December 17th, 2023 at 12:09 am
NO PGWP Extension & Citizenship Path for Undocumented Immigrants | IRCC
In Canada’s dynamic immigration scene, what happens to people whose post-graduate work Permits (PGWPs) are about to expire is a matter of great concern. The complexities of negotiating through this crucial moment necessitate consideration and thoughtful decision-making.
Moreover, the declaration made recently by Canada proposing the creation of a citizenship pathway for undocumented immigrants brings an interesting dimension to the conversation. In this update, we explore the alternatives open to individuals whose PGWP is about to expire as well as the wider ramifications of Canada’s pledge to give undocumented residents access to Citizenship Avenue.
Canada to create citizenship path for undocumented immigrants
A vast and all-encompassing initiative that would enable a large number of illegal individuals to seek permanent residency is being planned by Canada. Mark Miller, the nation’s minister of immigration, recently disclosed. The declaration supports Canada’s aggressive immigration goals, which included the goal of bringing in 500,000 newcomers year by 2025.
Immigration has been the primary source of the nation’s population growth, which has fueled economic expansion. Between 300,000 and 600,000 migrants are thought to have entered the nation illegally in recent years. Due to their lack of official status, many of them run the possibility of being deported.
“The new program would also include people who enter the country legally as temporary workers or international students and then remained here after their visas expired,” Miller was reported as saying by The Global and Mail. According to the report, Miller clarified that individuals who lack proper documentation, even those who have just entered the nation, will not be able to petition for permanent status.
In the spring, he intends to forward a proposal to the cabinet that would permit undocumented immigrants to obtain legal status. The report also stated that the government announced last month that it will cease increasing immigration after 2026 and maintain immigration targets for the following two years in the face of the housing crisis and high inflation.
Canada plans to add 465,000 new residents this year, 485,000 in 2024, and 500,000 in 2025. By 2026, it hopes to sustain this number through Express Entry.
What are your options if your PGWP is expiring on December 7?
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) made several announcements about Canada’s program for international students. Among these, the agency has stated that Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) holders will not be eligible for any further extensions. In recent years, the IRCC has extended PGWP work permits three times.
It presented The measure that permitted PGWP holders to continue working in Canada when the COVID-19 pandemic caused interruptions to the labor market and during the post-pandemic recovery. The measure was three times extended, with the most recent one taking place on April 6, despite IRCC facing processing problems and pausing Express Entry draws.
An 18-month extension is granted to PGWP holders whose permits expire on or before December 31, 2023, as an open work permit. PGWP holders whose permits expire on or before December 31 are still eligible for the extension, according to the IRCC. PGWP, which permits foreign students to remain in Canada and find employment after completing their degree
Depending on how long the candidate’s academic program is, the permit may be valid for up to three years. If there are no special extensions, it is not renewed. 98,000 PGWP holders obtained permanent residency status in 2022. This amounted to about 82% of all temporary residents who changed their status to permanent that year.
In addition, the IRCC projected that 268,000 PGWP holders would exist in Canada in 2023 and that 127,000 permits would expire when the 2022 data was made public.
How does this impact Express Entry candidates?
One of the most well-liked routes for PGWP holders seeking permanent residency status in Canada is Express Entry. The expiration of the extensions may worry a lot of them. Candidates without an Invitation to Apply (ITA) who have an expired PGWP may soon lose their ability to work in Canada when their PGWP expires.
Some PGWP holders in the express entry pool are under more pressure as a result of the recent inexplicable halt in draws for Express Entry, which occurred from October 26 to December 6. This is because they are unable to apply for permanent resident status or maintain status while the IRCC processes their application without an ITA.
Three draws were held by IRCC between December 6 and December 8. Nevertheless, two of those drawings were category-based selection draws for applicants who had worked in STEM fields (5,900) and those who could speak French (1,000 ITAs). 4,750 candidates were invited to the all-program draw on December 6th, with a comprehensive ranking system score of 561, higher than in previous all-program draws.
What to do if your PGWP is expiring?
In this case, candidates for Express Entry have several ways to remain in Canada while they await the IRCC’s final judgment on their application. Nevertheless, they can demand that an applicant cease working while they await an ITA and the IRCC’s processing of their application.
1. Visitor Record
Applying for a visitor record at least 30 days before the expiration of your PGWP will allow you to remain in Canada. An IRCC visitor record is normally good for six months, though this can change depending on the circumstances.
2. Apply for another work permit
While they wait to be drawn for an Express Entry, candidates may also apply for a new work visa. Those who want to continue working might look into their choices for a new kind of open work permit, however, it takes time and costs extra.
3. Labor Market Impact Assessment
To acquire a closed work permit, candidates may also want to seek their employer to obtain a Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). This means that even when they are not allowed to work for another employer, the permit holder will be able to continue working in Canada.
4. If you already submitted a PR application
You might be able to apply for a bridging open work permit if you have previously filed your application for permanent residence but have not heard back from the IRCC on it. This permits a PR candidate to stay employed in Canada pending the IRCC’s ultimate determination. This pertains to individuals who have submitted applications via economic immigration schemes, including Express Entry, the Provincial Nominee Program, the Agri-Food Pilot Program, and Quebec skilled workers.
Post-graduation work Permit holders find themselves at a crossroads, wondering what to do next in their Canadian journey since time is running out. The variety of alternatives open to individuals whose PGWP is about to expire necessitates carefully weighing particular circumstances about immigration pathways.
Furthermore, Canada’s progressive initiative to offer undocumented immigrants a path to citizenship demonstrates the country’s dedication to compassionate and inclusive immigration laws. The future of immigration to Canada seems to be positioned for both greater societal integration and personal empowerment as we work through these conflicting narratives.