PGWP extension – Public Policy August 2022

New measures for foreign nationals with expired or expiring post-graduation work permits and applicants to the temporary resident to permanent resident pathways

Open work permits for individuals with expired or expiring post-graduation work permits

Foreign nationals whose post-graduation work permit expired or will expire from September 20, 2021, to December 31, 2022, will have the opportunity to work in Canada for an additional 18 months by either extending their work permit or applying for a new one. Those currently in Canada will also have the ability to work in the interim period while their permit is being extended or a new one is being issued.

These measures will affect individual applicants in different ways.

My post-graduation work permit expires from October 2, 2022, to December 31, 2022, my address is up to date, and my passport is valid through April 2024.
You don’t need to do anything. When you receive an email from IRCC to confirm your mailing address, don’t respond. An updated work permit will be sent to your mailing address by mid-October.
My post-graduation work permit expires from October 2, 2022, to December 31, 2022, but I need to update my address and/or passport validity.
When you receive an email from IRCC to confirm your mailing address, follow the instructions in the email to let us know that your mailing address needs to be updated.
If your passport validity doesn’t allow us to extend your work permit by 18 months, you will not receive this initial email, but you will receive a separate email in September.
If you need to update your mailing address or your passport information, you will receive instructions by email in September on how to update your mailing address and passport validity in your online account. You will get a 2-week window to do so. If you update this information, you will receive an updated work permit in the mail by mid-November.
To ensure you will be able to benefit, check your passport validity and apply to extend it if it expires before April 2, 2024. If you applied for your post-graduation work permit using a paper application, make sure you have linked your application to your online account.
My post-graduation work permit expires from October 2, 2022, to December 31, 2022, but I won’t be able to update my address or passport validity.
You will need to apply online to extend your work permit. You could receive a work permit extended to your passport expiration date or you could wait to apply until you have renewed your passport.
My post-graduation work permit expires from October 2, 2022, to December 31, 2022, but IRCC didn’t contact me.
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 another reason, such as information has been added to your file about your admissibility to Canada that will need further review. You may still apply online to extend your work permit.
My post-graduation work permit expired or will expire from September 20, 2021, to October 1, 2022.
You will need to apply online for a work permit. Applications open on August 2, 2022. If you are in Canada and your temporary status has also expired, you must apply to restore your status at the same time. Under these special measures, you are allowed to restore your status, even if it expired more than 90 days ago.
You are eligible to apply from abroad if you have left Canada and return after you have been approved.

Note: You may not apply for this work permit at a port of entry. All work permit applications for this public policy must be submitted online by December 31, 2022.

Ability to work in the interim

Starting August 8, 2022, individuals with post-graduation work permits that have expired or will expire from September 20, 2021, to December 31, 2022, will receive an email indicating that they are allowed to work in the interim. Recipients can attach this email to their post-graduation work permit to show an employer they are authorized to work temporarily in Canada. This one-time measure is intended to ensure that those eligible for the additional 18-month work period can remain working or can return to the workforce while they apply for a new work permit. This interim work period will be in effect until May 31, 2023.

Temporary Resident to Permanent Resident Pathway

The government of Canada wants to share some important news with you. On May 6, 2021, they are launching a new one-time, temporary pathway for eligible workers to become permanent residents. It’s called the Temporary Resident to Permanent Resident Pathway.

You may qualify if you have experience in the health care sector, or in a select number of other essential occupations. Get more information about the new pathway, including eligible occupations and other requirements.

You can apply as of May 6, 2021. To qualify, you must submit your application before November 5, 2021, or the maximum numbers of applications is received, whichever comes first. We will accept up to

20,000 applications for temporary foreign workers in health care
30,000 applications for temporary foreign workers in selected essential occupations
40,000 applications for international students who graduated from a Canadian institution.

To support Francophone immigration outside Quebec, there is no maximum number of applications for French-speaking or bilingual candidates. If you speak French or are bilingual, you're encouraged to apply. You’ll be making an impact to the vitality of Francophone minority communities in Canada.

Applications are not yet being accepted. If you qualify, you should start preparing now, including scheduling a language test. You will receive more information about the program and how to apply once the new Temporary Resident to Permanent Resident pathway opens.

Please contact PHD Immigration Services if you have any questions.

Temporary public policy to facilitate

Temporary public policy to facilitate the granting of permanent residence for foreign nationals in Canada, outside of Quebec, with recent Canadian work experience in essential occupations.

