Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is implementing measures for former international students with expired or expiring post-graduation work permits (PGWP) and for temporary resident to permanent resident pathway applicants. Eligible individuals will have the opportunity to continue to work in Canada by either extending their work permit or applying for a new one.
Key Highlights
- Individuals whose PGWP expires after October 2, 2022, who hold a valid passport through April 2024, have maintained a current address with IRCC, and receive an email from IRCC between now and mid-September will have the new PGWP permit issued to them automatically.
- Others, depending on their situation (see below), may have to apply proactively for the extension (and possibly restoration).
- Starting August 8, 2022, individuals with PGWP that have expired or will expire from September 20, 2021, to December 31, 2022, will receive an email indicating they are allowed to work in the interim.
- All work permit applications for this policy must be submitted online by December 31, 2022.
What to Expect
IRCC will offer a one-time, 18-month PGWP extension for those whose PGWP expired or will expire from September 20, 2021, to December 31, 2022.
- Individuals whose PGWP expired or will expire from September 20, 2021, to October 1, 2022, must apply online for a work permit. Applications opened on August 2, 2022. If they are in Canada and their temporary status has also expired, they must apply to restore their status simultaneously. Under the provisions of this extension, individuals are allowed to restore their status, even if it expired more than 90 days ago. Individuals may also apply abroad if they have left Canada and return after being approved.
- Individuals whose PGWP expires from October 2, 2022, to December 31, 2022, whose address is up to date and passport is valid through April 2024, can ignore the address email confirmation from IRCC, and an updated work permit will be sent to their mailing address by mid-October.
- Individuals whose PGWP expires from October 2, 2022, to December 31, 2022, but need to update their address and/or passport validity will receive instructions by email in September on how to update their mailing address and passport validity in their online account. They will have a 2-week window to do so. Then, if this information is updated, they will receive an updated work permit in the mail by mid-November.
- Individuals whose PGWP expires from October 2, 2022, to December 31, 2022, but cannot update their address or passport validity need to apply online to extend their work permit. They can receive a work permit extended to their passport expiration date or wait to apply until they have renewed their passport.
- Individuals whose PGWP expires from October 2, 2022, to December 31, 2022 but are not contacted by IRCC by mid-September are not eligible for the extension through this process for another reason. However, they may still apply online to extend their work permit.
Work permits for applicants on the temporary resident to permanent resident pathways
Applicants who are part of the temporary resident to permanent resident (TR to PR) pathways and whose permanent residence application has not yet been finalized are eligible to apply for an open work permit. Those applying for an open work permit can receive one with an end date of December 31, 2024, provided their passport is valid through that date. This ensures they won’t lose their status or ability to work while they wait for their permanent residence application to be finalized.
Erickson Insights
This measure may significantly help prolong work authorization for an employee in Canada who is currently on a soon-to-expire PGWP. Erickson Immigration Group will factor this one-time extension into ongoing assessments as needed. More information about the extension and what to expect is available here.
Erickson Immigration Group will continue to share updates as more news is available. If you have questions about anything we’re reporting above or case-specific questions, please contact your employer or EIG attorney.