The Canadian Council for Refugees (CCR) has just released the following information on work permits for refugee claimants:

Refugee claimants can now apply for a work permit or study permit by checking a box in the revised Schedule 12.

As of 23 October 2018, IRCC is using the information collected as part of the refugee claim process to automatically submit a work or study permit application for eligible refugee claimants who wish to receive one.

The revised Schedule 12 provides (at question 10) a question asking whether the applicants want to apply for a work permit or study permit.

If this box is checked:

• the application form for these permits is automatically generated. There is no need to submit a separate application form.
• the automatic application will be generated after their immigration medical examination has been completed by an IRCC-approved physician.

Address update

It is crucial that refugee claimants update their address with IRCC, either online or by calling the IRCC Client Support Centre (1-888-242-2100), to ensure their documents can be delivered without delay.

Claimants from a Designated Country of Origin

Refugee claimants who are citizens of a Designated Country of Origin must continue to wait 6 months from the date of their claim before they can submit an application for a work permit.

As of 20 December 2018, IRCC is still preparing information to post online about this new procedure. To consult this resource online, click here. Thank you to the CCR for compiling this information on these changes.