WWICS Group Blog Open Work Permit Pilot for Sponsored Spouses and Common-law Partners Extended by IRCC Canada

The Open Work Permit Pilot for common-law partners and sponsored spouses to apply for permanent residence has been extended once again by the Government of Canada. On December 15th, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) released an update in which it stated that the pilot program under the Spouse or Common-law Partner in Canada (SCLPC) has been extended till January 31st, 2019. In the from IRCC, it has been stated that, this will ensure the applicants will be able to work and provide for their families along with contributing to the Canadian economy as they wait for their applications to be processed. The Open Work Permit Pilot program was launched on 2014. This is the third time in the series that this famous program has been extended. Last time it was extended on December 7th, 2016 and the extension was scheduled to expire on December 21st. Common-law partners or spouses who live in Canada and were sponsored by Canadian permanent residents or citizens under the SCLPC on an application for Canadian permanent residence will be eligible for open work permit. These candidates should also have a valid temporary resident status, either as a worker, student or visitor. They should be living at the same address as that of their sponsor. IRCC has stated that the pilot program will further the objective of Canada to reunite families. Family reunification is an important part of the immigration policies that are run by the Government of Canada, said IRCC. It has been found that when families are able to live and work together, the overall outcome is much better. How Open Work Permit can be Obtained When a new application is submitted by an applicant under the Open Work Permit Pilot program, a work permit application can also be submitted at the same time. Applicants who have submitted their application already for permanent residence but have not received a work permit still, may submit a separate application for work permit. IRCC has stated that people who have obtained a work permit by way of pilot program should apply for work permit extension before their current permit expires.