The IRCC announcement on Twitter was worded as "International students: if you have been affected by #COVID19 while in Canada and hold or held a post-graduation work permit (PGWP), you will now have the opportunity to apply for another open work permit." IRCC keeps re-quoting this Tweet about 10 times a day on Twitter in response to questions.
However, the link at https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/2021/01/government-of-canada-announces-new-policy-to-help-former-international-students-live-in-work-in-and-continue-contributing-to-canada.html
Has the requirements as:
So naturally the question is, will anyone with a PGWP expiring in the specified time frame have an option to extend or only those who can demonstrate that they have been "affected by the pandemic". And, if the later, how are they defining "affected by the pandemic"?
Any thoughts or speculation?
However, the link at https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/2021/01/government-of-canada-announces-new-policy-to-help-former-international-students-live-in-work-in-and-continue-contributing-to-canada.html
Has the requirements as:
- To apply for an open work permit under the public policy, an applicant must
- have a PGWP that expired on or after January 30, 2020, or a PGWP that expires in 4 months or less from the date they apply
- still be in Canada
- have a valid temporary status, or be applying to restore their status
So naturally the question is, will anyone with a PGWP expiring in the specified time frame have an option to extend or only those who can demonstrate that they have been "affected by the pandemic". And, if the later, how are they defining "affected by the pandemic"?
Any thoughts or speculation?
