Close X
Thursday, October 31, 2024
ADVT 
National

New international grad work permit program opens

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 27 Jan, 2021 07:06 PM
  • New international grad work permit program opens

A new work-permit program aimed at encouraging international students to settle in Canada opened for applications Wednesday.

The federal government announced the program this month after international students argued the pandemic had disrupted the job market, making it hard to gain work experience required to apply for permanent residency before their permits expired.

Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino said the new permit offers people more time to find work in Canada after graduating from post-secondary studies.

Former students with post-graduation work permits that have expired or will soon expire can now apply for open work permits, he said.

Under the new program, people have 18 more months to stay in the country to look for work.

The federal department estimates that about 52,000 graduates could benefit.

Post-graduation work permits allow international graduates to gain work experience in “skilled” Canadian jobs and later apply for permanent residence in the country.

Sarom Rho, who leads a migrant student campaign with Migrant Workers Alliance for Change, said the change is a major win for the thousands of people who feared potential deportation once their non-renewable permits expired.

"This is a massive change and it's absolutely a step in the right direction," Rho said in an interview.

"However, there are many who are still left behind."

Some people whose permits were near expiring have already left the country and can't apply under the new rules, Rho said, or they went home to visit their families and have been unable to return due to travel restrictions.

Others whose permits are set to expire after November 2021 are also ineligible to apply, Rho said.

Rho's group, Migrant Students United, also wants Ottawa to consider hours worked in essential jobs unrelated to graduates' programs of study towards their permanent residency applications.

 

MORE National ARTICLES

27 year old man shot at and taken to hospital with serious injuries: Langley RCMP

27 year old man shot at and taken to hospital with serious injuries: Langley RCMP
The victim had sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was immediately transported to hospital with critical injuries.

27 year old man shot at and taken to hospital with serious injuries: Langley RCMP

No place for 'far right' in Conservatives: O'Toole

No place for 'far right' in Conservatives: O'Toole
The unusual statement follows the riot on Capitol Hill, which U.S. President Donald Trump has been accused of inciting and which has since been held up as proof of the dangers posed by right-wing extremists to Western democracy.

No place for 'far right' in Conservatives: O'Toole

Alberta has legal case if Keystone killed: Kenney

Alberta has legal case if Keystone killed: Kenney
The premier says Alberta is getting legal advice in both Canada and the U.S. about seeking compensation if the project is scrapped.

Alberta has legal case if Keystone killed: Kenney

Ottawa clears Boeing 737 MAX for flight

Ottawa clears Boeing 737 MAX for flight
Monday's announcement caps a recertification process without precedent in the history of modern aviation.

Ottawa clears Boeing 737 MAX for flight

B.C. to phase out enhanced driver's licences

B.C. to phase out enhanced driver's licences
The enhanced driver's licence and enhanced identification card allowed the holder to enter the United States through land crossings or marine ports without needing to present a valid passport.

B.C. to phase out enhanced driver's licences

B.C. hospice refusing MAID must vacate premises

B.C. hospice refusing MAID must vacate premises
The statement comes a week after the society's board sent layoff notices to all clinical staff at the hospice before the cancellation of its service agreement.

B.C. hospice refusing MAID must vacate premises