Ottawa, 17 March 2023 - The Canadian Alliance of Student Associations (CASA) is pleased to see the expanding Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) supports for recent international graduates. This announcement comes as a measure to help Canada retain high-skilled international talent.
Beginning April 6, 2023, PGWP holders who wish to stay longer in Canada to opt into a facilitative process to extend their work permit for up to 18 months. Some graduates with expired work permits will also qualify for this extension. Even if their permit is beyond the 90-day restoration period, students can now receive an interim work authorization while awaiting their new work permit.
“It’s important that Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada is taking steps to support recent international student graduates,” said Christian Fotang, Chair of the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations. “This extension will provide stability for Post-Graduation Work Permit users and help reduce anxiety for many international students.”
According to IRCC, at the end of 2022, more than 286,000 international graduates were in Canada with a valid post-graduation work permit. This new announcement will ensure that talented international graduates have the support they need to not only fill the labour shortages but to ensure Canada’s long-term economic growth. With today’s announcement and last Fall’s temporary removal of off-campus working hours limits, international students are grateful for the support coming from Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada.
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ABOUT CASA
CASA is a non-partisan, not-for-profit advocacy organization representing students at 23 student associations across the country. Through our partnership with the Québec Student Union/Union étudiante du Québec (UEQ), CASA represents 365,000 students across Canada. CASA advocates for accessible, affordable, innovative, and high-quality post-secondary education in Canada. For over 25 years, CASA has done so successfully through policy and research development, awareness campaigns, government relations efforts, and partnerships with other stakeholders in the education sector.
