New 2024 IRCC Work Permit Extension Policy for Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Candidates

Canada’s Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, Marc Miller, has announced a new public policy for work permits.

Starting August 11, 2024, this policy will simplify the process for issuing open work permits to qualified foreign nationals currently living in Canada under Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP).

The goal of this initiative is to strengthen the Canadian economy by keeping skilled workers who have already shown their ability to contribute economically and integrate socially into Canadian society.

Watch this in-depth video covering the latest updates to New 2024 IRCC Work Permit Extension Policy for Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Candidates

Policy Overview

This new public policy, created under Section 25.2 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA), offers a faster route for temporary residents who have received endorsement from their provincial or territorial authorities through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).

The policy is aimed at individuals with a valid work permit, those whose permits have recently expired, and those who were authorized to work under paragraph 186(u) of the Regulations as of May 7, 2024.

Eligibility Criteria

Here are the official policy conditions and eligibility criteria outlined by the Immigration Minister:

Under this public policy, delegated officers may grant an exemption from certain regulatory requirements if the foreign national meets the following conditions:

1. For Foreign Nationals with a Valid Work Permit:

• Must hold a valid work permit.
• Must have applied for a new work permit under section 200 of the Regulations.
• Must provide:
  • A support letter from the Provincial or Territorial authority where they reside, which has a letter of intent with IRCC detailing its role in this policy.
  • Evidence that the Provincial or Territorial authority has screened them and that they are either in the Expression of Interest pool or the authority’s application inventory for the Provincial Nominee Program.
  • A letter of employment from their current employer.

1. For Foreign Nationals with an Expired Work Permit (as of May 7, 2024):

• Must have held a valid work permit on May 7, 2024, but it has now expired.
• Must have applied for a new work permit under section 200 of the Regulations.
• Must also apply for an extension of their temporary resident status under section 181 of the Regulations or for restoration under section 182 of the Regulations.
• Must provide:
  • A support letter from the Provincial or Territorial authority where they reside, which has a letter of intent with IRCC detailing its role in this policy.
  • Evidence that the Provincial or Territorial authority has screened them and that they are either in the Expression of Interest pool or the authority’s application inventory for the Provincial Nominee Program.
  • A letter of employment from their current employer.

1. For Foreign Nationals Authorized to Work under Paragraph 186(u) (as of May 7, 2024):

• Must have been authorized to work under paragraph 186(u) on May 7, 2024, and their work permit extension application must be pending or approved.
• Must have applied for a new work permit under section 200 of the Regulations.
• Must also apply for an extension of their temporary resident status under section 181 of the Regulations.
• Must provide:
  • A support letter from the Provincial or Territorial authority where they reside, which has a letter of intent with IRCC detailing its role in this policy.
  • Evidence that the Provincial or Territorial authority has screened them and that they are either in the Expression of Interest pool or the authority’s application inventory for the Provincial Nominee Program.
  • A letter of employment from their current employer.

Exemptions and Eligibility

The policy permits exemptions from certain regulatory requirements, specifically those detailed in paragraph 200(1)(c) and paragraph 200(3)(e) of the Regulations.

Eligible foreign nationals can benefit from these exemptions, allowing them to continue working legally in Canada while their PNP application is processed.

Nevertheless, all other legislative eligibility and admissibility criteria that are not covered by this or another public policy continue to apply.

Effect and Expiration

This policy is scheduled to expire on December 31, 2024, but it can be revoked at any time without prior notice.

The initiative is part of Canada’s larger effort to adjust the ratio of temporary to permanent residents by keeping skilled workers who are already making valuable contributions to the labor market.

By providing a more direct path to permanent residency, the government seeks to attract and retain a skilled workforce essential for the nation’s economic growth and community development.