Canada Extends Open Work Permits for TR to PR Applicants Until 2026

By Joseph Parker [Published 06 Dec, 2025 | 06:35 AM] 109

The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has just announced a significant update for those awaiting permanent residence: open work permits (OWPs) under the Temporary Resident to Permanent Resident (TR‑to‑PR) Pathway are now valid through December 31, 2026.

This means eligible applicants and their accompanying family members can continue to live and work legally in Canada under a valid Canada work permit. At the same time, their permanent residence applications remain under review.

For thousands who applied under the 2021 TR-to-PR public policy, this extension brings much-needed stability and peace of mind: no more recurring renewals, fewer status worries, and greater time to plan their future.

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In the following sections, we’ll break down who qualifies under the new rules and exactly how the policy works so you know where you stand and what steps to take next.

Documents Needed for the New TR to PR Pathway

Make sure you have these essential documents ready to avoid delays and submit your TR to PR application as soon as the new pathway launches. Here is the list:

Document type	Supporting document(s)
Proof of language proficiency	Language test results
Proof of criminal background check(s)	Police certificates
Proof of education	-Educational Credential Assessments (ECAs), for foreign degrees -Transcripts, for Canadian degrees
Travel history	-Travel log -Airline booking confirmation -Passports
Support of employment	-Complete employment history -Reference letter(s) from employers -T4s (for work in Canada) -Copies of employment contracts
Proof of current employment in Canada	-Work permit -Employer reference letter -Pay stubs -Employment contract
Documentation of organizational affiliations	-List of organizations you’ve donated to and/or volunteered with -Reference letter(s) -Receipts for donations
Identity documents	-Passport -Birth certificate -Marriage documents -Adoption documents
Translations	-Certified translation(s) (for documents not in English or French) -Translator affidavit (if not a certified translator)

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For in-Canada applicants:

Document type	Supporting document(s)
Proof of status in Canada	-Valid temporary status document (work permit, study permit, visitor record) -Entry stamp, or electronic entry record -Evidence of maintained status (if applicable)

Documents needed for accompanying family members:

Document type	Supporting document(s)
Identity documents	-Passports -Birth certificates -Marriage documents -Civil status documents
Travel history	-Travel logs -Airline booking confirmations -Passports
Proof of criminal background check(s)	Police certificates

Documents required in specific situations only:

Document type	Supporting document(s)
Letter(s) of explanation	Letter(s) explaining any discrepancies or potential oddities, such as gaps in address, gaps in employment, missing documents
Proof of common-law relationship	Proof of address, joint leases, bills, bank accounts, credit cards.
Name change certificates	N/A

How does the 2026 TR to PR Work Permit Extension Work?

The 2026 extension of TR to PR Canada Open Work Permits (OWPs) is designed to help applicants maintain legal status and continue working in Canada while they await their permanent residence decisions.

Under this updated policy, IRCC has extended the validity of these open work permits until December 31, 2026, giving applicants far more time and stability than previous renewal cycles allowed.

For eligible applicants, the extension may apply in two ways:

Automatic Extensions: Some TR-to-PR applicants whose work permits are already in IRCC’s system may receive an automatic extension notice. IRCC will automatically update the permit validity, ensuring applicants can keep working while preparing for the new Canada PR 2026 pathway.

Simple Renewal Applications: Applicants who do not qualify for an automatic update may need to submit a renewal application. This process is typically straightforward and requires basic documents to confirm identity, status, and eligibility. Once approved, their Canada work permit will reflect the new 2026 validity date.

This extension also covers eligible family members, spouses, partners, and dependent children who hold or qualify for an open work permit under the TR-to-PR public policy while they apply for Canada PR.

Overall, the update ensures that applicants can work legally, avoid repeated renewals, reduce stress, and focus on their permanent residence process without worrying about their status expiring during long PR processing times.

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Source: canada.ca

Tags: Canada Open Work Permit Canada TR to PR pathway Canada immigration updates 2026 Canada TR to PR pathway requirements 2026 Canada immigration news for workers Canada PR application updates Canada immigration news