Applying for an Open Work Permit with an Expiring PGWP: A Step-by-Step Guide
Starting April 6, 2023, select current and former Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) holders may qualify for an 18-month Open Work Permit, allowing them to work in any occupation and for any employer in Canada. Detailed information is available on the IRCC’s website, with the application period open until December 31, 2023.
Eligible candidates can access simplified processes for extending their work permits or applying for new ones. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has already emailed potential beneficiaries, and they must apply before May 20, 2023.
To be eligible for the simplified process, applicants must reside in Canada and log into their IRCC Secure Account to update mailing addresses, confirm up-to-date passport information, and opt for an additional 18 months. Registration for an IRCC Secure Account and linking the recent PGWP application is necessary for those without an account by May 20, 2023.
The Open Work Permit extension, announced by Canada’s Immigration Minister Sean Fraser in March, is a special public policy aimed at helping Canadian employers address labour shortages and providing PGWP holders more time to potentially transition to permanent residence. PGWPs, generally non-renewable, enable eligible international graduates to work in Canada for up to three years after completing their studies.
The duration of a PGWP depends on the length of the program completed by the international graduate, and these permits are popular because they help bolster eligibility for Canadian permanent residence. Many economic class immigration programs like Express Entry and the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) offer more points or dedicated streams for those with Canadian experience.
In 2022, Canada hosted a record 800,000 international students, with nearly 98,000 PGWP holders transitioning to permanent residence, making up approximately 82% of all temporary residents who transitioned. As of the end of 2022, there were over 286,000 PGWP holders in Canada, with the IRCC estimating that about 127,000 permits will expire in 2023. However, around 67,000 PGWP holders have already applied for permanent residence and will not need to apply for a new Open Work Permit under this policy measure.
