December 30th, 2024 at 02:21 am

Canada TR to PR Major Update: Canada PR 2025

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has made significant changes to its public policy regarding the pathway from temporary resident (TR) to permanent resident (PR). Now, applicants can receive longer open work permits (OWPs) while their applications are processed.

This policy extension also covers principal PR applicants’ spouses, common-law partners, and dependent children. The new deadline for this temporary public policy is December 31, 2026.

Originally, the TR to PR pathway was a limited-time opportunity for foreign workers in essential occupations and health services and recent graduates from Canadian post-secondary institutions. This pathway closed in 2021. However, applicants who are still in the PR process can benefit from the extended OWP policy.

To qualify for an additional OWP, applicants must have received an Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR) for their PR application. They also need to provide valid language test results and proof of authorized work. Eligible applicants can apply for this OWP until the end of 2026.

Eligibility Criteria for Principal PR Applicants

For principal PR applicants, several criteria determine eligibility for an OWP under this policy:

• Temporary Resident Status: Applicants must maintain their temporary resident status or be eligible to restore it.
• Work Permit Validity: If applicable, they must hold a work permit with less than four months of validity at the time of application.
• Application Submission: They must submit an OWP application online through an IRCC secure account.
• Public Policy Indication: Applicants need to indicate which PR public policy they initially applied under.
• Legal Work Authorization: At the time of their PR application, they must have held legal work authorization and achieved specific language proficiency.
• Confirmation from IRCC: They must have received confirmation from IRCC that their PR application was received and within the cap for that policy.

Language Proficiency Requirements

The required language test results vary by stream:

• Workers in Health Care: CLB/NCLC level 4 in English or French.
• International Graduates: CLB/NCLC level 5 in English or French.

Eligibility Criteria for Family Members

Family members of principal applicants may also qualify for an OWP. To be eligible, they must:

• Submit an OWP Application: They must do this online and include the Unique Client Identifier (UCI) of the principal applicant.
• Be in Canada: Applicants must be physically present in Canada when submitting their application.
• Relationship Status: They must be a genuine family member, such as a spouse, common-law partner, or dependent child.
• Accompanying Family Member: They must have been included as an accompanying family member in the principal applicant’s PR application.
• Age Requirement: Applicants must be 18 years or older at the time of their application.
• Temporary Resident Status: They must have valid temporary resident status or be eligible for restoration.

Conclusion

The IRCC’s updates provide crucial support for those navigating the TR to PR pathway. By extending the OWP policy and clarifying eligibility criteria, the IRCC aims to streamline the immigration process. Applicants should carefully review the guidelines and ensure they meet all requirements to take full advantage of these changes.

For detailed information on the eligibility criteria and application procedures, prospective applicants can visit the IRCC’s official website.