Some students, whose permits expired in the 2023 exemption period, were able to benefit from the 18-month extension.
Some students, whose permits expired in the 2023 exemption period, were able to benefit from the 18-month extension.
Since April 2023, the plight of international students in Canada, particularly regarding the extension of their post-graduation work permits, has garnered significant attention.
The issue is highlighted by the case of Om Prasad Konda, a student from India who graduated in 2020 from a Montreal institution.
Konda, along with nearly 3,000 other international students, is petitioning the federal immigration minister, Marc Miller, for an 18-month extension on their PGWPs, which are set to expire this year.
Konda’s work permit was issued in 2021 and is due to expire at the end of January. His situation became more precarious after losing his job last month. He, along with many others, has found navigating the job market during and post-COVID exceptionally challenging.
Konda remarked: “Two to three years we faced that very difficult situation where we couldn’t find a better job than what we had studied at the time,” indicating the dissonance between their academic qualifications and the available job opportunities.
“Last year, we got a few jobs, but even the jobs weren’t helpful for our permanent residency situations,” he said.
No extension
The federal government previously extended PGWPs that expired in the last three years due to the pandemic. However, Viviane Albuquerque, a Canada and U.S. immigration lawyer, stated, “The instructions and information that we have is that there will not be an extension on post-graduation work permits. The time that you have is the time that you have.”
“Having the individual students here, they made that financial investment to be here, to study in Canada. And now they have no option to go back home because they cannot extend their work permits,” she said.
This reflects a return to pre-pandemic policies, despite significant changes in economic and social circumstances.
Some students, whose permits expired in the 2023 exemption period, were able to benefit from the 18-month extension. However, others, like Konda, are ineligible, leading to inconsistencies and frustrations among students who arrived under similar circumstances. Albuquerque comments on the situation as a reflection of the government’s stance on international students in Canada, suggesting they are perceived as disposable.
Program review
The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada is reviewing the program to support international students better. It includes examining various options in collaboration with provinces, territories, educational institutions, and other key stakeholders to address ongoing challenges.
“The Department is undertaking a review of the program to examine how we can support international students in Canada. IRCC is currently looking at a number of options and will continue to work closely with provinces and territories, educational institutions and other key partners to address the ongoing challenges faced by International students,” the statement read.
Further complicating matters, starting Jan. 1, the IRCC implemented changes including doubling the cost-of-living financial requirement for incoming international students. They now need to show savings of $20,635, in addition to their first year of tuition and travel expenses. This measure aims to ensure students are financially prepared for life in Canada.
“The main intent of this change is to protect students who arrive in Canada without enough money to support themselves. International students choosing to come to this country need to be aware of the costs associated with life in Canada,” the statement noted.
Limited options
In response to the extension demands, the IRCC clarified that the measures allowing for an additional open work permit of up to 18 months were specific to the pandemic’s height. They were extended due to post-pandemic labor shortages but will not be continued, reverting to the policy that a person may only receive one PGWP in their lifetime.
“It provided former students with the opportunity to gain the work experience necessary to apply for permanent residence after their work was disrupted by pandemic-related closures,” the IRCC wrote in a statement.
For those like Konda, whose PGWP expires in 2024, the options are limited. They can either stay in Canada for an extra six months as a visitor or find an employer willing to extend the permit. The situation places many international graduates in a precarious position, potentially having to restart their careers from scratch if they cannot extend their work permits.
Minister Miller’s recent announcement about considering a cap on the number of international students in Canada adds another layer of uncertainty to the issue. The government’s approach to international students’ role in Canada’s educational and economic landscape is under scrutiny, with the well-being and future prospects of thousands of international graduates hanging in the balance.
