Ottawa changes rules for permanent residency applicants

The federal government is allowing individuals who have applied for the recently opened pathway to permanent residence to hold an open work permit while awaiting the results of their application.

Eligibility for the open permit starts July 16.

“Our new path to permanent residence for 90,000 essential workers and international graduates is a major step forward — the size, speed and scope of which is unprecedented,” says Marco Mendicino, minister of immigration, refugees and citizenship.

“This new open work permit ensures that those who have been playing critical roles throughout the pandemic can continue their extraordinary service. Our message to them is simple: your status may be temporary, but your contributions are lasting — and we want you to stay.”

In February, Mendicino said Canada is well poised to come out of the COVID-19 pandemic by relying more on new immigrants to help alleviate the labour shortage.

To qualify for the one-time open work permit, applicants must show that they:

• have successfully submitted an application under one of the new permanent residence pathway’s 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 four 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

An applicant’s spouse or common-law partner and dependent children 18 years or older may also be eligible to apply for an open work permit under this policy, if they are also in Canada.

Work permits issued under the new policy will be valid until Dec. 31, 2022.

Those who have applied to extend their work permit before their current one has expired may maintain their status and have authorization to work without a permit under the same conditions as the original while the new permit is being processed, according to the government.