IRCC Extends TR to PR Open Work Permit to December 31, 2026 – Your Complete Guide

Canada has moved again to keep workers and families stable while permanent residence files move forward. On October 6, 2025, IRCC extended the public policy that lets eligible applicants in the temporary resident to permanent resident – TR to PR open work permit pathway hold until December 31, 2026. Even better, certain family members outside Canada are now eligible, which speeds up reunions and reduces the need for repeated renewals.

This article breaks down who qualifies, what changed, how to apply, and the fastest way to avoid refusals. Simple steps. Plain language. Canada-first.

What Changed and Why It Matters

• End date extended to Dec 31, 2026. Fewer renewals. Less paperwork. More work stability.
• Broader family reach. Spouses, common-law partners, and dependent children inside or outside Canada may qualify when tied to an eligible principal applicant.
• Policy roots. The measure builds on the 2021 and 2022 TR to PR public policies that kept applicants employed while files moved through IRCC.

Bottom line: If you filed under the 2021 TR to PR streams and still await a decision, the TR to PR open work permit can carry you through to the end of 2026.

Quick Check: Are You Likely Eligible?

Principal Applicants (inside Canada)

You may qualify if you:

• Live in Canada.
• Applied in 2021 under one of the TR to PR streams (health, non-health essential workers, international graduates, or their French-language variants).
• You were authorized to work when you applied (valid work permit or other lawful work authorization).
• Met the language requirement for your stream at the time of application.
• Now have a valid temporary status, maintained status, or are eligible to restore status when you apply for the work permit.

Family Members (in Canada or Abroad)

You may qualify if you:

• Are the spouse, common-law partner, or dependent child (18+) of the principal applicant.
• Apply online and are listed as accompanying in the PR application.
• If in Canada, you hold valid status, maintained status, or qualify to restore.
• The principal applicant is eligible and applies under this policy. (If the principal does not apply, the family member’s application will be refused.)

Step-by-Step: How to Apply Online (No Fluff)

1. Prepare Documents
   • Scan clear copies; have a credit/debit card ready.
   • Keep your fee receipt; you will upload it.
2. Pay the Correct Fee
   • Pay $155 (work permit processing fee).
   • Do not pay the $100 “open work permit holder” fee.
3. Create/Sign in to Your IRCC Account
   • Go to Start your application → Apply to come to Canada → Work.
4. Answer Questions to Get Your Checklist
   • Be consistent with your original TR to PR stream details.
   • Family abroad will answer a slightly different set of questions but follow the same online flow.
5. Complete the Work Permit Form
   In Details of intended work in Canada:
   • Type of work permit: Open work permit.
   • Job title:
     • First permit under this policy: TRPR pathway PP OWP
     • Extension under this policy: TRPR pathway PP OWP-EXT
   • Brief description of duties: Write the name of your TR to PR stream, for example:
     • Workers in Canada: Health care
     • Workers in Canada: Essential non-health care
     • International graduates from a Canadian institution
     • French-speaking variants, as applicable
   • Dates:
     • Choose a start date.
     • End date no later than Dec 31, 2026 and not beyond passport/biometrics expiry.

For Family Members

5. Use the principal applicant’s UCI in the “Brief description of duties” field instead of the stream name.
6. Upload Everything
   • Proof you filed the 2021 TR to PR PR application (email/letter).
   • Language test proof from when you applied (if you’re the principal).
   • Status documents (or proof of maintained/restoration eligibility) if in Canada.
   • Relationship proof for family members (marriage certificate, proof of common-law, or proof of dependency).
7. Submit and Track
   • Watch your account for messages, biometrics, and any extra document requests.

Pro Tips to Avoid Delays

• Match the policy language exactly (TRPR pathway PP OWP / OWP-EXT) in the job title field.
• Check passport validity – Your permit cannot extend beyond your passport expiry. Renew your passport first if needed.
• Upload proof of your original TR to PR submission. IRCC needs a clear tie to your 2021 file.
• Family abroad: ensure the principal has applied under this policy before you submit a family application.
• Keep your email consistent with your PR file to avoid linkage issues.
• Restoration cases: include proof you qualify to restore (and the right forms/fees if IRCC requires them).

Who Benefits Most From this Extension?

• Essential workers and health-care staff who filed in 2021 and still await final PR decisions.
• International graduates who need uninterrupted work to secure experience and meet employer needs.
• French-speaking applicants and their families tied to the 2021 French streams.
• Employers who rely on continuity and do not want to lose trained staff over paperwork gaps.

Case Snapshots

• Maya, international graduate (Toronto): PGWP expiring in January 2026. She files for the TR to PR open work permit in September 2025, gets coverage to Dec 31, 2026, and avoids a stop-work period.
• Abdi, essential worker (Edmonton): His spouse and 19-year-old child are abroad. After Abdi applies under the policy, his family files online as eligible family members and obtains open permits to reunite sooner.
• Renée, French-Speaking Nurse (Moncton): She uses TRPR pathway PP OWP-EXT to bridge to late 2026 while her PR decision is pending.

Common Mistakes that Trigger Refusals

• Paying the wrong fee (adding the $100 open OWP holder fee).
• Listing the wrong permit type (selecting employer-specific instead of Open).
• Missing proof of 2021 TR to PR PR submission.
• Family member applies before the principal submits under the policy.
• Asking for a permit past Dec 31, 2026 or beyond passport expiry.

Canada needs stable teams in health care, skilled trades, food processing, logistics, and community services. The extension limits churn and keeps trained people at work while IRCC finishes permanent residence decisions. Opening the door to family members abroad also supports settlement, retention, and labour force attachment in the right places.

If you filed under the 2021 streams and still wait for PR, the TR to PR open work permit is your best tool to keep your status, your job, and your plans intact through December 31, 2026. Apply online, pay the correct fee, use the required wording, and upload the right proofs. For families, coordinate with the principal’s file so everyone moves forward together.

Need a second set of eyes before you submit? Stay updated with Canada Immigration News that helps applicants and employers map the steps, prepare clean packages, and avoid simple errors that cost time.