Work Permit to Permanent Residency (PR) Canada

Can a Work Permit Holder Apply for PR in Canada?

A work permit is issued to a worker who plans to live and work in Canada temporarily. This document allows the worker to enter and remain in the country for a specific period of time. It also allows the worker to work in any industry, including agriculture, mining, or other sectors where there is currently a shortage of workers. A key benefit of a work permit is that it may allow you to obtain permanent residency in Canada.

It is important to understand work permits are not the same as work visas. A work permit is issued to a foreign worker in Canada who has a job offer from an employer. On the other hand, a work visa is issued to a foreign worker outside Canada who has been invited to come and work in Canada.

Extended Application Deadline

The application deadline for those wishing to apply for an open work permit on the Canadian temporary resident to permanent resident pathway has been extended to 31 December 2026.

If you’re still waiting for a decision on your permanent residence application submitted in 2021 under this pathway, you will be able to keep your temporary resident status and continue working without restriction while waiting for your application to be processed.

How to Get a Canadian Work Permit and Convert It to PR in Canada

To obtain a work permit in Canada, you must find an employer willing to employ you. Once you have secured work, the next step is to apply for a Canadian work permit. There are two paths to getting a work permit:

1. Find an Employer Who Wants to Offer You a Job

Various industries in the country have a shortage of workers, including agriculture, mining, and health care. If you find an employer willing to hire you in one of these sectors, you can apply for a work permit through the “Labor Market Impact Assessment” (LMIA) pathway.

2. If No Canadian Employer Offers You a Job

If you cannot find a Canadian employer to hire you, you must apply for a work permit through the “Express Entry” pathway. This pathway is offered to skilled workers, professional and technical workers, and provincial nominees. You can receive a work permit for up to three years if you are eligible. After this period, you can apply for permanent residency.

Finding Work in Canada and Preparing Your Work Permit to PR Application

After you have secured an offer of employment and received a work permit, you must then prepare your application for permanent residence.

The first step is to gather the necessary documents. As part of your application, you must also provide an employment contract between you and your Canadian employer.

In addition, you must have a valid medical exam. You must also show proof of funds to cover the cost of living in the country and that you have valid health insurance. You can apply for family sponsorship if you have a working partner who also holds a valid work permit. Once you have gathered all the necessary documents, you can apply for Canadian PR status.

How to Apply for Permanent Residency in Canada After a Work Permit

If you have been working in Canada on a valid work permit, you can apply for permanent residence through the “Skilled Workers” stream. This path is open to skilled workers, professionals, and those with a provincial nomination.

If you have been working in Canada on a valid work permit for at least one year, you can apply for a “Continuous Residency” bonus. This bonus allows you to receive extra points for your application.

Applicants who have worked in Canada on valid work permits for two years can apply for the “Canadian Experience Class” (CEC). This path is open to any skilled worker with a job offer from a Canadian employer. If you have been working in Canada on a valid work permit for at least 12 months, you can apply for a provincial nomination.

If you have been working in Canada on a valid work permit for three years, you can apply for an “Unsponsored” application. This path is open to skilled workers, professionals, and those with a provincial nomination.

Eligibility Requirements for Open Work Permit Holders to Apply for PR in Canada

You must meet the following requirements to be eligible for the open work permit. You must:

1. Live in Canada
2. Have submitted an application through one of the procedures from temporary to permanent residency.
   • You must have received either an email from IRCC confirming that you’ve successfully submitted your permanent residence (PR) application for one of the eligible pathways, or a letter from a Client Support Centre when you requested an alternative format application.
3. Be legally authorised to work with any of the following:
   • An approved work permit
   • A license to work with a work permit
   • A work permit issued in accordance with any public policy
4. Fulfill the language criteria for your preferred application pathway. You must also apply with legitimate language exam results. Additionally, your test results must come from an accepted French language test if you submitted an application for one of the French-speaking streams.
5. Hold valid temporary residence status or:
   • Have applied to extend your status before it expired (“maintained status”)
   • Be eligible to restore your status
   • Note that you’re not a temporary resident if you hold an open work permit and you’re a refugee claimant who’s waiting for a decision from the Immigration Refugee Board or appealing the Immigration Refugee Board’s decision on your claim

There may be further restrictions on your open work permit including only being able to work in certain locations. The restrictions will be listed on the permit. If you are unclear about work permit permissions you should reach out to an immigration expert for advice.

When Can You Apply for a Work Permit?

If you already have a valid work permit, you can apply via this route up to 4 months before your current work permit expires.

Your family members can also apply any time after you submit your permanent residence application.

If you don’t currently have a valid work permit, you can apply at any time as long as at least one of the following applies:

• You’ve maintained your status
• You’re eligible to restore your status
• You’re a spouse, common-law partner or a dependent child of a principal applicant for the permanent residence pathway

How to Apply (Step by Step)

The complete steps on how to apply for the work permit to permanent residency pathway are as follows:

1. Determine your eligibility and ensure that you meet all of the relevant requirements and eligibility criteria. Note that failing to meet the requirements or not submitting a complete set of supporting documents will result in a refusal and loss of application fees.
2. Create an online account on the official IRCC website and obtain the document checklist.
3. Download all the relevant forms to fill out:
   • Generic Application Form for Canada [IMM 0008]
   • Schedule A – Background/Declaration [IMM 5669]
   • Schedule 3 – Temporary Resident to Permanent Resident Pathway: Streams A & B and International Graduates (including French-speaking streams) [IMM 0130]
   • Additional Family Information [IMM 5406]
   • Supplementary Information – Your Travels
   • Additional Dependants/Declaration [IMM 0008 DEP] (if applicable)
   • Declaration from Non-Accompanying Parent/Guardian for Minors Immigrating to Canada [IMM 5604] (if applicable)
   • Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union [IMM 5409] (if applicable)
   • Use of a Representative [IMM 5476] (if applicable)
4. Fill in all the necessary forms (some may be optional) online and submit them through the portal.
5. Make an appointment to have your biometric information taken. You should do this within 30 days of receiving the letter from IRCC that instructs you to do so.
6. Pay your application fees online.
7. Await a response for your application.

How to Convert Your Work Permit to PR in Canada

To become a permanent resident in Canada, you must apply for a visa or fill out an application form for an immigration program. You must also include a copy of your work permit, proving that you are authorised to work in Canada.

You must also include a “Letter of Employment” from your employer, confirming that you are currently employed and have worked for the company for at least one year. You must submit all these documents with your application.

Once your application has been approved, you will receive a letter of invitation to apply for permanent residence in Canada. You must apply for permanent residence within the given time frame, usually six months. You must also include payment for the processing fees.

How IAS Can Help You Secure PR in Canada After a Work Permit?

Obtaining a Canadian work permit and working in Canada on a valid work permit is the first step toward gaining full citizenship. To become a permanent resident in Canada, you must apply for a valid visa or an immigration program.

As further documentation demonstrating you are authorised to work in the country, you must include a copy of your work permit. You will receive a letter inviting you to apply for permanent residency once your application has been accepted.

If you need help with any aspect of the immigration procedure, the immigration lawyers at IAS are pleased to assist you to reduce stress and improve your chances of success. Contact us at 0333 305 9375 to know more about our services and to start the process of making a successful application.