Foreign nationals who lost their jobs due to coronavirus have the added burden of wondering whether they will also lose their status in Canada, and how the loss of employment will affect their status in Canada.
There are options for staying in Canada even after losing your job. If you are in Canada on a work permit, there may be the option to extend your permit or change your status to student or visitor provided you act before expiration . Even if your permit has already expired you can restore the status within 90 days after the expiration date.
Most temporary residents in Canada, including study and work permit holders, who have applied to renew their status are allowed to stay in Canada under the conditions of their original permit until a decision is made on their application.
Implied status lasts until a decision is made on the new application. If the application is approved, then the applicant can continue working or studying as per the conditions of their new permit. If not, foreigners have the option of leaving Canada or applying for restoration of status if it has been less than 90 days since their original permit expired
It is important to mention that work or study while waiting on a decision for restoration status, is not permitted.
Not all open work permit holders are eligible for renewal.
Some people will fall through the cracks and be unable to renew their open work permits unless the government implements special measures in light of these extraordinary circumstances.
