Canada Extends Open Work Permits for TR to PR Pathway Applicants

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has extended its temporary public policy. This will allow applicants in the TR to PR pathway to continue receiving extended Open Work Permits (OWPs) as their applications remain in process, thereby positively impacting Canadian immigration.

This policy also benefits the spouses, common-law partners, and dependent children of principal applicants, providing them with the opportunity to apply for OWPs as well. The policy, which was initially introduced to support applicants under the TR to PR pathway, has now been extended until December 31, 2026.

What is the TR to PR Pathway?

The TR to PR pathway, which closed in 2021, was a special immigration program aimed at providing permanent residency to foreign workers in essential occupations. Despite the program's closure, applicants who are still waiting for decisions on their PR applications can benefit from the extended OWP policy.

Key Eligibility Criteria for Principal PR Applicants

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• The applicant must have valid temporary resident status (including maintained status) or be eligible to restore their status.

• If the applicant is applying for an OWP while holding a work permit, the permit must have less than four months of validity at the time of application.

• The applicant must submit their OWP application online through the IRCC secure account under this public policy. They must also specify which PR public policy they initially applied under as part of the TR to PR pathway.

• At the time of submitting their PR application, the principal applicant must have had legal authorization to work and must provide proof of meeting the required language proficiency level.

• Applicants must have received an Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR) from IRCC, confirming that their PR application is in process and within the program’s cap.

• The applicant’s PR application must still be active and applications that have been withdrawn or rejected are not eligible for an OWP.

Applicants who meet the above criteria can apply for an additional OWP, which will remain valid until the end of 2026.

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Key Eligibility Criteria for Family Members to Receive an OWP

Family members of the principal applicant, including spouses, common-law partners, and dependent children, may also be eligible for OWPs under this policy. To qualify, family members must meet the following conditions:

• Family members must submit their OWP application online via an IRCC Secure Account and include the Unique Client Identifier (UCI) of the principal applicant in their application.

• Family members must be in Canada when submitting their OWP application and have valid temporary resident status.

• The family member must be a genuine spouse, common-law partner, or dependent child (under 22 years of age and not married or in a common-law relationship). Dependent children who are 22 or older may still qualify as "over-age" dependents if they depend on their parents for financial support due to a mental or physical condition.

• The family member must have been included as an accompanying member in the principal applicant’s PR application.

Work Permit Fees and Other Considerations

Applicants for OWPs under this policy are required to pay the work permit processing fee. However, they are not required to pay the usual open work permit holder fee. It is important to note that if the principal applicant’s PR application is rejected, all associated OWP applications for family members will also be denied.

In conclusion, the extension of Canada Work Permits for TR to the PR pathway will allow applicants to work in Canada while their permanent residency applications are processed. This measure not only supports applicants but also helps strengthen the Canadian workforce by retaining skilled workers. With this policy, applicants can remain engaged in their careers and contribute to Canada's economy.

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Source: canada.ca

Tags: Canada Temporary Residence Permanent Residence pathways Open Work Permits Canada Open Work Permit Canada PR Visa Apply for Canada PR Immigrate to Canada Canada Immigration News