Work permit for recent permanent residence applicants announced

IMPACT – MEDIUM

Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced that applicants of a recently opened permanent residence pathway can now apply for an open work permit.

Key Points:

• Individuals can now submit open work permit applications if:
  • They have submitted an application under one of the recently opened permanent residence streams.
  • They have held a valid work permit or were able to legally work without a permit when their permanent residence application was submitted.
  • They hold a valid work permit that will expire within four months.
  • They have temporary resident status, maintained status or can restore their status, and they are in Canada at the time their open work permit application is submitted.
  • They were employed in any job when their permanent residence application was submitted.
  • They meet the language requirements for the permanent residency pathway.
• The open work permit will be valid until Dec. 31, 2022.

Additional Information: Applicants’ spouses and dependents over the age of 18 are also eligible for the open work permit if they are in Canada. The permanent residence streams opened on May 6, 2021, for healthcare workers, international students who graduated from a Canadian institution and those designated under the essential occupations list.

BAL Analysis: The IRCC began accepting applications for the open work permit on July 26. Qualifying individuals are encouraged to apply in order to maintain their status and have work authorization while their pending permanent residence applications are processed.

This alert has been provided by Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

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