The Canadian government has again increased the validity of its Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) for the international graduates by two years. This announcement made on 27th August 2024 enables graduates to work extra time in the country to acquire working experience that is crucial when applying for PR. To most of the graduates, this extension is a necessity as it avails extra time to build robustness in the Canadian labor market.
Why This Matters
The PGWP is crucial for international graduates aspiring to get PR because Canadian work experience is desirable when applying for immigration through Express Entry and Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). With the extension, graduates are now being granted additional time to secure the working experience required in PR which means that PR candidates will not be forced to leave Canada because their permits will expire before they qualify for PR.
Eligibility
The Canadian government has specific eligibility criteria for the two-year PGWP extension:
1. Current PGWP Holders: Those that will expire before the end of the year 2024 will be considered.
2. Expired PGWPs: If your PGWP expired on or after May 7, 2024, you need not worry as you can even apply for the extension of your permit.
3. In-Process Applications: People who have already applied for a two-year extension can also qualify.
How to Apply
Certification documents are required and include a letter from the present employer while PNP type applications may require other documents. Provinces will back this program, endorsing the necessary letters for appropriate PGWP beneficiaries as and when required.
Impact on Canada’s Economy
This extension is advantageous to the graduates as well as the economy of the Canadian nation. Helping skilled graduate students to stay longer in Canada serve the purpose of filling any labor shortage while accelerating the growth of the economy and at the same time granting international students their PR. This policy is time-bound and will lapse at the end of the December 31 of the year 2024 hence graduates should apply now.
