New Open Work Permit for TR to PR Applicants

Starting July 26, 2021, individuals who have applied for the recently opened pathway to permanent residency will be eligible for an open work permit while awaiting the results of their application.

On May 6, 2021, the pathway to permanent residence was opened to international students who graduated from a Canadian institution, health care workers, and those in other designated essential jobs. Individuals must be legally working in Canada at the time of their application to qualify for the pathway and maintain their temporary resident status until a decision is made.

Temporary residents whose status are set to expire can do either of the following: (1) extend their work permit under existing programs; or (2) receive a new permit under one of the temporary measures put in place because of the pandemic.

In efforts to avoid disruption and uncertainty for applicants who have an expiring work permit, the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship announced today that permanent resident applicants awaiting a decision will be eligible for an open work permit.

To qualify for this one-time open work permit, applicants must demonstrate the following:

• have successfully submitted an application under one of the new permanent residence pathways streams
• held a valid work permit, or were authorized to work without a work permit, at the time their permanent residence application was submitted
• hold a valid work permit that is set to expire within the next 4 months
• have temporary resident status, maintained status or are eligible to restore their status at the time their open work permit application is submitted
• are in Canada at the time their open work permit application is submitted
• were employed in any occupation at the time their permanent residence application was submitted
• meet the language requirements of the stream under which they applied at the time their permanent residence application was submitted.

For more information, contact us at AKM Law.