What changed on August 10

IRCC extensively revised the instructions used by officers for certain applicants who have been determined eligible in an in-Canada permanent-residence class. The former page title referring to LMIA-exemption code A70 was replaced with “Permanent resident applicants in Canada [R207 – A70] – International Mobility Program.”

IRCC also created an overview page, separated the guidance by class, standardized the format, clarified parts of the instructions and refreshed wording and links. This is a restructuring and clarification of the decision-making instructions, not a new permanent-residence program.

Who the A70 instructions cover

  • R207(b): eligible applicants in the spouse or common-law partner in Canada class.
  • R207(c): persons with protected status under A95(2), including Convention refugees and successful pre-removal risk assessment applicants.
  • R207(d): permanent-residence applicants approved for humanitarian and compassionate, ministerial public-policy or related considerations described in the official instructions.
  • R207(e): qualifying in-Canada family members of the covered applicants.

What the update does not do

The update does not make every person with a permanent-residence application eligible for an open work permit. The person must fit one of the R207 classes and meet the requirements of that class. An unrestricted open work permit may be issued only after those requirements are met.

The instructions apply to applications processed inside Canada. IRCC specifically notes that these applicants cannot submit this application at a port of entry.

Practical file review

  • Identify the exact R207 paragraph and permanent-residence class before relying on A70.
  • Confirm that the required eligibility determination or approval stage for that class has been reached; simply filing a PR application may not be enough.
  • Use the new class-specific page together with the general open-work-permit and permit-validity instructions.
  • Provide evidence of identity, current circumstances, the relevant PR-class decision and any qualifying family relationship.
  • Check the live IRCC instructions again before filing because program-delivery guidance and document requirements may change.
General information only

This article is not legal advice. Immigration rules and program instructions can change, and the result depends on the facts of each case.