On January 8th, 2020, the Government of Canada announced that former international students who hold or held a Post Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) will have the opportunity to apply for an open work permit, which will be valid for 18 months. Applications will open on January 27th, 2021 till July 27th, 2021.
Canada appreciates the challenges facing international students during the pandemic and the risk of failing to meet the employment requirements needed to apply for permanent residency. Marco Mendicino, Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship explained that,
‘international students are giving back to communities across Canada as we fight against the pandemic. Their status may be temporary, but the contributions of international students are lasting. Our message to international students and graduates is simple: we don’t just want you to study here, we want you to stay here’
The Honourable Marco E. L. Mendicino, P.C., M.P., Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
In 2020, Canada welcomed around 650,000 international students. Since the pandemic, the Government has been implementing policies to assist students in maintaining their student status . Today’s announcement is a fair step towards protecting the immigration rights of international students and encouraging many around the world to choose Canadian universities.
Source: Government of Canada, ‘Government of Canada announces new policy to help former international students live in, work in and continue contributing to Canada’, Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada, January 8th, 2021.
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