Canada has released the details of how essential workers and international students can apply for an open work permit. This is for those who applied for the new temporary residence to permanent residence (TR to PR) pathways. The six new TR to PR open work permit programs were created to offer immigration pathways to international student graduates, essential workers, and French speakers in Canada.
About the New TR to PR Open Work Permit Programs
The new programs are for those with temporary residence documents in Canada, such as a work or study permit. The new open work permit is for those who applied for these programs with a short amount of validity left on their current documents. This acts like a bridging open work permit and it allows applicants to stay in Canada while IRCC makes a decision on their application.
The open work permits will be valid until December 31, 2022.
When can you submit your application?
You can submit your application up to four months before your current temporary status expires. If you have family members, they can apply at any time. However, you can apply at any time if you are on maintained status, or if you are eligible to restore your status.
How to apply for the TR to PR Open Work Permit?
You can only submit your application online. If you can’t apply online, for a disability or any other reason. IRCC offers an option to accept paper applications.
Step 1. Get everything you need
To submit your application online, you need a scanner or a camera. Also, you will need your debit or credit card available to pay the fees.
In addition, in order to view IRCC’s instruction guide to help you fill out the forms, you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Step 2. Pay your fees
Part of the requirements is that you pay the $155 work permit extension fee on the government website. However, you are exempt from paying the $100 open work permit holder fee. So, you have to pay the extension fee online.
Step 3. Login to IRCC account
After gathering all your documents, you need to create an account with IRCC. You can use this account to submit your application forms and check your status. Follow the instructions below to create your account:
- Once you are signed in, go to the “Start your application” section on the account welcome page.
- Then click “Apply to come to Canada.”
- After that, scroll down to the “I do not have a personal reference code” section.
- Click on the “Visitor visa, study and/or work permit” button.
- Finally, on the next page, select “work.”
Step 4. Get document checklist
Once you finished creating your account, you will then have to answer some questions in order to get a personalized document checklist. Follow the instructions below:
- Start by saying that you would like to work temporarily (more than six months).
- For both workers and students, select “worker” when asked “What is your current immigration status in Canada?” For students, this is a temporary measure while IRCC updates the application system.
- When asked which scenario applies to you, choose “I am applying for an open work permit under an active public policy or pilot program announced by IRCC.”
- After this, you will be asked “There are fees associated with this application. Will you be paying your fees are are you fee exempt?” Answer “No, I am exempt from paying fees for the application.” Even though you have already paid your $155 fee, you are exempt from paying the open work permit holder fee.
Step 5. Fill out the forms
IRCC’s instruction guide will help you fill out the forms once you have your document checklist.
One of the required documents will be the IMM 5710 form, called “Application to Change Conditions or Extend my Stay or Remain in Canada as a Worker.”
In the “Details of Intended Work in Canada” section, under Box 1 select “Open Work Permit.” Then in Box 4, enter “TRPR pathway PP OWP” in the Job Title box. In the “Brief description of duties” box, enter the name of the PR stream you applied for. For example, “Public policy for foreign nationals in Canada with recent Canadian work experience in essential occupations.”
For “Duration of expected employment,” you can ask for an end date that is no later than December 21, 2022. However, you cannot ask for a date beyond the expiry of your passport.
Step 6. Upload the right documents
For principal applicants, you will need the following documents
- a copy of your fees receipt,
- some sort of proof that you were working legally when you applied (like a work permit),
- proof of language test result,
- copy of your passport,
- a digital photo and
- a family Information Form.
In addition, you may need a medical exam, or other documents such as a marriage certificate, or birth certificates for any accompanying family members.
If you have family members in Canada, they will have their own document checklist. Among the documents they will need will be the Generic Application form for Canada known as IMM 0008. This form must show the family member’s name as listed in the principal applicant’s application. It can be uploaded under “Client Information.”
What happens after you submit your application?
After you submit your application, an immigration officer will review your application. If they determine your application is incomplete, they will return it without processing it. They may also ask you to send more information.
However, if you are eligible they will mail the work permit to the Canadian address you gave them. The work permit will say the type of work you can do, the employer you can work for, where you can work, and how long you can work.
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