Maple News reports that Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Marco Mendicino, has unveiled a new open work permit aimed at supporting essential workers and international graduates who have applied under the recent temporary-to-permanent residence pathways. This move seeks to ensure applicants can continue living and working in Canada while they await a decision on their permanent residency (PR) applications.
Effective July 26, eligible individuals will be able to apply for this one-time open work permit, which will remain valid until December 31, 2022. The initiative primarily benefits individuals whose current permits are nearing expiry but who have already submitted PR applications under newly created TR to PR pathways.
Previously, applicants under these new TR to PR programs weren’t eligible for the Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP), unlike those in the Express Entry system. This was due to policy and program differences. With the announcement of this new work permit, the government aims to address this gap and avoid forcing skilled temporary residents to leave the country while their PR applications are being assessed.
Minister Mendicino emphasized the importance of this measure, stating, “This new open work permit ensures that those who have been playing critical roles throughout the pandemic can continue their extraordinary service.” The TR to PR pathway was launched to offer permanent residence to 90,000 essential workers and recent international graduates contributing to Canada’s COVID-19 recovery.
To qualify for the open work permit, applicants must meet several criteria: they must have submitted a PR application under one of the new pathways, held valid authorization to work at the time of their application, and have a work permit expiring within four months. Additionally, they must either have maintained or be eligible to restore their temporary status and must be residing in Canada.
Applicants also need to have been employed in any occupation when submitting their PR application and must have met the language requirements of their selected stream. The open work permit is also extended to eligible spouses, common-law partners, and dependent children over the age of 18, provided they are in Canada.
While other temporary measures, such as a special Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) renewal, have helped some graduates stay in Canada, this new permit fills a critical policy gap. Notably, the PGWP extension program ends on July 27, increasing the importance of this open work permit pathway for continued employment and legal residency.
More information and application forms will be available on the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website starting July 26, 2021.
With this policy, the Canadian government continues to demonstrate its commitment to retaining talent and supporting key workers, ensuring that those contributing to Canada’s social and economic fabric during the pandemic are not left in limbo.