Canada extends policy to give PNP candidates open work permits
- January 27, 2025
- Posted by: ideamaster
- Category: news
According to a statement from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) the policy has extended to offer open work permits (OWPs) to provincial nominee candidates. This temporary public policy will now be in effect until December 31, 2025. Under this temporary public policy, qualified foreign residents can receive open work permits (OWPs) valid for up to two years. A two-year open work permit will help eligible applicants by giving them the freedom to work for the majority of Canadian companies. To be eligible, the foreign national must have a valid profile in an expression of interest (EOI) pool from a participating province or region. It must have a support letter from the province or territory, in addition to meeting other conditions.
This article will cover
- Who can apply for an OWP under this policy;
- Which PNPs have marked on to this public policy; and
- How to submit an OWP application.
This temporary public policy has been extended until 31 December 2025.
Understanding the Open Work Permit for PNP Candidates
An open work permit is a type of work assignment that enables people to work for any employer across Canada, as opposed to employer-specific permits. Traditionally, people nominated through the PNP could face delays in their permanent residency approach, leaving them in a challenging situation if their current work permits passed. The open work permit policy was introduced to address this gap by providing greater flexibility to PNP candidates.
The policy applies to individuals who have been selected by a province or territory under the PNP but are awaiting the processing of their permanent residency (PR) applications. With this attachment, these candidates can restart to contribute to the Canadian economy while maintaining stability in their professional and personal lives.
Who is eligible to apply for an OWP under this temporary public policy?
To be eligible for a work permit under this temporary public policy, you must provide an authorization letter from the province or region you are currently working and living in and a letter of employment from your present employer.
You must also fall into at least one of the following three situations:
Situation 1: Valid work permit.
You currently hold a valid work permit.
Situation 2: Expired work permit + applied for extension of authorization or restoration of quality.
You maintained a valid work permit as of May 7, 2024, which has since expired; and
You’ve applied for an extension of your authorization to remain in Canada as a temporary resident, OR you’ve applied for restoration of your temporary resident status.
Situation 3: Held maintained status + extension application pending or approved.
As of May 7, 2024, you had maintained status on account of having applied for an extension of your work permit before 7 May 2024; and
That application was supported or stays pending.
To date, three PNPs have implemented this temporary public policy and begun issuing work permit support letters:
- Alberta (Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP));
- Manitoba (Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP)); and
- Yukon (Yukon Nominee Program (YNP)).
It’s advisable to consult an immigration consultant to ensure a seamless application procedure.
How to submit for an OWP under this policy
If you meet all the eligibility criteria, you can follow these steps to apply for an OWP under this policy:
- Step 1: Ensure You Have the Necessary Documents
- Step 2: Check the Instruction Handbook
- Step 3: Be Aware of the Fees You Must Pay
- Step 4: Create or sign in to an IRCC Secure Account online
- Step 5: Obtain the proper document checklist
- Step 6: Complete the application documents
- Step 7: Upload documents
Benefits of an (OWP)
OWPs in Canada deliver the flexibility for newcomers to work for most employers across most industries throughout the country. Moreover, the validity of an Open work permit is generally pre-determined and not dependent on a specific job, unlike employer-specific work permits, which are often referred to as “closed” work permits. As a result, OWPs are typically more desirable to newcomers compared to closed work permits and explore various job opportunities across industries to improve your skills and experience.