It’s good news for international students in Canada! As per new immigration rules in Canada, International students are now eligible for Post Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) with online courses. In tune with the changing times of the Coronavirus pandemic, International students starting their Canadian study program in the coming weeks will not be penalized for online coursework if they eventually apply for a Post Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).
Getting PGWP is considered an important stepping stone for international students as it allows them to gain the Canadian experience.
International students can work in Canada for up to three years if they get PGWP. This PGWP Canadian work experience is highly valued in economic class immigration programs that lead to permanent residence in Canada.
Any Canadian experience prior to becoming permanent residents will sync well with the job market in Canada. In fact, more than 80 economic class immigration programs in Canada reward international student candidates having Canadian experience with extra points. It is a known fact that in 2018, one-quarter of the nearly 90,000 people who received an invitation to apply under Express Entry to Canada were former international students.
Prior to the pandemic times it was mandatory for international students to have continuously studied full time in Canada in a program with a minimum tenure of eight months to become eligible for this work permit. The Canadian Government has instigated this temporary reform to make its immigration policies more flexible during these trying times of the Coronavirus.
Many courses were forced to move online conforming with Coronavirus prevention measures. Nowadays, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is allowing international students enrolled in these courses to be eligible for a PGWP. Students with study permits, or who were approved for a program starting in May or June, but were unable to travel to Canada due to travel restrictions are also included.
In this case, international students who cannot travel to Canada sooner can begin their classes while outside Canada and may complete up to half of their program while abroad.
Canada’s travel ban is set to be in place until June 30th. International students who were approved for a study permit after March 18 are currently not exempt from this travel ban.
Many international students who wish to eventually transition to PR have welcomed this temporary reform from IRCC.
To clear your doubts on PGWP related matters & immigration to Canada, contact the best Canada Migration Consultants, M&G.
