INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS IN CANADA WILL BE GIVEN A SECOND CHANCE TO GAIN CANADIAN WORK EXPE

On January 8, 2021, the Honourable Marco E. L. Mendicino, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship announced that former international students who hold or held a Post-Graduate Work Permit will have the opportunity to apply for an open work permit.

This temporary policy taking effect on January 27, 2021, will allow International students with an expired or expiring post-graduate work permit the one-time opportunity to apply for another open work permit that will be valid for 18 months. This work permit will allow former international students to remain in Canada and continue to seek employment. Applications will be accepted from January 27 to July 27, 2021.

To be eligible under this new public policy an applicant must:

- have a Post-Graduate work permit that expired on or after January 30, 2020, or a Post-Graduate work permit that expires in 4 months or less from the date they apply

- still reside in Canada

- have a valid temporary status or be applying to restore their status.

Further details will be provided by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada's website on January 27, 2021.