Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has extended its temporary public policy allowing applicants in the Temporary Resident to Permanent Resident (TR to PR) pathway to receive longer open work permits (OWPs) while their applications are in progress. This policy also extends the eligibility for spouses, common-law partners, and dependent children of principal PR applicants to apply for OWPs. The policy will now remain in effect until December 31, 2026.
Background on the TR to PR Pathway
The TR to PR pathway was a limited-time immigration program that allowed foreign workers with experience in essential occupations, healthcare professions, or recent graduates from Canadian post-secondary institutions to apply for permanent residency. This pathway was closed in 2021. However, applicants still in the PR application process can continue to benefit from the extended OWP policy.
Applicants who received an Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR) from IRCC for their PR application, and who can provide valid language test results and proof of authorized work, can apply for an additional open work permit valid until the end of 2026.
Eligibility for Principal PR Applicants
To be eligible for an open work permit under this policy, principal PR applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Temporary Resident Status: They must hold temporary resident status (including maintained status) or be eligible to restore their temporary resident status.
- Work Permit Validity: If applicable, they must hold a work permit that has less than four months of validity at the time of application.
- Online OWP Application: They must submit their OWP application online through an IRCC secure account under this public policy.
- Public Policy Indication: Applicants must indicate the PR public policy they applied under as part of the TR to PR pathway in their application.
- Work Authorization & Language Requirements: At the time of applying for permanent residence, applicants must have held legal work authorization* and met specific language proficiency** requirements.
- Confirmation from IRCC: They must have received email confirmation from IRCC that their PR application was received under a selected public policy and is within the cap for that policy or have received a letter from the Client Support Centre (CSC) for paper applications.
- No Withdrawal or Rejection: The applicant’s initial PR application cannot have been withdrawn or rejected before applying for the OWP; only applicants with applications still in process are eligible.
Note on Legal Work Authorization: Legal work authorization can include, but is not limited to:
- A valid work permit
- Authorization to work under a public policy
- Authorization to work under section R186 of the regulations.
Specific Language Requirements:
- For Health Care Workers and Essential Non-Health Care Workers in Canada: CLB/NCLC level 4 in either English or French.
- For International Graduates from Canadian Institutions: CLB/NCLC level 5 in English or French.
- For French-Speaking Health Care and Essential Workers in Canada: NCLC level 4 in French.
- For French-Speaking International Graduates from Canadian Institutions: NCLC level 5 in French.
Temporary public policies under which applications can build eligibility under this extension policy can be found on IRCC’s website.
Applicants who apply for an OWP under this policy must pay the work permit processing fee but are exempt from the open work permit holder fee typically associated with OWP applications.
Eligibility for Family Members to Receive an OWP
Family members of the principal applicant may also be eligible for an open work permit under this policy, provided they meet the following conditions:
- Online OWP Application: Family members must submit an OWP application online through an IRCC secure account, including the Unique Client Identifier (UCI) of the principal applicant.
- Residency Requirement: They must be in Canada when submitting the work permit application.
- Family Member Status: Applicants must be genuine family members of the principal applicant, which includes:
- Spouse or common-law partner
- Dependent child* of the principal applicant or their spouse/common-law partner
- Dependent child of a dependent child
- Included in PR Application: The family member must have been included as an accompanying family member in the principal applicant’s PR application.
- Age Requirement: The applicant must be 18 years or older at the time of submitting the application.
- Temporary Resident Status: Family members must have valid temporary resident status or be eligible to restore their status when submitting the application.
Definition of a Dependent Child: A dependent child is defined as someone who is:
- Under 22 years of age, and
- Not married or in a common-law relationship.
Children aged 22 or older may still qualify as “over-age” dependents if they have relied on their parents for financial support since before turning 22 and are unable to support themselves due to a mental or physical condition.
Note: If the principal applicant’s PR application is rejected, IRCC will also refuse all associated work permit applications for family members.
For further details on eligibility and how to apply, please visit the official IRCC website.
