Canada to introduce new open work permit for essential workers and international student graduates

[小蝴蝶]

Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino has announced a new open work permit option for essential workers and international student graduates in Canada.
Starting July 26, temporary residents who applied for the newly-launched pathway to permanent residence will be eligible for an open work permit while they wait for a decision on their application.
What this means is those who applied for the new programs will not have to worry about their temporary status expiring. If their current work or study permit expires before Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) approves or denies their application, they can apply for this new work permit.

How to qualify for the new open work permit​

In order to be eligible for this one-time open work permit, applicants must show that they:

• have applied under one of the new permanent residence pathways;
• were authorized to work at the time of their application;
• hold a valid work permit that is set to expire within the next four months;
• have temporary residence 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; and
• meet the language requirements of the stream under which they applied at the time their application was submitted.

The open work permit is also available to the applicant’s spouse or common-law partner and dependent children over the age of 18, as long as they are also in Canada.