In September 2024 the Canadian government extended the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) for two years. This policy helps the international graduates to get the important working experience which is useful if they want to apply for a permanent resident status in Canada. This is intended to keep the talented employees while trying to solve the issues of shortage of workers in specific areas of the economy.
Main Facts Related to the 2-Year Extension
The extension affects the PGWP holders whose permits will be expiring in 2024 as well as the ones that have expired but meet given conditions. Holders of new work permits or having pending work permit applications are also allowed including international graduates. This policy is effective until December 31, 2024, indeed it will be a perfect chance for graduates to get more work experience in Canada.
What is the PGWP?
The Post-Graduation Work Permit enables the graduates from certain Canadian learning institutions to work in Canada after graduating. Generally, valid for a maximum of 3 years, the PGWP assists the foreign students to get the initial work experience in Canada, which is crucial for apps like Express Entry and PNP.
Previously, most of the international students could not qualify for PR before their work permits expired and hence been compelled to leave Canada. Giving them an extra two years affords them with more time to be in practice thus amassing the required experience for PR.
The eligibility criteria for the Extension are as follows-
- International graduates should apply using a PGWP which will expire in 2024.
- They also qualify if their PGWP has expired but they apply for a new work permit or to restore their status.
- This policy applies to in process applications to get extension of permits.
Required documents which are required from the applicants include employment letter. Supporting letters from the provincial government may also be necessary for the applicants who intend to apply through the PNP
Why is This Extension Important?
The PGWP is in fact a significant route through which many international students obtain the permanent resident status. Some categories, such as the Canadian Experience Class, exist for persons with work experience in Canada; the extension enables graduates to accumulate experience necessary for these kinds of programs. As it can be seen, graduating without the extension means that majority of these people will be in limbo and if they are unable to get PR, they would be forced to leave the country.
The policy also helps the economy of Canada as highly skilled workers are encouraged to remain in employment sectors that currently have high demands for workers for instance the health department, engineering department, and technology departments among others. These changes are a response to the issues that international students have with the limitation of their immigration policies and their wish to know their way to PR.
Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP)
It is important to note that provinces have an active and significant part in the realization of the PGWP extension. Even as provinces admit PGWP holders under the Provincial Nominee Programs, they can issue letters of support meant for the issuance of work permits. This enable the provinces to develop appropriate policy in a way that will retain international graduates in industries that is hard for them to find workers.
