The new CEC Open Work Permit will provide qualifying permanent resident applicants, whose permits are due to expire, with a means to keep working and more flexibility to better integrate into the Canadian labour market.

Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) will be making changes to enable certain economic class applicants to maintain their status and continue working in Canada while they await a final decision on their permanent residence application.

Previously, applicants who were awaiting a decision on their permanent residence application might have their temporary work permits expire during the processing of their application. As a result, these persons would no longer be authorized to work in Canada unless their employer applied for and received a Labour Market Opinion from Human Resources and Skills Development and the applicant then applied for an extension of their status.

Qualifying foreign nationals currently in Canada who have submitted an application for permanent residence under the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), Canadian Experience Class (CEC), Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) or the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) may be considered for an open work permit if their current work permit will soon expire.

CEC Open Work Permit Requirements

• Currently be in Canada;
• Have valid status on a work permit that is due to expire within 4 months;
• Have received confirmation from CIC that their permanent resident application is eligible under one of the four Economic Classes (FSWP, CEC, PNP and FSTP), and;
• Have made an application for an open work permit.

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