Open Work Permits under the new Public Policy

Due to COVID-19, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is allowing post graduate work permit holders who are currently in Canada to apply for a one-time open work permit of up to 18 months. Applicants under this new policy can apply for an open work permit online up until July 27, 2021.

Eligibility Criteria:

To be eligible for this open work permit, you must meet the following 5 requirements:

1. Your post-graduation work permit (PGWP)
   1. expired on or after January 30, 2020, or
   2. will expire within 4 months from the date you apply for this open work permit.
2. You were in Canada as of January 27, 2021, when the public policy took effect, and have stayed in Canada since then.
3. You either
   1. have a temporary resident status (this could be from having a valid PGWP, visitor record, or another permit that allows you to stay in Canada), or
   2. lost your temporary resident status, but you’ve already applied to restore it, or
   3. lost your temporary resident status, but you’ll apply to restore it at the same time as applying for this open work permit
4. You include in your application that you’re applying for an open work permit under this public policy.
5. You have a valid passport.
   1. The work permit will be issued for up to 18 months from the date of approval or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. For example, if your passport is valid for 6 months, then you will be issued an open work permit for 6 months.
   2. To maximize the duration of the open work permit, make sure your passport is valid for at least 18 months from the date of approval.

You can only get this open work permit once, and it cannot be extended. If your passport is valid for 18 months or longer, then you’ll be issued an open work permit for up to 18 months.

Please do not hesitate to contact our law firm at [email protected] , if you have any questions regarding this policy.