Apply for An Open Work Permit Under a Public policy – PGWP

Due to COVID-19, you may be eligible to apply for a one-time open work permit of up to 18 months if you apply online by July 27, 2021.

Who can apply

To be eligible for this open work permit, you must meet the following 5 requirements:

1. Your post-graduation work permit (PGWP)
   1. expired on or after January 30, 2020, or
   2. will expire within 4 months from the date you apply for this open work permit.
2. You were in Canada as of January 27, 2021, when the public policy took effect, and have stayed in Canada since then.
3. You either
   1. have temporary resident status (this could be from having a valid PGWP, visitor record, or another permit that allows you to stay in Canada), or
   2. lost your temporary resident status, but you’ve already applied to restore it, or
   3. lost your temporary resident status, but you’ll apply to restore it at the same time as you apply for this open work permit
4. You include in your application that you’re applying for an open work permit under this public policy.
5. You have a valid passport.
   1. The work permit will be issued for up to 18 months from the date of approval or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. For example, if your passport is valid for 6 months, then you will be issued an open work permit for 6 months.
   2. To maximize the duration of the open work permit, make sure your passport is valid for at least 18 months from the date of approval.

How to apply

You must apply online by July 27, 2021, for this open work permit.

You can only get this open work permit once, and it cannot be extended. If your passport is valid for 18 months or longer, then you’ll be issued an open work permit for 18 months.

Step 1: Make sure you have what you need

To apply online, you need

• a scanner or camera to create electronic copies of your documents
• a valid credit or debit card

Step 2: Read the instruction guide

You should read the instruction guide before you complete your application. The guide will explain how to complete each field on the form.

If the printed expiry date on your Venezuelan passport has passed

If the printed expiry date has passed and you’re applying for a visitor visa, study permit, work permit or to extend your stay as a temporary resident in Canada, follow these steps:

1. Add 5 years to the printed expiry date shown on your passport and enter it in the expiry date field of the application form.
2. Include a letter of explanation with your application stating: “I am a Venezuelan national with a Venezuelan passport, which has been extended for 5 years”.

Warning: If your passport is still expired after adding 5 years to the printed expiry date, your passport is considered expired. You’re not eligible to submit an application with that passport.

Step 3: Pay your fees

In most cases, your fees will include processing fees for you and anyone you include on your application. We’ll ask you to pay your fees at the end of your application.

For this application, you’ll need to pay the

• work permit fee
• open work permit fee
  • You’ll be asked to pay this fee up front, but you’ll be automatically refunded once your application is being processed.
• fee to restore your status in Canada if your temporary resident status has expired more than 90 days ago
  • Find out how to restore your status as a temporary resident in Canada.

Step 4: Create your online account or sign in

You need an account to apply online. You can use your account to

• pay your fees
• submit your application forms
• check your status

How to start your application

Once you sign in to your account, you’ll need to:

• Go to the Start your application section on the account welcome page.
• Click “Apply to come to Canada.”
• On the next page, scroll down to the I do not have a personal reference code section.
• Click on the “Visitor visa, study and/or work permit” button.

Get your document checklist

You must answer some questions to create a personalized document checklist.

Make sure you answer these questions correctly

• You would like to work temporarily.
  • Answer either less than or more than 6 months.
• You must select worker as your current immigration status.
• Answer “yes” when asked

Does one of the following apply to you:

• I am subject to a removal order that is unenforceable
• I applied for a study or work permit before entering Canada which was approved, but not issued at a port of entry
• I am in primary or secondary school, or a visiting or exchange student, in Canada with visitor status
• I am applying for an open work permit under an active public policy or pilot program announced by IRCC
• I am a student who has completed a program of study that is a prerequisite to my enrolment at a designated learning institution with visitor status in Canada
• I applied for permanent residence and was found eligible (first stage approval) under one of the following classes:
  • Spouse or Common-law Partner in Canada
  • Humanitarian and Compassionate cases
  • Protected Persons in Canada
  • Live-in Caregiver in Canada

Upload the correct documents

You need to include the documents listed in your application, including

• a letter that says you’re applying for an open work permit under the Public Policy Facilitating the Issuance of an Open Work Permit to Former or Current Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) Holders

Apply online only.