Retaining High-Skilled Talent: Canada’s New Measures for Post-Graduation Work Permits

On March 17th, 2023, The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced that international graduates with a recently expired or expiring post-graduation work permit (PGWP) will qualify for an additional or extended work permit to stay longer and gain additional work experience for up to 18 months. The extension of the PGWP Program is a great opportunity for international graduates who wish to gain valuable Canadian work experience and increase their chances of obtaining permanent residency in Canada. This announcement is great news for international students who are looking to build their careers in Canada. As an experienced immigration consultant who has dealth with work permit and permanent residency applications for more than 7 years, I can confidently say that the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) program is a valuable pathway for international graduates to gain Canadian work experience and increase their chances of obtaining permanent residency in Canada.

Employers are facing unprecedented challenges in finding and retaining the workers they need during this period of economic recovery and growth. The extension of the PGWP Program will provide employers with the opportunity to retain skilled workers who have already proven their worth in their organizations. By retaining international graduates who have gained valuable work experience in Canada, Canadian businesses can maintain their competitiveness in the global market. Additionally, employers can save time and money on recruiting and training new employees, as they can retain the knowledge and skills of existing employees.

International graduates who are eligible for the PGWP program can gain several benefits from it. Firstly, it provides them with an opportunity to gain valuable work experience in Canada, which can enhance their skills and make them more competitive in the Canadian job market. Secondly, it offers a clear pathway to permanent residency, which is a major incentive for international graduates who wish to stay and build their careers in Canada.

Another significant benefit of the PGWP program is that it allows international graduates to stay in Canada and work for up to 18 months, which can provide them with financial stability while they prepare their permanent residency application. This can be particularly helpful for international graduates who are not eligible for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) program, which requires a minimum of one year of skilled work experience in Canada.

The PGWP program is a program offered by the Canadian government that allows international students who have graduated from a Canadian post-secondary institution to stay and work in Canada for a specified period. This program is a valuable opportunity for international graduates who want to gain work experience in Canada, which can enhance their skills and make them more competitive in the Canadian job market. Additionally, the program offers a clear pathway to permanent residency, which is a major incentive for international graduates who wish to stay and build their careers in Canada.

To be eligible for the PGWP program, international graduates must have completed their studies at a designated learning institution (DLI) in Canada. They must also have a valid study permit when they apply for the PGWP and have completed a program of study that was at least 8 months long and led to a degree, diploma, or certificate. They must apply for the PGWP within 180 days of receiving written confirmation from their institution that they have met the requirements for completing their academic program.

It’s important to note that international graduates who have completed a program of study that is less than 8 months long are not eligible for the PGWP program. Furthermore, the extension of the PGWP program applies to international graduates who complete their studies after January 1, 2022. The extended PGWP program will not be retroactive, which means that international graduates who completed their studies before January 1, 2022, will not be eligible for the extended program.

Starting April 6, 2023, international graduates with recently expired or expiring PGWPs will have the opportunity to opt into a facilitative process to extend their work permit for up to 18 months. This will allow Canada to retain high-skilled talent and help address Canada’s labour shortage. Foreign nationals whose PGWP has already expired in 2023 and those who were eligible for the 2022 PGWP facilitative measure will also have the opportunity to apply for an additional 18-month work permit.

It’s important to note that a PGWP is typically not extendable, and PGWP holders who want to extend their stay in Canada as a worker are usually expected to apply for another type of work permit as their PGWP expires. However, the extension of the PGWP program provides international graduates with a valuable opportunity to gain additional work experience in Canada and increase their chances of obtaining permanent residency.

The additional work permit will allow eligible international graduates to continue contributing to the Canadian economy while gaining valuable work experience and preparing for the opportunity to apply for permanent residence. Talented and skilled international graduates play a vital role in addressing Canada’s labour shortage, and those nearing the end of their PGWP are already well integrated into Canada’s labour market. By allowing international graduates to stay in Canada for up to 18 more months, they can gain more work experience, improve their language skills, and further integrate into Canadian society. Additionally, the extended PGWP program provides a clear pathway to permanent residency, which is a major incentive for international graduates who wish to stay and build their careers in Canada.

PGWP holders who are eligible for the facilitative process will soon receive messages about logging into their online IRCC Secure Account, starting April 6, 2023, to opt-in and update key personal information. IRCC is aware of issues that some PGWP holders experienced with the facilitative process used in 2022, and lessons learned from that process have been applied as they implement a similar one. Instructions on applying will be available on IRCC’s website in the weeks ahead.

At the end of 2022, more than 286,000 international graduates were in Canada with valid post-graduation work permits, and about 127,000 PGWPs expire in 2023. However, about 67,000 PGWP holders have already applied for permanent residence and will not need to extend their work permit through this initiative. International graduates who wish to extend their work permit under this program must meet the eligibility criteria and apply within the designated timeline.

It’s important to note that the extended PGWP program is a valuable opportunity for international graduates, but the application process can be complex. It’s recommended to seek the guidance of an experienced immigration consultant to ensure that your application is complete and meets all requirements.

The extension of the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) program in Canada is great news for international students who are looking to build their careers in Canada. The program offers a valuable opportunity for international graduates to gain Canadian work experience, which can enhance their skills and make them more competitive in the Canadian job market. Additionally, the PGWP program offers a clear pathway to permanent residency, which is a major incentive for international graduates who wish to stay and build their careers in Canada.

I strongly recommend international students who are eligible for the PGWP program to apply for it as soon as possible. The program offers many benefits and can greatly increase your chances of staying in Canada permanently. If you’re an international student looking to work in Canada, don’t hesitate to contact me for guidance on your PGWP program application.

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