Labour disruptions at IRCC | MyNews | Seneca Students

On April 19, 2023, the Public Service Alliance of Canada announced a general strike that will impact immigration services provided by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Some IRCC services remain available, including: 

• applications/document submissions online or through mail
• access to online accounts
• visa application centres outside of Canada

You may experience delays in your application processing and have challenges contacting IRCC, as most services are partially or fully disrupted

Study permit extensions:



• If you have a study permit expiring, you should apply for a study permit extension immediately
• As long as you apply for the extension prior to your current study permit expiration date, you will maintain your status and be able to continue studying in Canada

Late arrivals due to permit processing:



• If you do not receive study permit approval by the start of the May 2023 Term on Monday, May 8, it is recommended that you consider studying online from your home country or request a deferral to a future term
• To study from your home country, you must have submitted your application for a study permit before the start of your program, and the program must be delivered in an online or flexible delivery format
• Be sure to confirm your program delivery format for the May 2023 Term and follow the requirements for maintaining post-graduation work permit eligibility
• If your timetable includes in-person or hybrid classes or learning activities that require you to be in Canada and on campus for the start of the May 2023 Term, it is still possible to start your classes in Canada by May 12, 2023
• Email seneca.international@senecacollege.ca with the subject line “IRCC Late Arrival” to learn more about your options — include your Seneca student identification (ID) number and program name
• Until you arrive in Canada, please stay connected with your professors and complete course requirements online by logging in to Learn@Seneca; you can review important information about travelling to Canada in our international students’ checklists.

Graduating students applying for a post-graduation work permit:

• During the strike, you can submit an application for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP)
• As long as you submit your PGWP application while you have a valid study permit, you can begin to work as soon as you receive acknowledgement of your PGWP submission
• The documents you need for a PGWP are:

1.  A graduation letter, which will be issued on the same day final grades are released
2. A transcript — when you apply, be sure to choose the processing option of “Credential Confer Date"

If you are currently on maintained status, or want to connect with an immigration specialist with questions, please contact theservicehub@senecacollege.ca or join an virtual or in-person drop-in session. You can also visit the FAQ website for more details.