Close X
Thursday, November 28, 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

Prominent Democrats defend Canada's plastics ban

Prominent Democrats defend Canada's plastics ban
Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin, Connecticut Sen. Richard Blumenthal and Vermont Sen. Patrick Leahy are among those expressing support for the ban, which will be phased in beginning next year.

Prominent Democrats defend Canada's plastics ban

B.C. records its most deadly day at 28 people

B.C. records its most deadly day at 28 people
Dr. Bonnie Henry says all but two of the 28 fatalities occurred in long-term care homes, and 587 people have now died in B.C. since the start of the pandemic.

B.C. records its most deadly day at 28 people

WATCH: Raj Chouhan speaks about his new role as Speaker of the House in BC chambers

WATCH: Raj Chouhan speaks about his new role as Speaker of the House in BC chambers
On this historic feat he told DARPAN "There was a time when people of color were not even allowed to enter this building, let alone the chamber which I will be presiding over now." "Its a long journey and I am so grateful and say thank you to all those people who went before us and did all this for us!"

WATCH: Raj Chouhan speaks about his new role as Speaker of the House in BC chambers

B.C. money laundering final report will be delayed

B.C. money laundering final report will be delayed
British Columbia Supreme Court Justice Austin Cullen has released an interim report detailing the progress of the inquiry since hearings started last October, but he says he needs more time beyond the May 15 deadline set to release recommendations to the B.C. government.

B.C. money laundering final report will be delayed

Lululemon Q3 profits grow to US$143.6 million

Lululemon Q3 profits grow to US$143.6 million
The Vancouver-based clothing retailer, which reports in U.S. dollars, earned $1.10 per diluted share for the three months ended Nov. 1, up from 96 cents per share or $126 million a year earlier.

Lululemon Q3 profits grow to US$143.6 million

CBSA didn't probe how Meng's passcodes were shared

CBSA didn't probe how Meng's passcodes were shared
The B.C. Supreme Court has heard that passcodes to Meng's phones were collected during the exam and were "accidentally" shared when RCMP took possession of her electronics during the arrest.

CBSA didn't probe how Meng's passcodes were shared