Conditions (eligibility requirements) applicable to principal applicants

Based on public policy considerations, delegated officers may grant permanent resident status to foreign nationals who meet the following conditions. The foreign national must:

a. Have accumulated at least one (1) year of full-time work experience, or the equivalent in part-time experience (1,560 hours), in Canada, in an eligible occupation listed in Annex A or Annex B in the three (3) years preceding the date when the application for permanent residence is received. The one year of work experience must be obtained in one or more of the eligible occupations as follows:

- Stream A: the one year of work experience must have been acquired in one or more occupations listed in Annex A. Experience cannot be combined with Annex B occupations.

- Stream B: the one year of work experience must have been acquired in one or more occupations listed in Annex B, or a combination of occupations in Annexes A and B.

b. Be employed in Canada in any occupation at the time that the application for permanent residence is received;

c. The employment described in both a) and b) must meet the definition of work under subsection 73(2) of the Regulations, must have been authorized pursuant to the Act and Regulations and must not have been self-employed, unless working as a medical doctor in a fee-for-service arrangement with a health authority;

d. Have attained a level of proficiency of at least benchmark 4 in either official language for each of the four language skill areas, as set out in the Canadian Language Benchmarks or the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens. This must be demonstrated by the results of an evaluation by an organization or institution designated by the Minister for the purpose of evaluating language proficiency under subsection 74(3) of the Regulations; and the evaluation must be less than two (2) years old when the permanent residence application is received;

e. Reside in Canada with valid temporary resident status (or be eligible to restore their status) and be physically present in Canada at the time the application for permanent residence is received and when the application is approved;

f. Intend to reside in a province or territory other than Quebec;

g. Have submitted an application for permanent residence using the forms provided by the Department for this public policy and which must include at the time of application all proof necessary to satisfy an officer that the applicant meets the conditions (eligibility requirements) of this public policy, except for evidence required to demonstrate physical presence in Canada at the time of application approval;

h. Have submitted their application for permanent residence under this public policy using electronic means (apply online). Foreign nationals who, because of a disability are unable to meet the requirement to make an application, submit any document or provide a signature or information using electronic means may submit this application by any other means that is made available or specified by the Minister for that purpose; and

i. The foreign national is not inadmissible under the Act and Regulations.

While all supporting documentation necessary to assess whether a foreign national meets the conditions of this public policy must be included at the time of application, officers retain discretion to request additional supporting documentation to confirm admissibility and eligibility throughout the processing of the application.

Conditions (eligibility requirements) applicable to family members in Canada:

In-Canada family members of a principal applicant who applies for permanent residence under this public policy are eligible to be granted permanent residence pursuant to this public policy if they meet the following conditions:

1. the foreign national is in Canada;

2. the foreign national has been included as an accompanying family member in an application for permanent residence by a principal applicant under this public policy;

3. the foreign national meets the definition of a “family member” in subsection 1(3) of the Regulations;

4. the foreign national is not inadmissible pursuant to the Act and Regulations; and

5. a delegated officer has determined that the principal applicant meets all conditions (eligibility requirements) to receive permanent residence pursuant to this public policy.

Become a caregiver in Canada

Eligibility

You may be eligible to apply for the Home Child Care Provider Pilot or Home Support Worker Pilot, if you:

have a genuine and valid job offer

are able to do the job

meet the language level

meet the education requirement

are admissible to Canada

plan to live outside the province of Quebec as a permanent resident

Genuine and valid job offer

The job you’re offered must be:

made using Offer of Employment IMM 5983 (PDF, 2.33 MB)

full-time, which means at least 30 hours of paid work each week

from a Canadian employer

outside the province of Quebec

from an employer who’s not an embassy, high commission or consulate

genuine, meaning there’s a real need to hire you

The job you’re offered must be in the National Occupational Classification (NOC) job that matches the pilot you apply for:

Home child care provider (NOC 4411)

You must care for children under the age of 18 in your own home or in your employer’s home

You don’t need to live in your employer’s home to qualify

Experience as a foster parent doesn’t count

Home support worker (NOC 4412)

You must care for someone who needs help from a home support worker either in your own home or in your employer’s home.

You don’t need to live in your employer’s home to qualify

Only home support workers are eligible under NOC 4412

Experience as a housekeeper doesn’t count

Ability to do the work

We use any past experience or training you have to decide if you’re able to do the work described in the NOC job description (lead statement).

Language levels

You need to take a language test to prove you meet the minimum language skills.To measure your English or French skills, we use:

Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) for English

Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadien (NCLC) for French

The minimum language skill is CLB 5 in English or NLCL 5 in French for all 4 language skills: writing, reading, listening, speaking.

Education

You must have a completed post-secondary education credential of at least 1 year in Canada. If you don’t have a Canadian education credential, you need to get your foreign education credential assessed to show that it’s equal to a completed Canadian post-secondary education credential of at least 1 year.