On January 8, 2021,IRCC announced that specific Post Graduation Work Permit holders can apply for new open work permits in order to obtain the work experience they need to pursue Canadian permanent resident status.
As per IRCC estimations as many as 52,000 PGWP holders possessing an expired or expiring PGWP may end up making the most from this policy.
IRCC will be accepting applications between January 27, 2021 and July 27, 2021.
To apply for an Open Work Permit under this public policy, an applicant must:
There are two types of work permits in Canada:
The purpose of the LMIA is for employers to exhibit to the Canadian government that the hiring process of a foreign worker will not have any sort of negative impact on Canada's existing liveware. The federal department of Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) looks forward to ensure that the hiring of foreign workers will not replace existing workforce in Canada nor place any descending pressures on their wages.
Although the LMIA process is in order, there are various different LMIA-exempt work permits,arising from free trade agreements, such as the former North American Free Trade Agreement, now known as the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement, or CUSMA. Along with this,there are employer-sponsored work permits, wherein a number of work permit options are available to foreign workers who do not have a job offer yet, which includes working holidays, post-graduate work permits, and open spousal work permits. Below discussed are the common scenarios under which one can work in Canada:
LMIA Required
Under this permit, employers require to obtain a Labour Market Impact Assessment as part of the process.
LMIA Exempt
Under certain circumstances, individuals are allowed to work in Canada without obtaining an LMIA.
CUSMA
This Work Permit is issued under the Canada-United-States-Mexico Agreement (formerly NAFTA), allowing work without an LMIA.
Intra-Company Transfers
Under this permit, a company is allowed to bring a few employees to Canada from its offices abroad without an LMIA.
Business Visitors
Under certain circumstances, business visitors may work in Canada without a work permit, as long as they meet a defined set of conditions and are not entering the Canadian labour market.
Post Graduation Work Permit
International students in Canada may work for up to three years after graduating from a Designated Learning Institution.