The key announcements made today provide Canadian immigrants with more certainty.
Express Entry invites to FSWP and CEC candidates will resume by “early July,” according to Canada’s immigration minister, Sean Fraser.
Minister Sean Fraser also announced that Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) holders will be eligible for an open work permit extension of up to 18 months from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
An overview of the key announcements made today
In early July, Express Entry invites to FSWP, CEC, and FSTP candidates will resume.
The great majority of new Express Entry applications will be processed within six months of their submission. According to the IRCC, Express Entry processing durations currently range from seven to more than twenty months.
Beginning this summer, those possessing a PGWP that expires between January and December 2022 will be eligible for an additional open work permit of up to 18 months. The IRCC is working on a simpler procedure and will provide further information “in the coming weeks.” According to the IRCC, around 95,000 PGWPs will expire in 2022, and up to 50,000 PGWP holders could profit from this new open work permit.
Applicants will no longer be needed to remain in Canada for the whole processing of their application.
Applicants who apply for an open work permit while waiting for their permanent residency application to be approved will be granted work permits valid until the end of 2024. This will ensure that all applications for permanent residency are completed before applicants need to apply to extend their temporary status again.
Immediate family members listed in a principal applicant’s permanent residence application who are outside of Canada will be eligible for their own open work visa to support family reunification.