Canada Extends Post-Graduation Work Permits: Faced with the challenge of getting workers in the country, Canada has decided to extend the post-graduation work permits of international graduates for another 18 months. This means that even international graduates with expired or expiring post-graduation work permits can apply to stay and work in Canada for another 18 months.
This announcement was made by the immigration minister of Canada, Honourable Sean Fraser on March 17, 2023. As per the announcements, international graduates that have recently expired or expiring post-graduation work permits (PGWP) will qualify to apply and extend their work permit to stay longer and gain additional work experience for up to 18 months.
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For those who don’t already know, the PGWP Program was designed to allow international graduates to obtain an open work permit to gain valuable work experience in Canada. The PGWP program validity is between 8 months and 3 years but starting April 6, 2023, PGWP holders who wish to stay longer can apply and get additional 18 months.
International graduates whose PGWP has already expired in 2023 and those who were eligible for the 2022 PGWP facilitative measure will also benefit from this new PGWP extension. Those with expired work permits who are even beyond the 90-day restoration period will be able to restore their status. IRCC will issue an interim work authorization to those with an expired work permit while awaiting the processing of their new work permit application.
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Canada has a labor shortage and talented and skilled international graduates play a vital role in addressing it. Truth is, those with PGWP are already well integrated into Canada’s labor market, so it makes sense to extend their PGWP. This is also an added opportunity for such people to prepare and apply for permanent residence in Canada.
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