Starting from July 26, the rules for obtaining this one-time permit will apply to international students who graduated from a Canadian institution, health care workers and those in other designated essential occupations, who have applied to one of six streams – three of which are exclusively for French speakers – under a temporary pathway to permanent residency.

While the capacity of the stream for international graduates – capped at 40,000 – was filled the day following its launch in May this year, applications for health care workers and French speakers remain open.

“Our new path to permanent residence for 90,000 essential workers and international graduates is a major step forward—the size, speed and scope of which is unprecedented,” said minister for immigration, refugees and citizenship Marco E. L. Mendicino.

“Our new path to permanent residence for 90,000 essential workers and international graduates is a major step forward”

“This new open work permit ensures that those who have been playing critical roles throughout the pandemic can continue their extraordinary service.

“Our message to them is simple: your status may be temporary, but your contributions are lasting—and we want you to stay.”

The ministry added that it recognised the “potential disruption and uncertainty for applicants who have an expiring work permit, and have been working to ensure that those who don’t qualify for existing measures won’t lose their temporary status and work authorisation”.

Applicants need to be already based in Canada, and permits issued under this policy will be valid until the end of 2022.