The Honourable Marco E. L. Mendicino, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship announced today that, beginning July 26, 2021, individuals who have applied for the recently opened pathway to permanent residence will be eligible for an open work permit while awaiting the results of their application.

The pathway to permanent residence was opened to international students who graduated from a Canadian institution, health care workers and those in other designated essential occupations on May 6, 2021. To qualify for the pathway, individuals must be legally working in Canada at the time of their application and maintain their temporary resident status until a decision is made on their permanent residence application.

Many whose status is set to expire are able to extend their work permit under existing programs, or receive a new permit under one of the temporary measures put in place as a result of the pandemic, such as the public policy for post-graduation work permit holders.

To qualify for this one-time open work permit, the 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 4 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

Please contact one of our lawyers at [email protected], if you have any questions.

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I cannot speak highly enough of the exceptional service provided by the Canadian Immigration law firm, particularly Attorney Andres. From the outset, their dedication to resolving my Canadian immigration matters was evident. Attorney Andres exemplified professionalism and empathy, dedicating ample time to understand my situation during our appointments. His communication skills were exemplary; he not only actively listened but also ensured clarity by summarizing our discussions and outlining the next steps via email promptly. Moreover, Attorney Andres’ profound knowledge of Canadian law was evident throughout the process, enabling him to navigate our various immigration matters effectively. His thorough analysis revealed potential roadblocks, prompting him to proactively engage with government agencies to obtain necessary details, all without incurring additional costs. The firm’s commitment to excellence and client satisfaction sets them apart. I highly recommend their services to anyone navigating Canadian immigration complexities. Thank you, Attorney Andres and the entire team, for your unwavering support and expertise.

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