PGWP Extension To Retain High-Skilled Talent – IRCC Announced
PGWP extension is now available for foreign nationals with post-graduation work permits that are about to expire so that they can work in Canada for extended periods. International graduates from DLIs can obtain an open work permit through the PGWP program to work in Canada.
Starting on April 6, graduates holding a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) that has recently expired or is about to expire may be eligible for an additional PGWP extension to allow them to remain in Canada and obtain employment for up to 18 months. Over 127,000 post-graduation work permits are now due to expire in 2023.
Many talented individuals can keep their jobs thanks to the change. Also, it will give them more time to apply for permanent residency, allowing them to stay and work in Canada and eventually seek permanent residency.
Why Canada extends PGWP?
According to Statistics Canada, Canada’s labour force growth rate has been dropping since 2000. Still, the trend has gotten worse as baby boomers, the country’s largest generation born between 1946 and 1964, start to age and leave the workforce in increasing numbers.
Between 2016 and 2021, more than 1.4 million Canadians entered the 55 and older population, according to StatCan. One in five Canadians aged 55 to 64 working in 2022 represented an all-time high in the history of the Canadian census. Canada had over a million open positions by the second quarter of that year.
To meet Canada’s labour crisis, talented and skilled international graduates are essential, and those nearing the end of their post-graduation work permit have already assimilated successfully into the Canadian labour market. The additional work visa will enable qualified candidates to continue supporting the Canadian economy, gain significant work experience, and prepare to apply for permanent residency.
In addition, during this economic development and recovery, employers have tremendous difficulties locating and keeping the needed employees. With these new temporary measures, PGWP holders who remain longer can participate in a facilitative process to extend their work permit, helping Canada retain highly talented workers.
Who can apply for pgwp extension 2023?
Graduates from DLI schools whose work permits have expired in 2023 may also apply for an additional 18-month work permit. Additionally, those who qualified for the 2022 post-graduation work permit facilitative measure can apply for an additional 18 months by extending their work permit or applying for a new one. This policy change allowed foreign nationals whose permits expired between September 20, 2021, and December 31, 2022.
They will be given a temporary work permit while their new application is processed. Even after the 90-day restoration window, individuals with expired work permits can restore their status.
Is the PGWP extension open?
Typically, a PGWP cannot be extended. Post-graduation work permits are a one-time chance for international students. These students must have completed a PGWP-eligible program at an approved educational facility (DLI).Â
Under the most recent policy update, foreign graduates with expired work permits can regain their status even if they have passed the 90-day restoration window. While their application is being processed, applicants are permitted to work. Holders of post-graduation work permits are not required to leave the country when their licences expire.
Because of significant difficulties in the immigration process during the epidemic, the federal government announced similar PGWP extensions in 2021 and 2022.
Before this new policy, Individuals had to change to visitor visas but were not employed while holding that status. After receiving a genuine job offer, applying for a closed work permit is another choice. The disadvantage is that by doing this, a person’s immigration status is linked to their company, making it more difficult for them to change occupations.
How to apply for a PGWP extension under this policy?
The eligible post-graduation work permit holders for the facilitative process will shortly get notifications instructing them to use their online IRCC Secure Account, which they can use to opt-in and update critical personal data, on April 6, 2023.
The facilitative approach employed in 2022 caused problems for some PGWP holders, which IRCC is aware of. We are using the knowledge we gained from that approach to implement a similar one. Anybody who qualified for the 2022 initiative can apply for an open work permit and regain their status under the new public policy. On the IRCC website, application instructions will be made accessible in the upcoming weeks.
Admissions of Permanent Residents with PGWP Status 2021-2023
Graduates from abroad are a significant source of potential permanent residents. Each year, tens of thousands successfully transition to permanent residency, including approximately 95,000 in 2022 and a record-breaking total of over 157,000 in 2021.Â
With a valid post-graduation work permit, more than 286,000 foreign graduates were in Canada at the end of 2022. Roughly 67,000 PGWP holders have already sought permanent residency, so they won’t need to renew their work permits through this policy when their 127,000 post-graduation work permits expire in 2023.
Pathway for Permanent Residency for PGWP holders
1-Through Express Entry (Federal Economic class)
You may have heard about Express Entry, Canada’s primary economic immigration system.
Since Express Entry was introduced in 2015, the system has given some advantages to international students who completed studies in Canada. Express Entry favours young candidates with Canadian work and study practice and language ability, giving students and graduates in Canada an excellent chance of obtaining permanent residence. The most substantial change was the addition of up to 30 points in the CRS score for those who have completed a Canadian post-secondary educational credential.
Canadian Experience Class
Suppose you’re looking for a standard route to permanent residence in Canada for international students and graduates. In that case, a path already travelled by many of your peers — look no further than the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). This immigration program allows individuals who have worked in Canada for at least one year to immigrate permanently.
After graduating in Canada and getting a post-graduation work permit, knuckle down and complete a year of skilled work, prove your language ability through a recognized test, and enter the Express Entry pool. If you don’t have enough CRS points to get an invitation to apply soon after, see our tips on improving your CRS score.
Federal Skilled Worker Class
Another way to enter the Express Entry pool is as a skilled federal worker (FSWP). Essentially, you have to score at least 67 points on a grid that assesses age, language ability, work experience, whether or not you have a job offer in Canada, and certain adaptability factors, including the previous study in Canada. This may be the route for you if you haven’t completed a year of skilled workers in Canada but have done so abroad.
There is also a third Express Entry program, the Federal Skilled Trades Class (FSTC), for qualified tradespersons.
2-Through Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)
Like the federal government, Canada’s provinces also want international students and graduates to stay If Express Entry is not an option for you now or soon, or if you are struggling to meet the CRS cut-off thresholds in Express Entry draws, you should consider the PNPs.
When considering permanent residence in Canada for international students and graduates through the PNPs, please consider the province you graduated from and the province you want to live and work in. Some areas may allow you to apply even if you graduated in another province, while others restrict applications to those who graduated there. Most provinces have the International Graduate Stream, High or Semi-Skilled Workers, and express entry stream. Some require the applicant to have a job offer, and some do not.
Hi, I applied to renew my open work visa, but it got refused, and it’s past the 90 days. Now, I am out of status. I applied for PR but didn’t know how long it would take. How can I remain in Canada? Thanks
Given the complexity of your legal immigration questions, we recommend scheduling an appointment with our Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) for accurate and personalized advice. His expertise will provide you with the necessary guidance for your specific situation. You can choose your preferred time for the appointment on the link below:
https://arnikavisa.com/book-a-consult/
After one year of experience with 612 points, I applied as a skilled worker in Manitoba, but my PGWP expired soon and is now on maintained status. Express entry CRS is 412 with a valid health care occupation-specific NOC code. I want help to get job offers from provinces like Alberta, etc. Please provide your guidelines for applying in Alberta or as you suggested.
Research Alberta’s Provincial Nominee Program (AINP) for eligibility. Network and search for jobs on Alberta-specific platforms. Reach out directly to employers, tailoring your application to match job requirements. Consult immigration professionals for guidance on AINP or other immigration pathways. Consider alternative programs like the Alberta Start-Up Visa Program For Foreign Entrepreneurs (Called Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream) for additional opportunities.