IRCC has introduced a new policy that will allow former international students to apply for an open work permit if their current work permit is about to expire. The applications are being accepted as of January 27, 2021, which will help former PGWP holders in Canada to gather the experience they need to qualify with the requirements of permanent residence.
The candidates whose PGWP has been expired on or after January 30, 2020, and are still living in Canada will now have a six-month to apply for an Open Work Permit. This will help the former international students to remain in Canada and still explore for work. In Employer-Specific Work Permit, an international foreign worker is bound with a single employer in Canada whereas an open work permit allows foreign workers to work for any employer in Canada whichever they choose. The online application submission is open from January 27, 2021, to July 27, 2021.
What are the requirements of an open work permit under the new policy?
The international students who want to apply for an open work permit must meet the following requirements:
- The PGWP must have been expired on or after January 30, 2020, or can be expired in 4 months or less from the date of application.
- The candidate must be living in Canada from January 27, 2020.
- The applying candidate must have a valid passport.
- The candidate must have a valid status in Canada.
- In the application, candidates must include that they are applying for the Open Work Permit under this specific public policy.
IRCC offers the PGWP to international students to attract them and retain them as skilled workers in Canada. International students qualified from the Designated Learning Institutions (DLI) might qualify for Post Graduate Work Permit for up to 3 years.
Before Covid-19, the international students who studied in Canada between 8 months and 2 years are qualified for the PGWP with a duration of the same as their studies. While the students studying for more than 2 years or more will be qualified for 3 years of Post-Graduate Work Permit. Several changes have been made in the policies and requirements due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Where major change allows students to forcibly study remotely even from their home country and still they will be eligible for the PGWP.
Obtaining a PGWP provides international student graduates with the chance to appear for and secure employment across Canada from any employer of their choice. All the years of work experience they gained in Canada will then be used towards gaining permanent residence in Canada.
The skilled worker immigration pathways of Canada highly valued the education and work experience gained in Canada which includes the programs like Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), Quebec Experience Program and many other pathways. In the Express Entry program, the applicants will be scored with extra points in the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) for their Canadian study and work experience.
According to Ottawa, international students contribute $21 billion to Canada’s economy every year. Whereas the Canadian Federal Government considers them as blue-chip candidates for permanent residence because they are young, have Canadian education, Canadian Work experience, language skills and knowledge of Canadian lifestyle and culture. In 2019, IRCC granted permanent residency status to more than 58,000 international students. IRCC also mentioned that up to 52,000 former international students will be qualified under this new policy.
