December 23rd, 2024 at 06:09 am
Canada TR to PR Major Update | A Game Changer for Immigrants
Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has made a significant update to its policies regarding the temporary resident (TR) to permanent resident (PR) pathway. This change allows applicants to receive longer open work permits (OWPs) while their applications are being processed. This temporary public policy has now been extended until December 31, 2026.
Key Changes in the Policy
The updated policy also extends eligibility for OWPs to the spouses, common-law partners, and dependent children of principal PR applicants. This ensures that families can support each other during the immigration process.
The TR to PR pathway was a limited-time option for foreign workers. It allowed individuals with experience in essential occupations, health professions, or recent graduates of Canadian post-secondary institutions to apply for PR. However, this pathway closed in 2021.
Benefits for Current Applicants
Applicants still in the PR process can benefit from the extended OWP policy. Those who received an Acknowledgment of Receipt (AOR) from IRCC and have valid language test results can now apply for an additional OWP. This opportunity will remain available until the end of 2026.
Eligibility Criteria for Principal Applicants
To qualify for an OWP under this policy, the principal PR applicant must meet specific criteria:
- Temporary Resident Status: Applicants must have temporary resident status or be eligible to restore it.
- Work Permit Validity: If applicable, the work permit must have less than four months of validity at the time of application.
- Online Application: Applicants must submit an OWP application online through an IRCC secure account.
- Public Policy Indication: They must indicate which PR public policy they initially applied under.
- Legal Work Authorization: At the time of the PR application, they must have had legal work authorization and a specific language ability.
- Confirmation from IRCC: Applicants must have received confirmation from IRCC that their PR application was received within the allotted cap.
The original PR application cannot have been withdrawn or rejected before applying for the OWP. Only those with applications currently in process will be considered.
Legal Work Authorizations
Legal work authorizations can include a valid work permit, authorization under a public policy, or authorization to work under specific regulations.
Language Test Requirements
The specific levels of language proficiency required are as follows:
- For healthcare workers and essential non-healthcare workers in Canada: Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) or Niveaux de Compétence Linguistique Canadiens (NCLC) level 4.
- For international graduates from a Canadian institution: CLB/NCLC level 5.
- For French-speaking workers: NCLC level 4 for healthcare and essential non-healthcare roles.
- For French-speaking international graduates: NCLC level 5.
Eligibility Criteria for Family Members
Family members of principal applicants can also apply for an OWP if they meet the following conditions:
- Online Application: They must submit an OWP application online and include the Unique Client Identifier (UCI) of the principal applicant.
- Location: They must be in Canada when submitting their application.
- Family Relationship: They must be a genuine family member, such as a spouse, common-law partner, or dependent child.
- Age Requirement: Applicants must be 18 years of age or older when submitting the work permit application.
- Temporary Resident Status: They must have valid temporary resident status or be eligible to restore it.
Conclusion
The extended TR to PR pathway provides crucial support for immigrants and their families. It allows for greater stability during the immigration process, enabling applicants to work while awaiting their permanent residency.
This update represents a significant step forward for Canada’s immigration system. With clear eligibility criteria and increased opportunities for family members, immigrants can now navigate their paths with more confidence and support.
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