PGWP Extensions 18 Months Relax Due to Covid-19 Interruptions

[Jasnoor]

I am working with a restaurant as a Food Service Supervisor since January 2020 on a PGWP. I have done one year of Food Media program in Canada and resultantly I received one year of Work permit which is valid till March 2021. I was all prepared for express entry under CEC, but due to Covid-19, my work got effected. I was on lay-off by my restaurant for almost five months which caused delay in completing my one year of work experience in Canada. Is there any way, I can extend my PGWP in order to complete my work experience to apply for express entry?

[Bavneet (Admin)]

Yes. The Government of Canada has announced a new policy to help former international students to live in, work in and continue contributing to Canada. Under this policy, you can be eligible to get an extension of 18 months of PGWP in Canada. To be eligible for this open work permit, you must meet the following 5 requirements:

1. Your post-graduation work permit (PGWP) is expired on or after January 30, 2020, or will expire within 4 months from the date you apply for this open work permit.

2. You were in Canada as of January 27, 2021, when the public policy took effect, and have stayed in Canada since then.

3. You either

have a temporary resident status (this could be from having a valid PGWP, visitor record, or another permit that allows you to stay in Canada), or

lost your temporary resident status, but you’ve already applied to restore it, or

lost your temporary resident status, but you’ll apply to restore it at the same time as applying for this open work permit

4. You include in your application that you’re applying for an open work permit under this public policy.

5. You have a valid passport.

The work permit will be issued for up to 18 months from the date of approval or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. For example, if your passport is valid for 6 months, then you will be issued an open work permit for 6 months.

To maximize the duration of the open work permit, make sure your passport is valid for at least 18 months from the date of approval.

For this open work permit, you must apply online by July 27, 2021.