Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has issued a program delivery update to its public policy on open work permits for applicants under the temporary resident to permanent resident (TR-to-PR) pathway. The changes were posted on February 13, 2026, and are intended to clarify procedures used by officers when assessing applications.
The update is part of ongoing operational guidance shared by the department as a courtesy to stakeholders, including applicants, employers, and immigration representatives.
Key changes in the February 13 update
1. New “Refusals” section added
IRCC has introduced a dedicated section outlining how refusals will be handled under the public policy. This addition provides more transparency on scenarios where open work permit applications may be refused and how officers should document those decisions.
2. Clarification for family members applying before entry
The instructions now confirm that family members applying for open work permits from outside Canada do not need to hold temporary resident status at the time of submission.
Previously, wording around this requirement caused confusion, particularly for spouses and dependants applying before entering Canada.
This correction ensures that only applicants inside Canada must hold valid temporary resident status when submitting their open work permit application under the policy.
What this means for applicants
The update mainly provides clarification rather than introducing new eligibility rules. However, it is significant for families of TR-to-PR applicants:
- Family members outside Canada can apply for open work permits without needing valid temporary resident status at the time of application.
- Applicants inside Canada must still maintain valid status when applying.
- The new refusals section may lead to more consistent decision-making and clearer reasons when applications are refused.
Why this matters
Program delivery updates help ensure that applications are assessed consistently across cases. For applicants under the TR-to-PR pathway in Canada, clearer instructions reduce uncertainty and help families plan work and travel arrangements more effectively.
Applicants and representatives are encouraged to review the updated guidance and ensure that all submissions meet the clarified requirements, especially when including family members applying from outside Canada.