International students to get more time for PGWP
On Friday, the federal government was to announce a new temporary measure to allow international students to apply for an 18-month extension on their post graduate work permit.
The PGWP is an open work permit that gives international graduates legal status to find work after graduation.
With the new measure, thousands of international students in Nova Scotia who have an expiring or expired permit will have more time to accumulate Canadian work experience that could eventually lead to permanent residency.
Before the announcement, the PGWP program had been a one-time opportunity for international students.
Despite the number of degrees the student has completed in Canada, each student could only apply for one PGWP that lasts between one to three years, depending on the length of the school program.
“Some people were waiting here in Canada, and others had to go back to their country and I believe now they will be able to come back. So that's amazing. That's really truly a second chance,” said Joyce de Paula who launched the petition calling on the federal government to extend the time limit for post-graduate work permits for international graduates.
The petition states COVID19-related work shortages have had a negative impact on international students.
“So I believe that that's a response to that petition, even though we haven't officially received a response,” said Paula.
Applications will be open from Jan 27 to July 27, 2021. Details on how to apply will be added to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada's website on Jan 27, 2021.