Immigration Refugee Citizenship Canada (IRCC) recently announced a new temporary policy that enables temporary residents whose work permit, study permit or authorization has expired to stay after January 30, 2020. They will have until December 31, 2020 to apply to restore their status instead of the current 90 days.

Normally, former workers, students and visitors in Canada have to apply for restoration within 90 days of losing temporary resident status

This new policy allows former work permit holders with job offers to work while their restoration and work permit applications are being processed. If approved, applicants may be authorized to start their employment while they await a decision on their restoration and work permit applications. To be eligible for the interim work authorization, the foreign national must:

• have submitted an employer-specific work permit application with correct fees

• have held a valid work permit in the 12 months preceding the date on which they submitted their application for restoration of temporary resident status

• intend to work for the employer and/or occupation specified in the LMIA or LMIA-exempt offer of employment included in their work permit application

• have applied for the public policy exemption using the IRCC Webform

• have requested that the public policy exemption be applied until a decision is made on their work permit application

This policy is effective from July 14, 2020, until December 31, 2020.