Canada Extends Post-Graduation Work Permit Relief for International Students

In a significant move to support international students affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, Canada has extended a crucial relief measure that allows them to work in the country after completing their studies, even if they haven’t finished their courses within the country.

The Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has decided to prolong the distance learning measures, initially introduced due to the pandemic, with important implications for international students aspiring for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).

Extended Eligibility Guidelines

Under the extended guidelines, international students who have completed less than 50% of their PGWP-eligible studies outside of Canada will remain eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit until December 31, 2023.

This represents a significant departure from the pre-pandemic rules that required international students to ensure that no more than half of their studies were conducted online and that any time spent studying online outside of Canada did not count toward PGWP eligibility.

Temporary Removal of Online Study Restrictions

The global pandemic brought unprecedented challenges, including restrictions on international travel. To address these issues, the IRCC temporarily removed the online study restrictions for specific student categories:

Students Enrolled in PGWP-Eligible Programs in Progress in March 2020:

For students already enrolled in PGWP-eligible programs as of March 2020, any time spent studying online outside of Canada before August 31, 2022, can be considered 100% eligible toward their PGWP.

Students Commencing PGWP-Eligible Programs Between March 2020 and August 31, 2022:

Similarly, students who began their PGWP-eligible programs between March 2020 and August 31, 2022, can count the time spent studying online outside of Canada prior to August 31, 2022, as 100% eligible toward their PGWP.

However, for students who initiated their studies between September 1, 2022, and December 31, 2023, only 50% of their study time can be counted toward PGWP eligibility.

Key Exemptions

It’s essential to note that these measures, along with their recent extension, will not apply to students studying abroad after September 1, 2023, irrespective of when they began their studies.

Additionally, these rules do not cover students who enrolled in programs after August 31, 2022.

Supporting International Students

This extension of relief measures aims to provide continuous support to international students who have faced numerous challenges during the pandemic, allowing them to meet PGWP requirements.

However, it’s crucial for affected students to be aware of the specific timelines and eligibility criteria outlined by the IRCC to make the most of this opportunity.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for these temporary policy changes, known as “full facilitation measures,” under the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWPP), international students must meet one of the following requirements:

1. Have a study permit.
2. Have been approved for a study permit.
3. Have submitted a study permit application before beginning their program, which was eventually approved.

Furthermore, if a student spends time studying at a designated learning institution (DLI) while outside of Canada, that time begins to count toward the length of the PGWP only after the department receives the study permit application.

Therefore, time spent studying before IRCC received the study permit application should be deducted from the PGWP’s duration. It’s important to note that a PGWP is issued for a minimum of 8 months.

Consequently, if a student completes only 7 months of studies after their study permit application is received, they will not be eligible for a PGWP.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Canada’s decision to extend these relief measures provides a vital lifeline to international students grappling with the aftermath of the pandemic, offering them greater flexibility in achieving their academic and career goals within the country. Understanding the revised eligibility criteria is crucial for students wishing to capitalize on this opportunity for post-graduation employment in Canada.