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To: The Honourable Lena Metlege Diab

Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)

365 Laurier Avenue West, Ottawa, ON, K1A 1L1

 

Subject: Petition for Work Permit Extension and Improved PR Pathways for International Workers and Students in Canada.

The Issue:-

We, the undersigned, respectfully bring forward our urgent concerns regarding the expiring work permits of thousands of international students and workers across Canada. Many of us have dedicated years of our lives studying, working, and contributing to Canada’s economy and society, yet we now face uncertainty and the risk of losing legal status due to permit expirations and limited pathways to Permanent Residency (PR).

 

Background & Real-Life Challenge

• Permit Expiry Crisis: Thousands of Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) holders are seeing their permits expire in 2025-2026.Without extensions, many will lose their jobs and legal status despite Canada facing labour shortages.

• Economic Contribution: International students contributed over $22 billion annually to Canada’s economy (Statistics Canada). They pay high tuition fees and support local businesses, yet face barriers in transitioning to PR.

  Real-Life Cases:-

 • In 2023, many PGWP holders were forced to leave Canada after IRCC did not renew temporary extensions, despite working in essential roles during COVID-19.

• Families have been separated because spouses’ open work permits tied to PGWP holders also expired.

• Skilled workers in healthcare, trucking, IT, and trades—professions where Canada faces severe labour shortages—have been sent home despite employers needing them.

• Mental Health Impact: The uncertainty has created stress, depression, and financial instability among international students who came with the dream of settling in Canada.

Our Requests

We call upon the Government of Canada and IRCC to take immediate measures, including:

 1. Work Permit Extensions:

• Automatically extend expiring PGWPs and other temporary work permits for at least 12-18 months to give applicants sufficient time to qualify for PR.

• Allow for multiple extensions until permanent solutions are created.

 2. Fairer PR Pathways via Express Entry:

• Lower CRS cut-off scores to reflect real labour needs, not just academic points.

• Give additional points for Canadian work experience and essential occupations such as healthcare workers, truck drivers, construction workers, and IT professionals.

• Expand Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) to absorb more applicants stuck in limbo.

 3. Transparency & Timely Updates:

• Provide clear communication from IRCC about future policies so international students and workers can plan their lives responsibly.

• Publish annual targets for PGWP holders transitioning to PR.

 

Why This Matters

• Retaining skilled workers already in Canada is far more efficient than bringing new ones from abroad.

 • Supporting international students aligns with Canada’s reputation as a welcoming, diverse, and fair nation.

Our Appeal:-

We, the undersigned, urge IRCC and the Government of Canada to recognize the invaluable role of international students and workers by:

 • Extending work permits without unnecessary hurdles, and

 • Making PR pathways more flexible, transparent, and achievable.

By doing so, Canada will not only maintain  its reputation as a global leader in immigration but also ensure its economy continues to thrive.

With deep respect and hope,

Signatures of Concerned International Students, Workers, and Supporters.