The Honourable Marco E. L. Mendicino, Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (IRCC), has recently made an announcement:
Former international students who hold or held a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) will have a unique opportunity to apply for another open work permit.
Those affected by the pandemic with an expired or expiring PGWP will be have the chance to apply for another open work permit that will
- be valid for 18 months
- allow former international students to continue to seek employment and build their future in Canada
“Our message to international students and graduates is simple: we don’t just want you to study here, we want you to stay here.”
— The Honourable Marco E. L. Mendicino, P.C., M.P., Minister of IRCC
To apply for an open work permit under the public policy, an applicant must
- have a PGWP that expired on or after January 30, 2020, or a PGWP that expires in 4 months or less from the date they apply
- still be in Canada
- have a valid temporary status, or be applying to restore their status
Applications will be open from January 27 to July 27, 2021. Details on how to apply will be added to IRCC’s website on January 27, 2021.
Learn the background of this new public policy here: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/2021/01/government-of-canada-announces-new-policy-to-help-former-international-students-live-in-work-in-and-continue-contributing-to-canada.html
