Good News for International Students- International students will get 2nd chance for Canadian work experience due to the pandemic COVID-19
Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino announced that International students who have failed to secure Canadian job experience due to the pandemic will be given another opportunity at meeting requirements for permanent residence.
On 08-Jan-2021, Ottawa will launch a temporary policy to allow international students with an expired or expiring post-graduate work permit to apply for a new permit that will be valid for 18 months. Applications will be open from 27-Jan-2021 till 27-Jul-2021
What is the new policy?
COVID-19 has presented an extremely great number of challenges for international students especially for the Post Graduate Work Permit holders (PGWP) so, in order to help, the Government of Canada announced a new policy to help former international students live in, work in, and continue contributing to Canada
The government has made significant efforts to
- encourage international students to settle permanently in Canada,
- as they help create jobs and
- fill labor shortages so our businesses can thrive.
How this policy helps Canada?
As we confront the pandemic’s second wave and chart a course for our recovery, attracting skilled immigrants is a central part of our plan.
This new policy will help more graduates fill pressing needs in areas like health care, technology and more. As we look forward, it will help even more former international students build their futures in Canada, contributing in ways large and small to our short-term recovery and long-term prosperity.
Why International Students?
- They bring strong employment and language skills,
- Bolstered by their Canadian education and work experience,
- They are typically well positioned to apply for permanent resident status.
- They are giving back to communities across Canada as we continue the fight against the pandemic.
- In 1971, there were 6.6 people of working age for each senior. There are currently 3 Canadian workers for every retired Canadian, but by 2035, there will be only 2 workers for every retiree. Without immigrants to help support the needs of an aging population, younger Canadians will end up paying more per person to provide the same benefits.
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada estimates that as many as 52,000 graduates with expired or expiring PGWPs could benefit from the public policy. Of nearly 61,000 PGWP holders whose work permit had an expiry date between January and December 2020, about half either have already become permanent residents or have a permanent residence application in processing.
Who can apply?
Foreign nationals in Canada
- must have a valid temporary status, or be applying to restore their status and
- Who held a PGWP that expired on or after January 30, 2020, or
- Whose PGWP is expiring or expires in 4 months or less from the date they apply
How to apply?
- 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
- 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
When can we apply?
- Applications will be open from January 27 to July 27, 2021.
Validity of Work Permit
These will be valid for 18 months and allow former international students to remain in Canada, continue to seek employment, build their future in this country, and apply for permanent residence.
Contact Us today to evaluate your profile and find your eligibility.