On January 8, 2021, the Government of Canada announced a new policy to help former international students. This is regarding the continuation of living and working in Canada for international students. This will help a lot of PGWP holders.
The Honourable Marco E. L. Mendicino, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced that the former international students who are the holders of PGWP or expired PGWP will be allowed to apply for an open work permit. This shows the efforts of the Canadian Government to support foreign students in this covid pandemic spread around the world.
International citizens in Canada with an expiring or expired Post Graduation Work Permit(PGWP) affected with the pandemic will get another chance to apply for another open work permit. This PGWP will be valid for 18 months and allow former international students to continue their stay in Canada and look for employment.
Applications for the open work permits will begin from 27th January to 27th July 2021. To apply for an open work permit under the public policy, check the following points
The Canadian government has made significant efforts to encourage international students to settle permanently in Canada. Many International students bring strong employment and language skills, strengthened with Canadian education and work experience will bring them to a position to apply for permanent resident status.
Around 58,000 graduates applied to settle permanently in the year 2019. Their decisions to remain in Canada will help to tackle the demographic challenges of the country. This policy is also applied to create jobs and fill labour shortages so that the businesses in Canada can thrive along with providing international work experience to their former PGWP holders. Canada has made a chart for its recovery, attracting skilled immigrants is a central part of our plan.
Around 61,000 PGWP holders had an expiry date from January and December 2020. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) calculated that around 52,000 graduates hold or held PGWPs could get advantage from the new open work permit. This new policy would help them to get the status of Permanent resident in Canada. They will be able to successfully build a career in this country.
IRCC said in a press release ‘The new policy will help more graduates fill pressing needs in areas like health care, technology, and more”
This will help former international students to stay in Canada which will fill the needs of manpower in areas like health care, technology etc. It will contribute in large and small to short-term recovery and long-term prosperity.
By bringing this policy Canada has once again proved its eagerness to attract more and more international students. Canada is one among those countries who never fails to impress the international students. It keeps changing its policy with the changing conditions to benefit the international students the most.
The pandemic has brought countless challenges for international students. Especially for the holders of post-graduation work permits (PGWP). The disturbance and unpredictability caused due to Covid pandemic have damaged the chances of gaining the Canadian work experience that enables them to apply for permanent residence. This new policy will help them to get through this and successfully build permanent careers in Canada.
Twinkle is an active listener and observer. She has a boundless curiosity to improvise her all-round knowledge. She is always open about her thoughts and her personality is filled with thirst for acquiring knowledge about different fields. Her favourite pastime is to pen down her thoughts and knowledge. Her strength is the simplicity of language yet being artistic.
Register here to get newsletters for the latest study abroad news & free counselling assistance.
Study in Canada 
Cost of Studying in Canada 
Universities in Canada 
Masters in Canada 
Student Visa For Canada 
Intakes in Canada
Categories: Canada
Tags: Study Abroad