The Canadian Immigration Minister, Marco Medicino announced recently that the applicants to the 6 new pathways:
- Two PR Pathways for Temporary Workers in Healthcare or Essential Non-Healthcare
- Two PR Pathways for French-Speaking Temporary Workers in Healthcare or Essential Non-Healthcare
- Two PR Pathways for International Graduates who are French-Speaking or Non-French-Speaking
will be eligible to apply for an open work permit while waiting for the result of their application.
These new PR pathways were launched on May 6, 2021, for temporary foreign workers in essential occupations and international graduates from designated Canadian institutions. Applicants are required to be employed in Canada at the time of application and must maintain their status as temporary residents until their application for permanent residence is processed.
What Happens If Your Work Permit Expires While Your Application is Being Processed?
Many of the applications to the new PR pathways can extend their temporary work permit under their existing visa category. Many will be able to apply for a new one under the temporary measures put in place due to the ongoing pandemic. This includes international graduates with a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). As per the recent announcement by the Canadian immigration minister, applicants to the new PR pathways will be eligible to apply for an open work permit to maintain their status and receive work authorization.