to reside in Canada because of the weaker labor market as they might have been set off, facing challenges to secure work, or have noticed that their work hours getting reduced.
This policy is a part of Canada’s overall efforts to support high-level immigration before and after the pandemic. Canada has decided to welcome around 40,000 new immigrants each year under their Immigration level plan 2021-2023. Through this, International graduates can pursue Canadian work experience during the pandemic. It also provides Canada with a global talent to choose from, and it will achieve its high immigration target in support of its post-COVID economic recovery.