BREAKING NEWS: PGWP holders can apply for a new open work permit. Post-graduate work permit extension portal is open and active now.
Finally, holders of expired or soon-to-be-expired post-graduate work permits (PGWP) can now extend their permits.
The instructions are relevant to you if your PGWP expires between September 20, 2021 and December 31, 2022.
PGWP holders whose permits have already expired, or will be expiring between Sept 20, 2021 and Oct. 2, 2022, will be able to apply online for an extension or a new permit lasting up to 18 months.
For those whose permits expire from Oct. 2 to Dec. 31, 2022, these individuals won’t need to do anything to get the 18-month extension unless they need to update their mailing address or passport validity.
IRCC also announced that it will send an email to PGWP holders with permits that have expired or will expire between Sept. 20, 2021 and Dec. 31, 2022, an email indicating that they are allowed to work in the interim while they apply for their extension or new permit.
Details on the PGWP extensions from IRCC
PGWPs are offered to former international students who have graduated from a Canadian post-secondary institution. Normally, these permits are valid for up to three years and are not renewable. Many international graduates have relied on PGWPs to gain Canadian work experience as a stepping stone to eventually apply for permanent residence.
The federal government made initial announcement about the PGWP extensions back in April and promised that a “simplified, expeditious process” to apply for an extension would be made available “in the weeks ahead.”
Normally, PGWP is given to a person once in lifetime. International student graduates of eligible full-time programs can get an open work permit for up to three years. This new public will allow eligible PGWP holders to extend their work permit or apply for a new Open Work Permit for an additional 18 months.
IRCC says you may not apply for this work permit at a port of entry. All work permit applications for this public policy must be submitted online by December 31, 2022.
The government had previously offered an extension to PGWP holders between January 2021 to July 2021 for those whose permits had expired after January 2020, or were set to expire within four months.
Contact our Experts for professional submission of your application.