Keep Status in Canada During the Pandemic

For those people on a study or on a work permit in Canada or those are just visiting and whose permit or visitor visa has expired, IRCC has granted you more time to seek an extension because of the covid-19 pandemic.

For those people on a study or on a work permit in Canada or those are just visiting and whose permit or visitor visa has expired, IRCC has granted you more time to seek an extension. Because of the covid-19 pandemic, temporary residents that are unable to leave Canada and/or have been unable to get the documentation needed to apply for an extension of their status, or have even been unable to travel back to their home countries as a result of travel restrictions in place around the globe, now have more time to apply to extend their temporary stay in Canada.

 

New Policy to extend or restore Temporary Status in Canada

This 90-day limit has been increased as follows: The time to restore your status or seek an extension has now been extended until December 31, 2020, under the following conditions. You must be:

• A temporary worker in Canada whose work permit expired after January 30, 2020, or
• A student in Canada whose study permit expired after January 30, 2020, or
• A visitor to Canada whose visitor visa expired after January 30, 2020.

You now have until December 31, 2020 to apply to extend your permit and/or restore your temporary resident status in Canada.

 

New ability to work while awaiting new Work Permit

Under the rules previously in place, you could not work if your work permit had expired and you were awaiting your new work permit in order to restore your temporary legal status in Canada. This policy has now been changed for employer-specific work permits. You should remember, however, that to be eligible to work while you are waiting for a decision on your application to restore your temporary worker status you must fulfill the following conditions:

• You must already have a job offer from a legitimate and eligible employer in Canada.
• Your work permit application must:
  • Be supported by a Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), or
  • Involve an LMIA-exempt job offer.
• You have to notify the IRCC through the appropriate process that you are applying to restore your status.
• You have to continue to meet the requirements of a temporary resident in Canada as well as the requirements of a temporary worker with a valid work permit.

Application process for an extension of Work Permit

You must be applying in order to:

• Extend your employer-specific work permit.
• Make changes to the conditions on your work permit such as:
  • The type of work you are able to do
  • Which employer you work for
  • The location of your work.

In the case of an Open Work Permit as long as you’re still eligible for an open work permit you should be allowed to extend your work permit.

You will need the following if you are applying online (the recommended way):

• A scanner or camera to create electronic copies of any required documents
• A valid credit or debit card.

Your employer must apply for a new LMIA from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)/Service Canada before you apply for an extension of your work permit.

If your job is LMIA-exempt, then your employer can submit a new offer of employment, and pay the employer compliance fee.

You should read Guide 5553 – Applying for a work permit inside Canada – extend, change conditions, initial and open work permits – online application. Go here to download and read the guide.

After answering a set of questions on the online tool, you will be given a personalized document check list. You can upload your forms and supporting documents after you receive this checklist.

You will need an online account to pay your fees, submit your application, and check the status of your application. Go here to open an account with IRCC. Go here for information on fees.

Application process for Extending a Study Permit

First you should ensure that your school remains on the DLI list (Designated Learning Institution list; go here). As with a work permit extension you’ll need a scanner or camera to make e-copies of your documents as well as a valid credit or debit card.

Go here to read your instruction guide, Guide 5552 – Applying to Change Conditions or Extend Your Stay in Canada – Student – Online Application.

The remaining steps are similar to those taken when extending a work permit (see above). Make sure that you pay the fees corresponding to extending a study permit. Go here for information on fees. As well, as with an extension of a work permit, when you apply online you will be asked a set of questions which will be used to put together a customized document checklist.

Application Process for Extending a Visitor Visa

The process is similar to the process for extending a work or study permit. You will need a scanner/camera to make e-copies of your documents as well as a valid credit or debit card. You will also need to open an account with IRCC if you are applying online which is recommended. Go here to open an account. Go here for more information on applying to extend your visitor visa. Go here to read Guide 5551 – Applying to Change Conditions or Extend Your Stay in Canada – online application. Go here for more information on fees.