Canadian PGWP holders can now apply for a new open work permit

As per the recent instructions released by Canada, certain Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) holders with expired permits can now apply for a new open work permit or extend the existing one. The update is applicable to those whose PGWP expires between 20th September 2021 and 31st December 2022.

The special measure was announced by Immigration Minister in April, but due to technical issues, they experienced delay in announcing further instructions.

IRCC stated, "Applicants may not apply for this work permit at a port of entry. All work permit applications for this public policy must be submitted online by December 31, 2022."

New measures will have an impact on applicants in following ways:

For those whose PGWP expires from 2nd October to 31st December 2022 and address is up to date with a validity of passport up to April 2024- 

• They will get IRCC's e-mail message to confirm their mailing address and their updated open work permit will be issued and sent to their mailing address by mid-October.

For those whose PGWP expires from 2nd October to 31st December 2022, but they haven't updated their address or passport validity-

• They will get IRCC's e-mail message to confirm their mailing address and must follow the instructions given to update their mailing address.

• In case their passport validity doesn’t allow 18 months work permit extension, they'll not get an initial e-mail, but a separate e-mail will be sent to them in September.

For those whose PGWP expires from 2nd October to 31st December 2022, but won’t be able to update their address or passport validity-

• They can apply online for work permit extension.

For those whose PGWP expires from 2nd October to 32st December 2022, but didn't received any e-mail from IRCC-

• If they don't hear anything from IRCC by mid-September, they will not qualify to for work permit extension via this special process for reason, like admissibility information added to their file that require further review. They may still apply online for their work permit extension.

For those whose PGWP expired or to expire from 20th September 2021, to 1st October 1-

• They must apply online for their work permit. Applications will open from 2nd August 2022. If they are in Canada and their temporary status is expired, they must apply for status restoration as well. Under the said special measures, they'll be allowed to restore their status, even if it expired over 90 days ago.

• They'll also qualify to apply from abroad if already left Canada and can return after approval.