How IRCC’s TR to PR Pathway Extension Benefits Applicants and Families !

Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has extended the temporary public policy allowing applicants of the Temporary Resident (TR) to Permanent Resident (PR) pathway to obtain longer Open Work Permits (OWPs). This extension ensures applicants can maintain valid work authorization while their PR applications are under review.

The policy also benefits family members, including spouses, common-law partners, and dependent children, by granting them eligibility for OWPs under specific conditions. This temporary policy will remain in effect until December 31, 2026.

About the TR to PR Pathway
The TR to PR pathway, launched as a limited-time initiative, enabled foreign workers in essential occupations, healthcare roles, or recent graduates of Canadian post-secondary institutions to apply for PR. While the pathway closed in 2021, applicants with pending PR decisions can continue to access extended OWP benefits.

Eligibility for Principal Applicants
Principal applicants seeking an OWP under this policy must meet the following conditions:

1. Status: Have temporary resident status (including maintained status) or qualify for restoration.
2. Work Permit Validity: Hold a work permit with less than four months’ validity at the time of application.
3. Online Submission: Apply for an OWP through an IRCC Secure Account under this public policy.
4. Policy Reference: Specify the TR to PR pathway policy under which their PR application was initially submitted.
5. Legal Work Authorization: Demonstrate valid work authorization at the time of PR application submission.
6. Language Proficiency: Provide valid results meeting the language test requirements for their specific stream.
7. Acknowledgment of Receipt (AOR): Possess proof from IRCC confirming their PR application was received and accepted within the policy’s cap.

Eligibility Criteria for Family Members
Family members of the principal applicant, such as spouses, common-law partners, and dependent children, must fulfill the following requirements to qualify for an OWP:

1. Online Submission: Apply through an IRCC Secure Account, including the Unique Client Identifier (UCI) of the principal applicant.
2. Residency: Be physically present in Canada at the time of application.
3. Family Member Verification: Prove their relationship as:
   • A spouse or common-law partner.
   • A dependent child under 22 years or meeting over-age dependency criteria.
4. Inclusion in PR Application: Be listed as an accompanying family member in the principal applicant’s PR submission.
5. Age Requirement: Be 18 years or older at the time of application.
6. Status Maintenance: Hold or restore valid temporary resident status in Canada.

Work Permit Fees
Applicants under this policy must pay the standard work permit processing fee but are exempt from the additional OWP holder fee.

Key Language Requirements
Each stream under the TR to PR pathway has specific minimum language benchmarks. These range from Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 4 to CLB 5 in English or Niveaux de Compétence Linguistique Canadiens (NCLC) levels 4 or 5 in French, depending on the applicant’s category.

Conclusion
The extension of this temporary policy reflects IRCC’s commitment to supporting individuals transitioning from temporary to permanent residency in Canada. Applicants and their families can benefit from ongoing work opportunities while awaiting PR decisions, fostering stability and contributing to the Canadian workforce.