Holders of expiring PGWP can apply for an 18-month Open Work Permit. This will be applicable to existing and former Post-Graduation Work Permit holders from April 6, 2023.
The IRCC official website will be able to provide detailed information regarding this. Also, the application window will not close until December 31, 2023. The advantage of obtaining an OWP is for individuals who must be able to work for a specific employer or application in Canada for an 18-month period.
According to IRCC, the candidates with eligibility for the above will have the right to do the following:
- With regard to their work permit extension, they can choose a simplified process.
- Apply for a work permit extension.
- They can submit a fresh work permit application or an application for their status restoration.
Although a candidate isn’t eligible to choose it, they might still be able to proceed with the work permit application.
Eligibility for a simplified work permit extension- what is the process for candidates?
Recently IRCC emailed specific eligible candidates who were found eligible for work permit extension through a simplified process. Also, IRCC has recently observed that individuals will need to act before May 20 this year and apply before the expiry of their work permits.
Those who seek eligibility for a simplified process must adhere to the following requirements:
- Stay in Canada.
- Make sure that they log in to their secure account of IRCC.
- Ensure that the mailing address is updated and not an older one.
- Update all the essential passport information.
- The passport must hold an expiry date of June 2025 or beyond that.
- Choose to remain in the extension period of an 18-month duration.
Those candidates who don’t possess an account will be required to create a new secure IRCC account. Moreover, they must ensure that they link their PGWP application to their IRCC secure account before the deadline of May 20, 2023.
Holders of expiring PGWP can apply for an OWP extension
Canadian Immigration Minister claimed in March that IRCC would support eligible previous and current PGWP holders to get a fresh Open Work Permit. According to the usual norm, PGWP is not a renewable permit. This further indicates that candidates who hold expiring PGWP will either find a means to reside in Canada or depart from the country forever.
However, Fraser states that the special public policy aims to assist Canadian employers nationwide. This way, they will be able to gain help to combat the current labor shortages. Moreover, PGWP holders will also get some more time to shift to Permanent Residence in Canada.
Once these PGWP holders complete their Canadian education, they will acquire the opportunity to gain Canadian work experience for a period of three years. This only applies to eligible international graduates through PGWP.
The total length of PGWP will rely on the program’s length after the international graduate completes it. Additionally, PGWPs have gained prominence because they offer a chance to international graduates to solidify their Canadian PR. Most Canadian programs under the economic immigration class offer candidates greater opportunities if they demonstrate Canadian work experience.
The Statistics Canada research also reflects that their experience encourages labor market integration after acquiring Canadian Permanent Residence. Furthermore, this indicates the reason behind Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Programs, and other economic programs tend to offer more points to those with work experience in Canada.
In 2022, Canada brought forth 800,000 international students. Also, nearly 98,000 PGWP holders shifted toward PR. Also, this accounts for 82 percent of TRs who shifted to PR.
IRCC also observed more than 286,000 PGWP holders prevailing in Canada in 2022. This observation was a part of the special policy initiative last month.
The immigration department also claims that nearly 127,000 PGWPs will expire this year. Out of which, 67,000 PGWP holders have applied for PR in Canada. Therefore, they will not need an OWP under the special policy initiative.
