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

A new open work permit for those temporary workers or international graduates waiting for the decision of their PR application (pathway to permanent residence) can now get an open work permit.

Marco Mendicino, Canada’s minister of immigration has declared an open work permit for skilled workers and foreign graduate students in Canada. The issuance of the open work permits will start from the 26th of July and validation will be till December 2022.

The skilled workers and the foreign students living in Canada for a short-term period do not need to be concerned about the expiring of their work permits after this declaration.

Marco Mendicino said that” Our modern strategy, providing the easiest pathways to 90,000 skilled workers and foreign graduate students, is significant. These open work permits will support those workers and students who were facing so many hurdles in their work and studies due to COVID-19. Now they will be given some relief so that they can easily contribute their services in Canada.”

Essential consideration

If the skilled workers and foreign students will not apply for this open permit, there is the chance that they will have to leave the country. This will be implemented in the case they have another permit of any type.

What are the eligibility criteria for open work permits?

Applicants must reveal the following points in order to be eligible for the open work permits:

  • They have already applied for one of the newly-launched routes for the residence;
  • They own a residence/work permit which is going to expire in minimum duration of 120 days;
  • They were allowed to work/study at the time they are applying;
  • They have a short-term allowance to live in Canada;
  • They are in Canada at the time they are applying for an open work permit;
  • They are working as an employer at the time they are applying for open work permits;
  • They are qualified for the language criteria of the stream for which they are applying at the time of application submission.

What benefits does an open work permit offer?

If you will get the open work permit, you will get these benefits:

  • Your life partner, children ( age over 18 years and above) will also be allowed on the open work permit during your stay;
  • You can enjoy the freedom of movement with this permit;
  • If your work permit has not expired, and you applied for the new permit before it. You will enjoy the residence allowance even after the expiration of the work permit. In this case, you can also work without a work permit until your new permit from IRCC is issued.