Migrant Students United is an organization of current and former international students in nine provinces, and the only national representative body of migrant students in Canada. Since the beginning of the pandemic, we surveyed 2,300 migrant students, held eleven online information sessions with over 2,000 students registered, and have directly connected with hundreds across Canada. From August 2020 to November 2020, we collected work permit expiry data from 614 post graduate work permit (PGWP) holders of whom:
- 11.07% reported their PGWPs have already expired.
- 44.95% reported their PGWPs will expire in less than 6 months.
- 43.97% reported their PGWPs will expire in 6-12 months.
Migrant Student Workers have simple, pragmatic, possible demands:
- Ensure real access to PR: Lower points requirements for PR (CRS); Count work that is part-time, in-school, and in any occupation towards PR; and ensure full and permanent immigration status for all migrants;
- Fix rules around work: Remove time-limits (such as the 20 hour restriction for off-campus work) and industry restrictions on work;
- Unite families: Allow families to travel; ensure work permits for family members.
- Lower tuition and ensure full services: Work with provincial partners to ensure migrant students pay domestic tuition; and have full access to all services including healthcare, housing, jobs, scholarships, pandemic emergency benefits, and in-school support; and ensure immediate access to Social Insurance Numbers.
