Now individuals who have applied for Canada PR and had a TR earlier now have an option to stay in the country. People can now appeal for an open work permit.
The guidelines and other details on how essential workers and international students can apply for the open work permit were released by the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Under the “official instructions online’, the guidelines for the same are available primarily to those new temporary residences to Canada permanent residence pathway (TR to PR) applicants.
A total of six fresh TR to PR programs were introduced in May. These catered explicitly to the immigration needs of three categories of people:
- International student graduates,
- French-speaking candidates in Canada and
- workers under the Essential category
A prerequisite for applying to the new programs is that the candidate should have a temporary residence document. For instance, it can be either a work or study permit. The new open work permit is helpful for candidates whose document validity is going to expire very soon.
It is very beneficial as the new open work permit acts as a bridge, allowing the applicant to stay more in Canada. At the same time, this also gives ample time for the IRCC to decide on their application.
The validity of the work permits is till December 31st, 2022. Another feature is that the applicant’s spouse, common-law partner, and dependent child above the age of 18 can also apply for the permit if they are present in Canada.
DETAILS OF VARIOUS PROGRAMS FOR APPLICATION
For the TR to PR pathways, the new work permit is very apt. A total of six programs available are: –
- (Health Care)Workers in Canada Stream A – (20,000 applications)
- (Essential but non-healthcare)Workers in Canada – Stream B ( 30,000 applications – Full)
- International graduates- Total 40,000 – full
- (French Speaking health care) Workers in Canada -Stream A (no cap)
- (French-speaking essential but non-healthcare) Workers in Canada – Stream B(no cap
- International graduates (French-speaking -no cap)
As seen from the above, three have intake cap limits and are open to English speakers. Whereas three have restrictions that are for French speakers only. However, there is no max limit to the number of applications.
Please note that these new programs have a deadline of November 5th or until the total limit of applications received by the IRCC is reached, whichever is earlier.
As per the present situation, only two programs have been filled, as shown above.
RIGHT TIME TO APPLY FOR – THE TR TO PR?
As per the guidelines issued by the IRCC, four months before the expiry of the current temporary status, an applicant can apply for the TR to PR. However, there are no time restrictions for family members and if the applicant has a maintained status or is eligible for status restoration.
HOW TO APPLY?
Applications are accepted online only. Because of a specific disability or internet connection, if you cannot apply online, then IRCC accepts paper applications. An important note: There is no facility for applying at the port while entering. The required steps are:
- Firstly, on your device, the Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to fill out the forms as per the IRCC’s instruction guide. Also, a scanner or camera and a debit/credit card for payment.
- Payment of the $155 work permit extension fee must be done first on the government website, online only. There is an exemption in paying a $100 open work permit holder fee.
- Open an account with IRCC. This is mandatory to apply, submit and check the status of your application. Once the above three main processes are completed, it is straightforward. Sign in first. The next step is to go to the Welcome page of your account and click on ‘Start your application.’ Then choose ‘Apply to come to Canada.’ Then select the ‘I do not have a code for personal reference’ box. After that, click on the ‘Visitor visa, study and work permit’ heading. Lastly, click on ‘Work.’
- After the account with IRCC is opened, a set of questions must be answered to prepare a personalized document checklist. Some sample questions asked are, what is your current immigration status? The answer is ‘worker. Another question is, ‘which scenario is applicable to you? The answer is, ‘Require the open work permit under an active public policy/pilot program announced by IRCC, hence applying for it.
- The 5th step is to fill up all the required forms and documents. Please refer to IRCC’s instruction guide for help in this regard. One such document is the IMM 5710 form. Herein under Box 1, select the option – open work permit. In the 4th Inbox, type ‘TRPR pathway PP OWP.’ Under the brief description of duties, enter the PR stream you have applied for. For the Duration of expected employment, the end date should not be later than December 21st, 2022, or the expiry date of your passport (whichever is earlier).
The final step is to Upload documents. Some documents required are fees receipt, work permit, proof of work, passport copy, language test result, and a digital photo. A family information form also needs to be uploaded along with documents such as a marriage certificate, birth certificates of accompanying family members. In addition, a medical exam report may also be required to be uploaded. Also, another separate document checklist for Family members has to be filled up. One of them is the Generic Application form for Canada (IMM 0008). This form should be uploaded under the client information section and should show all the details of the family members as listed in the main application form.
Once all the above steps are completed, an immigration officer will review them and verify all details, such as employment history. If any details are incomplete, the form will be returned for more information without any further processing. Once all eligibility criteria are met and details suit the work permit qualification, it will be processed. The work permits are then sent to the address for your Canadian residence. It will have all details regarding the type of work permitted, the employer, where and how long to work, etc.
