Canada has announced a new public policy that allows the issuance of open work permits with a longer duration to avoid the need for renewals. The new rules will also expand the eligibility criteria of the open work permit public policy to include eligible family members abroad to help speed up family reunification. The deadline to apply for an open work permit has been extended until December 31, 2026.
This replacement public policy will be applied retroactively to pending applications for a work permit made under the initial public policy, as well as all applications received from now on.
The open work permits for applicants under the temporary resident to permanent resident pathway have been extended. You can apply for an open work permit until December 31, 2026.
Suppose you’re still waiting for a decision on your permanent residence application submitted in 2021 under the temporary resident to permanent resident pathway. In that case, this extension allows you to keep your temporary resident status in Canada and continue working in any occupation and for any employer while your application is being processed. This extension only applies to eligible applicants and their family members.
The temporary resident to permanent resident pathway is a limited-time pathway to permanent residence. It is for certain temporary residents who are currently working in Canada and their families. You may be eligible for permanent residence if you have work experience in Canada in an essential occupation or the health or health services field or you recently graduated from a Canadian post-secondary institution.
There are 6 streams in this pathway: 3 accept both English- and French-speaking applicants and 3 are specifically for French speakers.
Who can apply
To be eligible for an open work permit, you must meet 5 requirements:
1. You must live in Canada.
2. You must have applied under one of the temporary resident to permanent resident pathways.
Workers with recent Canadian work experience in essential occupations (health and non-health)
French-speaking workers with recent Canadian work experience in essential occupations (health and non-health)
Recent international graduates from a Canadian post-secondary institution
French speaking international graduates from a Canadian institution
Recent international graduates from a Canadian post-secondary institution (applications above the cap)
Temporary resident to permanent resident pathway applicants who used an alternative format (applications above the cap)
3. When you applied for the PR pathway, you were legally authorized to work with 1 of the following:
a valid work permit
an authorization to work without work permit
an authorization to work under any public policy
4. When you applied for the PR pathway, you met the language requirements for the pathway you’re applying for. You must have had valid results from an approved language test when you applied. If you applied for one of the French-speaking streams, your test results must be from an approved French language test.
5. When you apply for your work permit, you must either have valid temporary resident status or have applied to extend your status before it expired (maintained status) or be eligible to restore your status.
When you can apply
If you have a valid work permit, you can apply up to 4 months before your current work permit expires. Your family members can apply any time after you submit your permanent residence application.
Work Permit Processing Time Timeline
Canada Post is experiencing labor disruptions, causing mail delivery delays. Despite normal processing, applications will be delayed within or to Canada. IRCC recommends online applications, and if paper applications are needed, use another courier. You must wait for IRCC to email you to let you know that you can start working. This may take up to 30 business days or 6 weeks.