Maintain your status

If you are living in Canada during the immigration application process, you must maintain valid legal status. This means you must be authorized to enter and remain in Canada as a temporary resident for a specific period. Do not apply if you are in Canada without legal status.

You are responsible for maintaining your status in Canada, including your authorization to work. Immigration New Brunswick (ImmigrationNB) cannot guarantee that your application will be processed before the expiry of your current permit or status. Additionally, there is no guarantee that you will receive a provincial nomination or endorsement.

The federal government—through Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)—is responsible for all decisions with respect to legal status, including the approval or refusal of your temporary status in Canada.

• If your current work permit is expiring soon, you can visit IRCC’s Client Support Centre to learn more about renewing, changing, or extending your work permit.
• Your employer may also be able to support your work permit application by getting a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). Keep in mind that obtaining a new LMIA can be a lengthy process.

If you need personalized assistance, you may wish to contact a Canadian immigration lawyer or Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC). You must let ImmigrationNB know if you are using their services.

• Using a representative

If you are nominated, you may then be eligible to apply for a bridging open work permit (BOWP) or an employer-specific closed work permit. Refer to the Post-Nomination Guide for more information.

• Post-Nomination Guide

If you are endorsed under the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP), you may then apply for a closed work permit with the support of your employer.

• Apply for a work permit under the AIP

You may submit an immigration application to ImmigrationNB if you are a temporary resident with maintained status in Canada. Your status is maintained if you have applied to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada IRCC to renew or extend your period of authorized stay before it expires.

This also applies if your employer is applying to have your position endorsed under the AIP.

There are a number of things you should know when you are preparing an application. The Important Information for All Streams guide is a good place to start.

• Important Information for All Streams