The federal government is getting creative to make up for the shortfall of new permanent residents due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
On Friday they announced that post-graduate work permit holders will be eligible to extend or renew their work permits, for up to 18 months. The permits will be available to not only those who have a valid post-graduate work permit expiring soon, but also to anyone whose post graduate work permit expired after January 30, 2020.
This policy has the mutual benefit of allowing workers to maintain stable employment and gain the Canadian work experience needed to apply for permanent residence, while also ensuring that Canada will be able to gain enough skilled workers to meet economic need. The government has committed to landing over 400,000 new permanent residents in 2021. Extending the validity of work permits and permission to work in Canada for graduating students, enhances the chances of a grant of permanent residency.
These workers already in Canada will be an important source of new permanent residents in a year that will continue to be shaped by border restrictions and processing delays.
Applications for these open permits open on January 27, 2021.
