Program delivery update: Public policy: Open work permits for applicants under the temporary resident to permanent resident pathway
This section contains policy, procedures and guidance used by IRCC staff. It is posted on the department’s website as a courtesy to stakeholders.
October 6, 2025
A temporary public policy was signed on July 4, 2021, to facilitate the issuance of open work permits to eligible individuals in Canada under the temporary resident to permanent resident pathway.
A replacement public policy – archived on issuing open work permits for permanent residence applicants who made an application under the temporary resident to permanent resident pathway was signed on April 21, 2022, to become effective on June 6, 2022.
The extended public policy
- allows the issuance of open work permits until December 31, 2026, to avoid the need for renewals
- expands the eligibility criteria of the open work permit public policy to include eligible family members abroad to help speed up family reunification