The Canadian government has chosen not to prolong a temporary provision that provides an additional 18-month work permit to holders of post-graduate work permits (PGWPs) that have expired or are about to expire.
The most recent development would impact international students, especially Nigerians, whose PGWPs are slated to expire after December 31, 2023.
Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, has announced three temporary policies, including this change.
Changes include raising the minimum cost of living for overseas students by 106.4% to $20,635.
Providing insight into the new PGWPs update, a Canadian-based student, Uloma Beatrice, said:
“The announcement means foreign nationals with a PGWP expiring up to December 31, 2023, remain eligible to apply.
“However, they have not extended this policy for those whose PGWPs are expiring on January 1, 2024. This will come as a big blow as the students will now have to plan what to do next in just few days.”
Nigerians affected have three alternatives for avoiding becoming illegal immigrants: marry a Canadian Permanent Resident, seek asylum, or obtain a labour market impact assessment (LMIA) paperwork from a company with vacancies.
The LMIA is a document required by Canadian employers when recruiting overseas workers.
A positive LMA indicates that a foreign worker is required to fill the position and that no Canadian worker or permanent resident is available.
Another modification enacted by the Canadian government involves the work-hour limit, which is good news.
Canada’s immigration has extended the waiver of the 20-hour-per-week limit for overseas students working off-campus during class sessions until April 30, 2024.
Students might work more hours while studying for the following four months. This condition only applies to international students who are already in Canada or have applied for a study permit by December 7, 2023.
Those who submit applications after this date must comply to the 20-hour-per-week work requirement.
