Canada’s Open Work Permit: The announcement of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship was made by Minister of Immigration Sean Fraser. It is the ambition of Canada to develop the country’s very first Tech Talent Strategy with the goal of retaining and attracting highly skilled professionals to work in the technology industry.
One of the elements that are planned to be implemented is a new Canadian open work permit for certain holders of H1-B specialty occupation visas. This permit will enable successful candidates to work in Canada for up to three years for virtually any employer, regardless of location in Canada.
Who is eligible to apply for a three-year open work permit through the Tech Talent Strategy?
This program is intended to entice individuals with a high level of expertise who already possess a United States H1-B specialty work visa. The specific requirements for eligibility will be made available at a later date.
How do I apply for an open work permit for a period of three years through the Tech Talent Strategy?
Although IRCC has not yet made any announcements on the specifics of this initiative, it is highly anticipated that applicants will be required to use the secure account provided by IRCC in order to submit their applications.
What kinds of documentation am I going to need to apply for a three-year open work permit through the Tech Talent Strategy?
As part of the application process, prospective candidates need to be prepared to submit the following documents:
- Application forms that have been filled out in their entirety;
- A copy of an H1B specialized occupation visa;
- Copies of the applicant’s passport and documents proving their civil status;
- Evidence of the applicant’s work experience in the form of a CV, resume, or reference;
- And a digital photograph.
It is possible that extra paperwork will be required in accordance with the specifications of the program.
How much does it cost to get an open work permit for three years through the Tech Talent Strategy?
The applicant will be required to pay processing fees in the amount of $255 CAD, as is the case with all open work permit applications. Applicants might also be required to pay an additional cost of $85 CAD for their biometrics.
Do I need a job offer in order to receive a three-year open work permit through the Tech Talent Strategy?
Because this is an application for an open work visa, it is not necessary to receive a job offer from a Canadian employer in order to apply; all that is required is a valid passport. Applicants who are successful in their application will be granted an open work visa. This will allow them to work for any employer in any occupation across Canada, with a few specific exclusions.
How long will the Tech Talent Strategy open work visa that is good for three years be valid for?
Because of this scheme, the open work permit can be awarded for a period of up to three years at a time. However, just like with any other permission in Canada, the open work permit will only be valid up to the time that your passport runs out of validity, even if that time comes before the 3-year period.
In the event that your passport is still valid for a period of six months, for instance, you will be granted an open work visa for the same amount of time.
To get the most out of this program, check that your passport has at least four years left on it before applying for it under this program. This is because there may be delays in the processing of your application.
Do I need separate permission for my spouse and any children who are financially dependent on me?
This new effort also enables eligible wives or common-law partners, as well as children who are dependent on the applicant, to apply for a study or work permit to come to Canada for the period of the open work permit that the applicant has been granted.
When will the application for the Tech Talent Strategy 3-year open work visa be processed and how long will it take?
The waiting period for candidates seeking a work visa in the United States is now 5 weeks. It is not apparent whether Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada will make the processing of the Tech Talent Strategy 3-year open work permit a priority.
How many different ways are there for me to apply for permanent residency in Canada?
In addition to the open work permit initiative, the Canadian government has also announced the creation of STEM-specific draws within the Express Entry system. As a result, applicants who gain work experience in Canada under the Tech Talent Strategy 3-year open work permit will likely fare very well within the Express Entry system.
Is there a limit to the number of people who can submit an application for a three-year open work visa through the Tech Talent Strategy?
Yes, the IRCC’s present plan is for just 10,000 applications to be submitted for this particular program.
How long will it be until you can access this program?
The IRCC stated in the release that this initiative will continue active for another year or until 10,000 applications have been received, whichever comes first.
Summary on Canada’s Open Work Permit:
- Canada Tech Talent Strategy’s open permit.
- US H1-B holders eligible.
- Standards to be defined.
- Application requirements listed.
- 10,000 spots yearly.
Check out our Web Story at Canada’s Open Work Permit Tech Talent Strategy
