Maple News reports that the Canadian government has introduced a temporary public policy giving former international students another opportunity to secure a work permit — a critical pathway toward permanent residency. This initiative comes in response to disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which left many recent graduates unable to accumulate the necessary Canadian work experience to qualify for immigration programs.
Effective January 8, 2021, individuals with Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWPs) that expired on or after January 30, 2020 or are set to expire within four months of applying, can apply for a new open work permit. This permit will be valid for up to 18 months, providing former students additional time to stay in Canada and continue working or seeking employment.
Unlike closed work permits that bind workers to a single employer, open work permits give the flexibility to work for any employer across Canada. This move aims to help thousands of former international students maintain legal status in the country and improve their prospects of transitioning to permanent residency.
To qualify, applicants must be in Canada at the time of application and either have valid temporary resident status or be applying to restore their status. The application window opened on January 27, 2021, and will remain open until July 27, 2021.
According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), an estimated 52,000 former international students could be eligible under this new policy. Of the 61,000 PGWP holders whose permits were set to expire in 2020, nearly half have already obtained or are in the process of applying for permanent residency.
This policy underscores Canada’s commitment to retaining international students as valuable members of its workforce. Graduates with Canadian credentials and work experience are viewed as well-positioned to integrate into society and succeed economically. The PGWP plays a key role in that process, enabling graduates to gain the work experience often required by immigration programs such as Express Entry, the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), and the Quebec Experience Program.
Surveys suggest that as many as 60% of international students aspire to become permanent residents after completing their studies. With the current extension, the Canadian government is helping many achieve this goal despite pandemic-related setbacks.
This update reflects the broader national strategy to attract and retain skilled international talent, especially in a post-pandemic economic recovery climate — a move that not only supports individual aspirations but also strengthens Canada’s labour market in the long term.