Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, a spouse/common law partner and dependent children can accompany or follow a temporary worker to Canada. In many cases, persons entering Canada on a work permit may request that an open work permit be issued for their spouse/common law partner. In some instances, children may require a study permit to attend school in Canada.

It depends. If a worker is a holder of an open work permit, then yes they may change employers at any time. However, if a worker is a holder of an employer specific work permit they cannot change employers. If an individual changes employers he or she must apply for a new work permit.

A person can legally remain in Canada under maintained status if they had submitted an extension of their permit before the expiry of their previous permit. Maintained status permits the individual to continue living in Canada under the conditions of the expired permit until a decision is made on the application.

If a temporary worker applies for a work permit extension before the expiration of the previous permit, he or she may continue working under the conditions of the previous permit. However, if he or she has applied for a work permit for a different employer, he or she must cease working when the permit expires and await the decision on the application.

Generally speaking, no. But there are exemptions. In certain circumstances it is possible for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident to sponsor an extended family member to immigrate. In order to sponsor such a relative, however, the Canadian must show that they do not have a spouse, common-law partner, child, parent or grandparent or child who is either a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident, or who is a foreigner that can be sponsored. For example, if a Canadian citizen is married, they cannot sponsor their uncle to immigrate. The program is designed to favour persons who do not have relations in Canada and have no possibility to sponsor immediate family.

If you have applied for PR through Express Entry ( or certain PNP, Agri-Food Pilot, Quebec skilled worker) AND you are awaiting a decision on your application, you may be able to apply for a bridging open work permit.

Bridging open work permits allow qualified applicants whose work permits are about to expire, (or those who maintained their status as workers or are eligible for restoration)  to keep working while they wait for a final decision on their permanent residence application.

A permit is not a travel document. In order to travel outside Canada, you need a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). 

Yes, you may. This is known as dual intent under Canadian Immigration Law. The possibility that an applicant for temporary residence may, at some point in the future, be approved for permanent residence does not absolve the individual from meeting the requirements of a temporary resident, specifically the requirement to leave Canada at the end of the period authorized for their stay.

A PGWP allows students who have graduated from eligible Canadian designated learning institutions (DLIs) to obtain an open work permit to gain valuable Canadian work experience.

Skilled Canadian work experience in National Occupational Classification (NOC) skill type 0 or skill level A or B  helps graduates qualify for permanent residence in Canada through the Canadian experience class within Express Entry.

Once you have finished your studies and your Letter of Completion first becomes available, you’re no longer eligible to work and must stop working immediately. 

Only after submitting your PGWP application, you may immediately begin working full-time while your application is being processed, if at the time you submit your application you:

Yes. Under the authority of R186(u) and R189, you are authorized to study under the same conditions as long as you remain in Canada. Therefore if your initial study permit allowed you to work you are eligible to continue to do so until the determination is made on your application.

Permanent residents must have a valid permanent resident card (PR card) or permanent resident travel document (PRTD) to return to Canada by plane, train, bus or boat. Without one, you may not be able to board.

However, if your PR card expires you are still a permanent resident. You will just have to apply to renew it. You may be able to travel to Canada regardless. Contact us for more information. 

Dual intent is present when a foreign national who has applied, or may apply, for permanent residence in Canada also applies to enter Canada for a temporary period as a visitor, student or worker.

Having 2 intents (initially for temporary residence and eventually for permanent residence) is legitimate.

While having dual intent is legitimate, it can make applying for a temporary resident visa more complicated.