Regulations on immigration to Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic – effective from January 7, 2021
January 4, 2021
Update information on Post Graduate Work Permit PGWP requirements
February 10, 2021
IRCC recognizes that, due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Canadian labor market, PGWP holders may have lost their employment or seen their hours reduced. A temporary public policy has been established to facilitate the issuance of open work permits to current PGWP holders with soon-to-expire permits and former PGWP holders for a maximum duration of 18 months.
The latest statistics show that international students contribute more than $21 billion annually to the economy and have always played an essential role in community development in Canada. Canada's Immigration Minister, Mr. Marco E.L. Mendicino, once stated in his speech to international students and graduates in Canada that "We don’t just want you to study here, we want you to stay here."
To be eligible for the open work permit which will extend for extra 18 months, the foreign national must submit clear evidence that they meet all the following criteria:
- Hold a valid PGWP that expires within four months of the date they submitted their application or had a PGWP that expired on or after January 30, 2020
- Were in Canada on January 27, 2021, when the public policy took effect and still remain in Canada
- Lost the temporary resident status, but he/she has applied to restore his/her status The deadline for applying for a PGWP permit extension is January 27, 2021, to July 27, 2021.
The deadline for applying for a PGWP permit extension is from: 27/1/2021 to 27/7/2021.
This temporary policy is a very positive move by the Canadian government to create conditions for international students to have more opportunities to stabilize their work and life in Canada during the complicated COVID-19 pandemic throughout 2020.
Source: CANADA.CA | Translation: BML Canada Inc. team
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