Open Work Permit Extensions Available for PGWP Holders Starting April 6, 2023
The Immigration Minister of Canada, Sean Fraser, along with Member of Parliament James Maloney, made an announcement today at Humber College in Etobicoke, Ontario. The announcement stated that eligible international student graduates with an expiring Post Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) can apply for an Open Work Permit (OWP) extension for up to 18 months. This extension will be available to all PGWP holders who had their permit expire in 2022 (and applied for an OWP extension last year) and those whose permit is set to expire in 2023.
This announcement is significant for Canadian immigration, as the PGWP is becoming a crucial part of the journey to permanent residence for many international students. With this extension, permit holders will be able to continue contributing to the Canadian economy while gaining the work experience required for an eventual transition to permanent residence in Canada.
According to Statistics Canada data released in 2022, uptake of the PGWP increased by more than six times over the ten years ending in 2018. In 2008, the annual number of new PGWP holders was 10,300. By 2018, this number had grown to 64,700.
