New measures on Post-Graduation Work Permit Eligibility for Online Students
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada announced important news for international students regarding three new measures that will govern their eligibility for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). These measures aim at providing more flexibility to students affected by the government's current travel restrictions and who have been forced to pursue studies online.
In order to be eligible for these measures, applicants need to have submitted a study permit application before starting a program of study in the spring, summer, or fall 2020 semester, or the January 2021 semester.
The new measures are:
Students may now study online from abroad until April 30, 2021, with no time deducted from the length of a future PGWP, provided 50% of their program of study is eventually completed in Canada.
Students who have enrolled in a program that is between 8 and 12 months in length, with a start date from May to September 2020, will be able to complete their entire program online from abroad and still be eligible for a PGWP.
Students who have enrolled in a program with a start date from May to September 2020 and study online up to April 30, 2021, and who graduate from more than one eligible program of study, may be able to combine the length of their programs of study when they apply for a PGWP in the future, as long as 50% of their total studies are completed in Canada
To read more about these changes visit: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/notices/pgwp-eligibility-measures.html
Andrew Carvajal is a Toronto lawyer, partner and Head of Economic Immigration at Desloges Law Group. He specializes in corporate immigration, temporary permits and all types of permanent residence applications for professionals and entrepreneurs.
Twitter: @CarvajalLaw
LinkedIn:linkedin.com/in/carvajalandrew
Email: acarvajal@desloges.ca
Comments