On March 17, 2023, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced that international graduates with recently expired or expiring PGWPs would be able to obtain an additional or extended work permit to stay in Canada for up to 18 months. 

Starting from April 6, 2023, PGWP holders who wish to remain in Canada for an extended period will be able to opt for a facilitative process to extend their work permit. Moreover, foreign students whose PGWP expired in 2023 or who were eligible for the 2022 PGWP facilitative measure will also have the chance to apply for an additional 18-month work permit. 

Typically, PGWP is non-renewable, meaning that individuals holding a PGWP who wish to continue working in Canada are required to apply for a different kind of work permit once their PGWP expires. However, public policies were implemented that allowed those with expiring PGWPs to apply for an additional work permit in both 2021 and 2022. 

This additional work permit will allow eligible applicants to continue contributing to the Canadian economy while gaining valuable work experience and preparing for the opportunity to apply for permanent residence.