The Post Graduate Work Permit policy released by IRCC on August 02, 2022 included a rare exception for qualifying candidates. Usually when an applicant files a second work permit request AFTER their last work permit expired, that person is no longer able to continue to work while their second request is pending for a decision. But, in this policy announcement, IRCC stated as follows:
“Starting August 8, 2022, individuals with post-graduation work permits that have expired or will expire from September 20, 2021, to December 31, 2022, will receive an email indicating that they are allowed to work in the interim. Recipients can attach this email to their post-graduation work permit to show an employer they are authorized to work temporarily in Canada. This one-time measure is intended to ensure that those eligible for the additional 18-month work period can remain working or can return to the workforce while they apply for a new work permit. This interim work period will be in effect until May 31, 2023.”
It is worth noting that the above exception is an extremely beneficial and forgiving measure given to international students. They make up a large part of the ever growing work force in Canada. We need to embrace them and incorporate them into our permanent resident stream. We can only be successful in doing so, if we assist them with their transition from work to pr status processing.
Additionally, and especially in this post covid world that we live in, mental health awareness has become a cornerstone in the “return to work” process. Many people in all sectors have been struggling with how detached the world became during Covid19. The separation from friends and loved ones was a very problematic and difficult time for many. International students were hit hard that much more, with financial struggles entering the picture as well as the fact they are separated from their loved ones for such a lengthy period of time. The CBA national immigration section has drafted and submitted cogent submissions bringing this matter to the forefront of IRCC Minister. These international students require additional assistance to help them deal with the pressures of school, financial burdens, PTSD, and other related mental health concerns. The current requirement of maintaining a full course load at school with little room or ability to reduce course work is a change that is desperately needed. A Canadian or PR do not have these pressures to deal with. However, international students do, as their course work and attendance are necessary ingredients for their future ability to qualify for a PGWP. Obtaining that PGWP enables them to achieve work experience, which in turn sets up their ability to qualify for pr status. It is a real and true domino effect.
The ability for a Canadian or PR to sponsor their Parent or Grandparent is capped. IRCC sees reason to keep it capped and not open it up completely. If one agrees, and there is ample evidence to confirm this fact from stats can and elsewhere, that there is a labour shortage, then why not allow unlimited sponsorship of parents/grandparents, so they can care for the children of the workers in Canada. It is not surprising, that many families with young children, only have one parent doing the heavy lifting in terms of earning an income for a job outside of the home. If however, their parents or grandparents were allowed to be sponsored to canada, that burden would be immediately lifted so BOTH SPOUSES can work and earn an income, which also enables goods and services being purchased, which help to reduce the high inflation we are currently witnessing.
Perhaps this line of thinking will trickle up to senior management at IRCC in Ottawa, resulting in changes that are desperately needed in the sponsorship program.
David H. Davis is the founder and owner of Davis Immigration Law Office. He and his team can be reached by email at: david@daviddavislaw.com on the web at www.daviddavislaw.com or by phone at 204-956-2336 extension 208. David has over 33 years of legal experience in Canadian immigration legal matters.