International students and workers in Canada who applied for permanent residency under any of the public policies launched in April this year will now be able to apply for an open work permit if their status expires before a decision is made on their permanent residency application.

These applicants are not allowed to apply for a bridging open work permit offered to those who applied for permanent programs such as Express Entry Programs. Some of them, also, are not be able to renew their current permit if they do not meet the renewal requirements, such as having an approved Labour Market Impact Assessment.

The new work permit option has been implemented to allow certain applicants to continue working and supporting themselves and their families while waiting for a decision from IRCC on their permanent residency.

To be eligible, the foreign national needs to be in Canada with valid temporary resident status or be eligible to restore it under the IRCC rules.  Those who hold a valid work permit are able to apply if that work permit expires in less than four months from the time the application for a work permit under this new public policy is made.

Family members 18 years of age or older who have been included as an accompanying family member in the application for permanent residence are also eligible to apply for the new work permit.

This public policy took effect on July 4, 2021 and will expire on December 31, 2022.

Need to apply for the new open work permit?

Get complete assistance by contacting us: 

Contact