Employer sponsored Closed Work Permit - job loss. What options for continuity?

[Venkibv]

Hello,
I am currently in Ontario on an Employer Restricted Closed Work Permit valid till Feb 2028 but I have lost my job (serving notice period for another 3 weeks). My Employer Sponsored/Restricted PR Application was submitted in April 2026, awaiting AOR. But soon after my last working day I think the Employer will notify OINP and IRCC and OINP will likely withdraw the nomination, and IRCC might stop processing my PR application.

My wife has a SOWP which is valid till Feb 2028.
My wife has just secured a job in a food store (but her Employer is probably not eligible to sponsor her a work permit).
My son has just started high school and continues to attend school.

Since my permit is valid till Feb 2028, I think/understand I can legally stay in Canada until such time.

My questions are, is there anything I can do to
(1) Protect my PR Application?
(2) Secure an Open Work Permit or any sort of work authorization to seek other job opportunities, either in my field of work or any other job so I can keep some income coming in while we figure out other immigration paths?

Thank you.

 

[Naturgrl]

1. If you were nominated through OINP and no longer working for the company then your PR application can be cancelled. Employer must notify IRCC and OINP that you are no longer an employee, and they are not supporting.
2. You are not eligible for an open work permit. You need another LMIA for a closed work permit. What is your citizenship? Is son on a study permit.

Your wife is on SOWP so she should be focusing on skilled work and PR if your PR is cancelled.

 

[Venkibv]

1. If you were nominated through OINP and no longer working for the company then your PR application can be cancelled. Employer must notify IRCC and OINP that you are no longer an employee, and they are not supporting.
2. You are not eligible for an open work permit. You need another LMIA for a closed work permit. What is your citizenship? Is son on a study permit.

Your wife is on SOWP so she should be focusing on skilled work and PR if your PR is cancelled.

Thanks for your response. Yes, what you have answered is my understanding too but I was wondering that given my family/son circumstances if there is *any way* for me to get a permit to seek job and work here. Yes, my son is on Study permit. Indian citizen.

 

[canuck78]

Would add that even if your employer doesn’t notify IRCC you are required to inform IRCC that you lost your job or else you could be found to misrepresenting on your application and end up with an up to 5 year ban from Canada. In some cases you are given a short period of time (normally up to 90 days) yo find another job and employer that could support your PR application but I’m not sure if Ontario is offering this and it would be highly unlikely for you to get another job and work permit in 90 days.

 

[canuck78]

Thanks for your response. Yes, what you have answered is my understanding too but I was wondering that given my family/son circumstances if there is *any way* for me to get a permit to seek job and work here. Yes, my son is on Study permit. Indian citizen.

You would have to secure another job and work permit like you did with your current job/work permit. It is a long process with no guarantee of success. The fact that your family is in Canada will not help you secure another work permit. Realistically you and your family have to determine how long you can live off your wife’s salary and savings and whether it makes sense to exhaust your savings if you would need to use your savings. Also whether your wife is likely to be able to qualify for any PR program. You also need to assess whether you would qualify for a WP at the moment in your current location. Also whether your NOC is in demand and if you are able to secure another job and work permit whether you have a decent chance of securing PR given you would be older at that point and that PR programs may have changed since you applied. Your family has to do a lot of research and make some tough decisions. It doesn’t always make sense to stay in Canada while you try to secure another job/work permit especially if you can’t live off of your wife’s current salary. She may need to take on a second job because she is the only one legally able to work at the moment and you would have to take on all the responsibilities at home so she could work a second job. Only you know your own circumstances but you all need to be realistic and recognize when it no longer makes sense to remain in Canada. I’m sure someone will suggest you apply for H&C. I fail to see how this would be an H&C situation but the processing time for new applications is decades and it doesn’t get you access to a work permit or prevent removal so not a good option in your case although you can technically still apply. Do not pay someone thousands of dollars to apply thinking this will help you remain in Canada.

 

[Naturgrl]

Thanks for your response. Yes, what you have answered is my understanding too but I was wondering that given my family/son circumstances if there is *any way* for me to get a permit to seek job and work here. Yes, my son is on Study permit. Indian citizen.

Your son is not relevant...there are no circumstances as he is not a citizen. Even if he was Canadian doesn't let you stay in Canada. He can return to your home with you if you don't get PR. You need to find a LMIA with closed work permit. You can learn French fluently if staying in Canada without working. Then may be eligible for French draws.

Once employer notifies province and IRCC that they are no longer supporting and you are not working there, then PR application will be cancelled.

 

[M A Hassan]

Everything above is sound, and canuck78's post in particular is worth reading twice. One thing I would add because it is the only piece here with a clock on it, and it has not been pinned down. Some provincial programmes have a defined window in which a nominee who loses their job can be supported by a new employer without the nomination being withdrawn outright. Whether Ontario operates that, and on what terms, is something OINP can tell you directly and nobody on a forum can. Worth a call this week rather than assuming the nomination is gone, because if such a window exists, it is the only thing standing between your application and cancellation. That is a question about your specific nomination, so ask OINP rather than IRCC. And a point on canuck78's misrepresentation warning, which is the most important thing in this thread. Notify IRCC yourself rather than waiting for your employer to do it. Doing it promptly and voluntarily is a completely different position from being found out later, and the difference is measured in years of inadmissibility rather than in the outcome of this application. On the practical side, one thing worth knowing while you have time. Your wife's SOWP runs to February 2028, and her work is independent of your permit, so her position does not change with yours. If she has skilled experience, her own PR eligibility is worth assessing properly rather than assumed away. That may be the family's stronger route rather than rebuilding yours.

 

[Copingwithlife]

Thanks for your response. Yes, what you have answered is my understanding too but I was wondering that given my family/son circumstances if there is *any way* for me to get a permit to seek job and work here. Yes, my son is on Study permit. Indian citizen.

Your family / son / circumstances are irrelevant