Program delivery update - December 22, 2014
This section contains policy, procedures and guidance used by IRCC staff. It is posted on the department’s website as a courtesy to stakeholders.
One Year Pilot – Issuance of open work permits to applicants for permanent residence under the spouse or common-law partner in Canada class
Summary
Effective December 22, 2014, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) will commence issuing open work permits to certain spouse or common-law partner in Canada class (SCLPC) applicants before the approval in principle decision is made.
Applicants who have already submitted an application for permanent residence under the SCLPC class but have not yet applied for an open work permit should complete a work permit application, include the appropriate fee, indicating that they are applying for an open work permit, and submit it to the Case Processing Centre in Vegreville, at the following address:
- CPC – Vegreville
- WP - Unit 777
- 6212-55 Avenue
- Vegreville, AB
- T9C 1X6
If an SCLPC applicant has already received approval in principle, they have the option of applying for an open work permit online.
New SCLPC applicants should complete a permanent residence application and an open work permit applications, include the appropriate fees, and submit both simultaneously to the Case Processing Centre in Mississauga.
CIC will begin issuing open work permits to eligible applicants in the current SCLPC inventory. SCLPC applicants whose permanent resident applications are received after December 22, 2014 will have their application for an open work permit processed within four months of receipt of their work permit application.
Standard medical requirements for open work permits apply.
After one year, CIC will assess this pilot and determine how to most effectively process open work permits for SCLPC applicants moving forward.