It’s been a tough experience for post-graduate work permit (PGWP) holders to find employment during multiple lockdowns and emergency states set in Canada throughout 2020 and the beginning of 2021. COVID-19 consequences inevitably jeopardized the ability of current and former international students to obtain the work experience required to apply for Permanent Residence.

That was the ground for the Canadian Government to issue amendments to the policy that regulates international students’ immigration experience. In order to support recent graduates who hold or held PGWP, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced that this category of future immigrants now have the unique opportunity to apply for another open work permit, which never happened before because, as you may know, the post-graduate work permit is issued only once in a lifetime.

What are the eligibility criteria?

• you have a PGWP that expired on or after January 30, 2020
• you have a PGWP that will expire in 4 months or less from the date you apply
• you are still physically in Canada
• you have a valid temporary status or are applying to restore your status

When to apply?

The applications will be accepted by IRCC starting from January 27, 2021, to July 27, 2021.

Source: Government of Canada