December 18th, 2023 at 02:26 am
Options For Expired Post-Graduation Work Permit Holders in Canada
The IRCC announced modifications to Canada’s overseas student program on December 7. Notably, no additional extensions will be granted to expired PGWP holders, necessitating a reconsideration of available options. Investigate the choices open to expired PGWP holders in Canada.
The IRCC has extended PGWP permits three times in recent years due to COVID-19-related delays and post-pandemic recovery. These extensions permitted PGWP holders to continue working during the IRCC’s processing delays and Express Entry draw pauses.
The most recent extension, effective April 6, is for PGWP holders whose permits expire on or before December 31, 2023. An 18-month open work permit is given.
The IRCC emphasizes that PGWP holders who have licenses that expire on December 31 are still eligible for an extension.
PGWPs, which typically have a validity period of up to three years depending on the length of the academic program, allow international students to work and stay in Canada after graduation. In general, authorities cannot renew these permits unless an exceptional circumstance justifies an extension.
In 2022, a total of 98,000 PGWP holders became permanent residents, accounting for more than 82% of all temporary residents who became permanent residents that year.
When its 2022 figures were released, the IRCC anticipated that there would be around 268,000 PGWP holders in Canada by 2023. Furthermore, 127,000 PGWP permits were expected to expire in 2023. These numbers provide valuable insight into PGWP’s substantial contribution to the smooth transition of temporary visitors to permanent residents of Canada. Keep up with these developments to gain a complete understanding of the immigration scene.
What does this mean for candidates in the Express Entry system?
PGWP holders who are interested in becoming permanent residents of Canada might consider applying through the Express Entry program. There is a possibility that candidates, particularly those who are still waiting for an ITA, will become anxious as the expiration dates of the PGWP extensions draw closer.
Individuals who have a PGWP that is about to expire but have not yet received an ITA run the danger of having their permission to work in Canada revoked. PGWP holders who are enrolled in the Express Entry pool are experiencing additional stress as a result of the recent, unexplained suspension of drawings for the program, which took place from October 26 to December 6. They are unable to submit an application for or maintain their status while the IRCC processes their application if they do not have an interview transcript. In light of this particular situation, it is essential to remain current on any modifications that have been made to the Express Entry procedure in order to successfully navigate both obstacles and opportunities in the process of obtaining permanent residence in Canada.
There were three lotteries held by the IRCC between the dates of December 6 and December 8. It is interesting to note that two of these attract applicants who are proficient in French (1,000 ITAs) and have previous experience working in STEM areas (5,900 ITAs). Candidates with a CRS score of 561 were asked to participate in the all-program draw that took place on December 6. This represents a significant increase in comparison to previous all-program draws.
What should you do if your PGWP is going to run out?
In this instance, Express Entry candidates have several options for remaining in Canada until the IRCC issues a final decision. However, candidates should be aware that they may have to put their work on hold during the ITA waiting period and while the IRCC processes their applications.
Visitor Documentation
In the event that you decide to remain in Canada after the expiration of your PGWP, you will be required to submit an application for a visitor record.
You should start this process at least thirty days before the expiration of your PGWP, as this is the suggested time frame. The standards that were developed by the IRCC state that the validity term of a visitor record is normally equivalent to six months; however, this can differ depending on the particulars of each and every situation that is being considered.
Make a new work permit application
Individuals have the option of applying for a new work permit while they are waiting for an Express Entry draw; however, this process costs additional time and money thus it is not recommended for those who are in this situation. People who are looking for long-term employment may wish to research the possibility of acquiring an Open Work Permit. This is something that these individuals should consider.
Individuals who are interested in acquiring a closed work permit may also take into consideration the potential of requesting that their company do a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). This is an option that may be considered. There is a possibility that you will continue to work in Canada; however, as a consequence of this, your ability to work for other companies will be limited.
If your application for PR has already been submitted
In the case that you have previously submitted an application for permanent residency and are now waiting for a response from Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), you may be eligible for a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) if your application for permanent residency has already been submitted. During the time that they are waiting for a decision from Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), individuals who are applying for permanent residency are permitted to continue working in their home country. The Agri-Food Pilot Program, Quebec Skilled Workers, Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), and Express Entry are all examples of economic immigration programs that are eligible to be pursued by applicants who have submitted their applications through these programs.
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