Refugee claimant work permit
Statutory definition
IRPR s 206(a) allows a work permit to be issued to a person who has made a claim for refugee protection and whose claim has been referred to the RPD. The permit is employer-specific unless the claimant is specifically eligible for an open work permit. The permit is issued for the duration of the RPD process and may be renewed during subsequent stages of review.
Explanation
The refugee claimant work permit allows claimants to support themselves financially while awaiting their RPD hearing, which can take 12–24 months or longer. Without this permit, claimants would need to rely entirely on provincial social assistance. The permit does not confer temporary resident status in the full sense — claimants remain in a conditional status pending the outcome of their claim. Claimants who are granted refugee protection and apply for PR may obtain a BOWP to continue working during the PR application process.