Study from home online in Canadian University or institute and still remain eligible for a post-graduate work permit. The IRCC announces great news of 12 February 2021 about international students who want to study in Canada.
International students can now complete their entire program online from abroad and still be eligible for a PGWP. The Honourable Marco E. L. Mendicino, Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, announced this to make sure that international students once graduated from Canada do not miss out on the most important opportunities.
The new regulations will indeed make it easier for international students to get settled in Canada after they have graduated from a recognized DLI. In normal conditions, international students can get 3 years of PGWP after they graduate from Canada. This work permit is normally not renewable but a few weeks before Canadian government also announced that it could be now further renewed for 18 more months. Canadian professional work experience helps international students gain valuable points for the PR.
There are some conditions however on the other hand to be eligible for the post-graduate work permit new regulations. This applies to those who:
- meet all other Postgraduate work permit criteria set aside by IRCC
- are enrolled in a PGWP-eligible program
- started or will start, a program in any semester from spring 2020 to fall 2021, or whose program was already in progress last year in March 2020
- have a student visa or approval for a study permit, or applied for a study permit prior to starting their program and are eventually approved
The Honourable Marco E. L. Mendicino, P.C., M.P., Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship said:
“Whether as health workers on the pandemic’s front lines or as founders of some of the most promising start-ups, international students are giving back to communities across Canada as we continue the fight against the pandemic. Their status may be temporary, but the contributions of international students are lasting. This new policy means that students hoping to work in Canada after graduation won’t miss out on opportunities while ensuring that Canada meets the urgent needs of our economy for today and tomorrow. Our message to international students and graduates is simple: We don’t just want you to study here, we want you to stay here.”
On the other hand, British Columbia is also offering much to international students. The graduates that complete their studies remotely (50% of studies must be within Canada) can qualify for the PNP of BC. Students who graduated before March 1, 2020, must have completed 50 percent or more of their studies on-campus. However, those who graduated on or after March 1, 2020, must have completed 50 percent or more of their studies from within Canada.
Luckily some international students can still travel to Canada by fulfilling the following two requirements:
- They must have a valid study permit or a letter of introduction that shows you were approved for a study permit.
- They must be attending a designated learning institution (DLI) with a COVID-19 readiness plan approved by their province or territory.