Active applicationsAs of December 13, 2016, an application in progress is no longer subject to cumulative duration, whether it is work with a permit [R200] or without a permit [R186]. However, officers must continue to be satisfied that the requirements of paragraph 183(1)(a) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR) are met, along with other eligibility criteria, such as the need for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
Clients who are within the restoration period may reapply for a work permit. Foreign nationals in Canada who do not hold a valid work permit and are not eligible to apply for restoration must apply for a work permit from outside Canada.
Applications under processingIn situations where the processing officer has requested that the client provide further evidence that they are within the four-year limit, the client may need to be contacted. The officer will inform the client that cumulative duration no longer applies, and further evidence is no longer required. Other eligibility criteria, such as the need for an LMIA, will be assessed.
Applications where a decision is made before December 13, 2016For applications where a final decision is reached before December 13, 2016, cumulative duration applies. Closed files will not be re-opened for reconsideration; however, an applicant previously refused solely on the basis of paragraph R200(3)(g) may submit a new work permit application if all other requirements are met. This includes the payment of any applicable fees.
Applicant in CanadaIf an applicant wishes to remain in Canada on a work permit and the period of time they have been working in Canada meets or exceeds four years, they may apply to extend their stay in Canada as a worker, provided they meet the eligibility requirements.
Applicant outside CanadaIf an applicant departed Canada because they had previously met the four-year cumulative duration limit, they may apply for a new work permit without having remained outside Canada for four years.

December 14, 2016—Ottawa, ON – Family reunification is a key immigration commitment of the Government of Canada. The Parent and Grandparent Program brings together thousands of families each year. For 2017, the Honourable John McCallum, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, today announced changes to how sponsorship applications will be submitted under the program.
In recent years, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada limited the number of parent and grandparent applications it would accept, in order to manage intake and interest in the program, and keep the number of applications from growing. Rather than the January rush to submit applications by courier or mail, those wanting to bring their parents or grandparents to Canada will now have 30 days to fill out an online form to indicate their interest. IRCC will then randomly choose 10,000 individuals from those who filled out the form, and those people will be invited to send in their complete application package.
The online form will be available starting January 3, 2017. Sponsors will have 30 days to submit the form.