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PROGRAM EXTENDING WORK PERMITS FOR ANOTHER 18 MONTHS ANNOUNCED

By Atty. Henry Moyal

Canada Immigration has just announced that current and past students with post graduate work permits (PGWP) that have expired or will be expiring between September 20, 2021, and December 31, 2022 are eligible for an automatic extension to work for up to 18 more months. All applications must be submitted by December 31, 2022.

In particular, the new policy will allow eligible PGWP holders and former PGWP holders, including those who have valid temporary resident status, to apply from inside of Canada for an open work permit. The permit will be valid for up to 18 months or until the applicant’s passport expires, whichever comes first.

To be eligible, the applicant must:

• have maintained temporary resident status or be eligible for restoration
• have requested consideration under this public policy and have indicated the duration of the work permit they are seeking in their application (maximum of 18 months)
• submit application online starting August 2, 2022
• pay processing fee of $155

Applicants currently in Canada will also have the ability to work in the interim period while their permit is being extended or a new one is being issued.

Starting August 8, 2022, individuals with post-graduation work permits that have expired or will expire from September 20, 2021, to December 31, 2022, will receive an email indicating that they are allowed to work in the interim. Recipients can attach this email to their post-graduation work permit to show an employer they are authorized to work temporarily in Canada. This one-time measure is intended to ensure that those eligible for the additional 18-month work period can remain working or can return to the workforce while they apply for a new work permit. This interim work period will be in effect until May 31, 2023.

The new rules affect applicants in different ways depending on when an applicant’s work permit expired as follows:

1. If post-graduation work permit expires from October 2, 2022, to December 31, 2022, and address is up to date, and passport is valid through April 2024?

You don’t need to do anything. When you receive an email from IRCC to confirm your mailing address, don’t respond. An updated work permit will be sent to your mailing address by mid-October.

1. If post-graduation work permit expires from October 2, 2022, to December 31, 2022, but you need to update address and/or passport validity.

When you receive an email from IRCC to confirm your mailing address, follow the instructions in the email to let IRCC know that your mailing address needs to be updated.

If your passport validity doesn’t allow to extend your work permit by 18 months, you will not receive this initial email, but you will receive a separate email in September.

If you need to update your mailing address or your passport information, you will receive instructions by email in September on how to update your mailing address and passport validity in your online account. You will get a 2-week window to do so. If you update this information, you will receive an updated work permit in the mail by mid-November.

1. If post-graduation work permit expired or will expire from September 20, 2021, to October 1, 2022.

You will need to apply online for a work permit.

Attorney Henry Moyal is a certified and licensed immigration lawyer in Toronto, Ontario.
The above article is general advice only and is not intended to act as a legal document.
Send questions to Attorney Moyal by email canada@moyal.com or call 416 733 3193