Owners of expiring PGWP are allowed to apply for renewal
IRCC has published instructions for those who have graduated from an educational institution in Canada and are worried about their work permit expiring.
On August 2, 2022, Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada released long-awaited explanations on how to apply for a new open work permit that would allow you to continue working in the country.
The text states that foreign nationals whose permit to work after graduation has expired or will expire between September 20, 2021 and December 31, 2022, will be able to work in Canada for another 18 months, either by renewing their permit or applying for a new one. Those who are currently in Canada will also be able to work in the interim while their permit is being renewed or a new one is being issued.
The Ministry has published detailed instructions for different categories of applicants:
- The post-graduation work permit expires October 2, 2022 to December 31, 2022, the address is current and the passport is valid until April 2024: nothing needs to be done, an updated work permit will be sent to the mailing address by mid-October.
- The post-graduation work permit expires October 2, 2022 through December 31, 2022, but you must update your address and/or passport validity: after receiving an email from the Department of Immigration, you will need to follow the attached instructions to notify you of the change of address. If the passport expiration date does not allow for an 18-month extension of the permit, the letter will arrive in September. The applicant will have 2 weeks to provide their new details, after which the work permit will arrive in the mail by mid-November.
- The work permit after graduation expires October 2, 2022 to December 31, 2022, with no option to renew the address or passport: Apply online at the Ministry's official website, where you can extend the permit until the expiration date or wait to apply until you receive a new document.
- The post-graduation work permit expires October 2, 2022 through December 31, 2022, but the department did not send an email: If the letter was not received by mid-September, then the applicant is not eligible for an extension of the permit under this program. However, it is possible to apply online.
- The post-graduation work permit has expired or will expire between September 20, 2021 and October 1, 2022: application is submitted online from August 2, 2022. If your temporary status has also expired, you must apply to reinstate your status at the same time.
All applications for work permits under this program must be submitted online by December 31, 2022.
