On December 7, significant updates were announced by Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) concerning the program for international students in Canada.
In recent years, IRCC has thrice provided extensions to the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) program. This initiative was initially launched in response to the labor market upheavals due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath. It was designed to allow PGWP holders to continue their employment in Canada amidst delays in processing and the suspension of Express Entry draws.
This policy was renewed three times, with the most recent extension being on April 6, targeting PGWP holders whose permits are due to expire by December 31, 2023. This extension grants an open work permit valid for 18 months.
IRCC confirms that those with PGWPs expiring by December 31 are still eligible for this extension.
PGWPs are permits that enable international graduates to work in Canada after completing their studies.
Typically, a PGWP is valid for up to three years, depending on the duration of the graduate's academic program. Except for these special extensions, the permit is non-renewable.
In 2022, about 98,000 individuals with PGWPs attained permanent residency, accounting for nearly 82% of all temporary residents who transitioned to permanent residency that year.
Furthermore, data from 2022 indicated that by 2023, there would be around 268,000 PGWP holders in Canada, with about 127,000 permits set to expire.
Express Entry remains a favored route for PGWP holders seeking permanent residency in Canada. Many are concerned about their future in Canada as the PGWP expiration nears and the extensions come to an end.
Those in the Express Entry pool whose PGWPs are expiring and who have not yet received an Invitation to Apply (ITA) may soon find themselves ineligible to work in Canada. The unexpected halt in Express Entry draws from October 26 to December 6 has added stress for some PGWP holders, as without an ITA, they cannot proceed with permanent residency applications or maintain their status while waiting for IRCC's decision.
Between December 6 and 8, IRCC conducted three draws. Two were category-specific for candidates proficient in French (1,000 ITAs) and for those with STEM work experience (5,900 ITAs).
The general draw on December 6 issued 4,750 invitations, with a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score requirement of 561, higher than recent general draws.
There are several options for Express Entry candidates in this predicament to remain in Canada while awaiting IRCC's decision. However, these may require candidates to temporarily cease working while they await an ITA and IRCC's processing of their application.
Visitor Record Option
Applying for a visitor record at least 30 days before the expiry of your PGWP allows you to stay in Canada. While this record is generally valid for six months, the duration can vary.
Securing Another Work Permit
Applicants can apply for a different type of work permit while awaiting an Express Entry draw.
While this process involves additional time and costs, those eager to continue working may explore options for another Open Work Permit.
Alternatively, applicants can request their employer to secure a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) for a closed work permit, which allows continued employment in Canada but restricts working for a different employer.
For Those Who Have Applied for Permanent Residency
If you have already filed for permanent residency but are awaiting a decision from IRCC, you might be eligible for a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP).
BOWPs permit PR candidates to keep working in Canada during the decision-making process. This is applicable to those who have applied through economic immigration pathways, including Express Entry, the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), the Quebec Skilled Workers program, or the Agri-Food Pilot Program.
