New Open Work Permit Options for Expiring PGWP Holders

According to the new measures for foreigners with expired or expiring post-graduation work permits instructions, certain expired PGWP holders will now be able to apply for a new open work permit, and expiring PGWP holders will be able to extend their work permits.

This special measure was initially announced in April by Immigration Minister Sean Fraser. PGWPs typically have a one-time use. Graduates of full-time programmes offered to international students who qualify can obtain an open work permit valid for a maximum of three years.

With the new change, qualifying PGWP holders will be able to renew existing work permits or apply for new open work permits that are valid for another 18 months. If your PGWP expires between September 20, 2021, and December 31, 2022, the instructions apply to you.

PGWP holders cannot apply for this work permit at a port of entry, according to IRCC. By December 31, 2022, all work permit requests under this new change must be made online.

Different applicants may have different situations:

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

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

2. If your post-graduation work permit expires between October 2, 2022, and December 31, 2022, you need to update your address and/or passport validity. (Check your passport validity and apply to extend it if it expires before April 2, 2024)

   Confirm your mailing address when you receive an email from IRCC, and follow the instructions in the email.

   This initial email will not be sent to you if your passport validity doesn’t allow IRCC to extend your work permit by 18 months, instead, you will receive a different email in September.

   If you need to update your mailing address or passport information, you will receive instructions by email in September. If your information is updated, you will receive an updated work permit in the mail by mid-November.

3. If your post-graduation work permit expires between October 2, 2022, and December 31, 2022, you won’t be able to update your address or passport validity.

   You will need to apply here to extend your work permit.

4. If your post-graduation work permit expires between October 2, 2022, and December 31, 2022, but IRCC didn’t contact you.

   If you do not receive an email from IRCC by mid-September, you are not eligible to have your work permit extended through this special process for other reasons. You may still need to apply here to extend your work permit.

5. If your post-graduation work permit expired or will expire between September 20, 2021, and October 1, 2022.

   You will need to apply here for a work permit. Applications are opened on August 2, 2022. If you are currently residing in Canada and your temporary status has also come to an end, you must also apply to have your status restored. You are permitted to restore your status under these special rules, even if it expired more than 90 days ago.

Ability to work in the interim:

Individuals having PGWPs that have expired or will expire between September 20, 2021, and December 31, 2022, will begin receiving emails on August 8, 2022. It will notify you that you are permitted to work in the interim. This interim work period will be in effect until May 31, 2023.

Work permits for applicants to the temporary resident to permanent resident pathways:

If you are part of the temporary resident to permanent resident (TR to PR) pathways, and your permanent residence application has not yet been finalized, you are eligible to apply for an open work permit.

For more detailed PGWP information, please visit here.

Check your eligibility here with instant results.