NPZ Immigration Law Blog

The Government of Canada announced a new public policy to support international students during the challenging time of COVID-19 pandemic. The policy indicates that a former international student who holds or who held a Post Graduate Work Permit (“PGWP”) will have an opportunity to apply for an open work permit. These applications will be open from January 27, 2021 through July 27, 2021.

With this policy, a foreign national in Canada affected by the pandemic with an expired or expiring PGWP will have a unique opportunity to apply for another open work permit. These will be valid for 18 months and will allow former international students to remain in Canada, continue to seek employment and build their future in this country. To be eligible under this policy, an applicant must have a PGWP that expired on or after January 30, 2020, or a PGWP that expires in 4 months or less from the date they apply, still be in Canada, and have a valid temporary status or apply to restore the status.

At NPZ, our U.S. and Canadian lawyers seek to assist clients with regard to employment and family immigration issues. If you or your friends or family should have any questions about any aspect of the Canadian Immigration Law, please feel free to contact us at info@visaserve.com or you can call our offices at 201-670-0006 (ext. 104). We look forward to being able to assist you.