In a move to help International students, who are considered important and productive members in Canada’s educational system, the Government of Canada has moved forward with a slew of measures including offering open work permits for former international students who hold or held a post-graduation work permit (PGWP).
The reasoning behind the decision is that International students are vital to Canada’s growth, contributing more than $21 billion annually to the country’s economy and adding to the vibrancy of the communities. However, their position was threatened with the onset of the pandemic, which has presented a variety of challenges facing international students finding gainful employment and work opportunities.
In response, the Honourable Marco E. L. Mendicino, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, today announced that international students will be able to avail of work opportunities and their efforts will not be in vain after they graduate due to the pandemic. In light of colleges and institutes suspending their classes, international students abroad have been forced to turn to online learning for several more months, as a measure, and thus, the temporary changes introduced to the PGWP Program earlier in the pandemic are being extended and expanded.
Ensuring students continue to have access to benefits of studying at Canada, international students who complete their courses outside Canada will still be eligible for a future PGWP, and international students who complete their entire program online from abroad will be able to apply for a PGWP. This is applicable to all international students who are enrolled in a PGWP-eligible program, and fulfill the conditions of all other PGWP criteria.
The government has spearheaded endeavors to encourage international students to settle permanently in Canada for many are hard workers with a unique culture and work ethic. Their achievements are further bolstered after they have studied in Canada and done a work experience, which makes them suitable for a permanent resident status. More than 58,000 graduates successfully applied to immigrate permanently in 2019.
A central part of the Canadian’s Government plan to mitigate the impact of the coronavirus pandemic’s second wave and move towards economic recovery by assimilating skilled immigrants.
This new policy is expected to attract more graduates to fill vacancies in the workforce in fields like health care, technology and more. Former international students will play a part in building their futures and careers in Canada, while assisting the country’s short term recovery and long term prosperity, which will lead to a stronger and thriving Canada.