The Government of Canada has introduced temporary measures to obtain an open work permit for foreigners, who arealready in Canada. Temporary residents who are in the process of applying for PR status in Canada have the opportunity to extend their work permit on a simplified basis until 31 December 2024. This policy supports provincial economies in attracting the best workers.
On 11 August 2024, Marc Miller, the head of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, introduced this temporary public policy for potential immigrants. Currently, temporary residents are actively using the proposed measures to extend their legal stay in Canada.
The priority for the IRCC is to reduce the number of temporary residents by making them permanent residents of Canada. The new temporary policy provides an opportunity to obtain an open work permit if a foreigner has registered for an invitation to apply (ITA) through a provincial nominee program.
The conditions for obtaining an open work permit are as follows:
- An employment offer
- A valid work permit or a work permit that has expired as of 7 May 2024
- A letter of support from the province or territory
Ukrainians under the temporary CUAET program have the opportunity to extend their stay in accordance with additional measures that are in force until 31 December 2024. Under the temporary public policy, Ukrainians receive another tool for applying for staying in the country. Under this policy, foreigners who are in Canada on employment invitations (LMIAs), can extend their stay without having to re-apply for this document in the country.
The temporary public policy allows those who are best adapted and adjusted to life in a particular province to continue to reside, work and pay taxes in the country, and not be concerned about plans to reduce the number of temporary residents in Canada, while waiting for a decision on their application for permanent resident status.
The temporary public policy applies to applications that were submitted at the time of introducing the policy, will be submitted for consideration, or are already under consideration (respectively, submitted under a previous similar temporary program: The Temporary Public Policy to Facilitate Work Permits for Foreign Nationals in Provincial and Territorial Expression of Interest Pools under the Provincial Nominee Programme, which was signed on 26 June 2024 and has expired).
Each province and territory establishes its own procedure for applying for and obtaining an open work permit in accordance with this temporary public policy. By contacting immigration consultants in Canada of MV Group, you will receive comprehensive information on how to extend your work permit in your individual case.
