New IRCC Work Permit Extension Policy for 2024: Canada’s Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, Marc Miller, has announced a new public policy for work permits.
Effective August 11, 2024, this policy is intended to simplify the process of issuing open work permits to eligible foreign nationals who are currently in Canada under Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP).
The goal of this initiative is to strengthen the Canadian economy by retaining skilled workers who have already shown their ability to contribute economically and integrate socially into the country.
Policy Summary
This new public policy, introduced under Section 25.2 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA), offers a faster process for temporary residents who have received Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) support from their provincial or territorial authorities.
It specifically applies to individuals with valid work permits, those whose permits have recently expired, and those who were permitted to work under paragraph 186(u) of the Regulations as of May 7, 2024.
Criteria for Eligibility
Below are the official conditions and eligibility requirements outlined by the Immigration Minister in the policy:
Eligibility Conditions:
Foreign nationals may be exempt from certain regulatory requirements if they meet the following criteria:
- Valid Work Permit Holders:
- Must have a current work permit.
- Must have applied for a new work permit under section 200 of the Regulations.
- Must include with their application:
- A support letter from the Provincial or Territorial authority where they reside. This authority must have an agreement with IRCC to support this public policy.
- Evidence that the authority has assessed the individual and placed them in an Expression of Interest pool or is processing their application under the Provincial Nominee Program.
- A letter of employment from their current employer.
- Expired Work Permit Holders:
- Must have had a valid work permit on May 7, 2024, but it has since expired.
- Must have applied for a new work permit under section 200 of the Regulations.
- Must also apply for:
- An extension of their temporary resident status under section 181 of the Regulations, or
- Restoration of their temporary resident status under section 182 of the Regulations.
- Must include with their application:
- A support letter from the Provincial or Territorial authority where they reside, as outlined above.
- Proof that the authority has screened them and placed them in the Provincial Nominee Program’s Expression of Interest pool or application inventory.
- A letter of employment from their current employer.
- Authorized Workers under Paragraph 186(u):
- Must have been authorized to work under paragraph 186(u) of the Regulations on May 7, 2024, with their work permit extension application either pending or approved.
- Must have applied for a new work permit under section 200 of the Regulations.
- Must also apply for:
- An extension of their temporary resident status under section 181 of the Regulations.
- Must include with their application:
- A support letter from the Provincial or Territorial authority where they reside, as described above.
- Proof of screening and placement in the Provincial Nominee Program’s Expression of Interest pool or application inventory.
- A letter of employment from their current employer.
Exemptions and Eligibility
The policy permits exemptions from certain regulatory requirements, specifically those detailed in paragraph 200(1)(c) and paragraph 200(3)(e) of the Regulations.
Eligible foreign nationals can benefit from these exemptions, allowing them to continue working legally in Canada while their PNP application is being processed.
It’s crucial to remember that all other legislative eligibility and admissibility criteria, not covered by this or any other public policy, remain applicable.
Effects and Duration
This policy is scheduled to expire on December 31, 2024, but it may be terminated at any time without advance notice.
As part of Canada’s larger strategy to adjust the ratio of temporary to permanent residents, this initiative focuses on retaining skilled workers who are already making valuable contributions to the Canadian labor market.
By providing a more straightforward route to permanent residency, the government seeks to draw and keep a highly skilled workforce essential for the nation’s economic advancement and community development.
This new public policy represents a major advancement in Canada’s ongoing efforts to assist temporary residents in their path to permanent residency.
By streamlining access to work permits, the government underscores its dedication to building a strong and inclusive immigration system that serves both foreign nationals and the Canadian economy.
Temporary residents who qualify are encouraged to seize this opportunity to secure their future in Canada.
