Open work permit for Cubans in Canada

[Helphelphelp]

Hi!
I am trying to help some people apply for an open work permit extension. Unfortunately, some of the questions on the form do not apply. They do not have passports (they're from Cuba), so they can't fill out that information on the form. This means that they cannot validate the form, so it will probably not go well when they send it for processing. Also, the IRCC computer system is glitching so they have to apply on paper - despite the fact that the IRCC keeps insisting that they apply online. What do I do?

 

[scylla]

Hi!
I am trying to help some people apply for an open work permit extension. Unfortunately, some of the questions on the form do not apply. They do not have passports (they're from Cuba), so they can't fill out that information on the form. This means that they cannot validate the form, so it will probably not go well when they send it for processing. Also, the IRCC computer system is glitching so they have to apply on paper - despite the fact that the IRCC keeps insisting that they apply online. What do I do?

We can't help you without more information.

On what basis are they applying from open work permit extensions?

 

[Helphelphelp]

The basis of their application is complicated. Cubans who spend more than two years away from Cuba lose their residency and, in some cases, their citizenship. They are not usually eligible for any other kind of status in Canada and so, in the absence of any other possible legal status in either country, they apply for open work permit extensions.

 

[canuck78]

The basis of their application is complicated. Cubans who spend more than two years away from Cuba lose their residency and, in some cases, their citizenship. They are not usually eligible for any other kind of status in Canada and so, in the absence of any other possible legal status in either country, they apply for open work permit extensions.

Open work permits are only available in some very specific circumstances. They don’t seem to fit those requirements.

 

[Helphelphelp]

The open work permits are usually only available in specific circumstances, but all the Cubans I know have these kinds of perpetually-renewed open work permits.

 

[canuck78]

The open work permits are usually only available in specific circumstances, but all the Cubans I know have these kinds of perpetually-renewed open work permits.

It is highly unlikely they are open work permits.

 

[Helphelphelp]

Having personally seen several of them, I can say that they are definitely open work permits.

 

[canuck78]

Having personally seen several of them, I can say that they are definitely open work permits.

Do they have spouses who are student or skilled workers? Are they being sponsored by a spouse? Other than that there aren’t a ton of reasons why they would have open work permits.

 

[Helphelphelp]

No, none of the above. They are essentially stateless and ineligible for refugee status.

 

[canuck78]

No, none of the above. They are essentially stateless and ineligible for refugee status.

That isn’t something other Cubans will be able to apply for. They have been rejected for asylum but Canada is unable to deport them so they are in a form of limbo and they are currently able to work. If/when they are able to be deported they will be. They aren’t stateless if they are Cuban.

 

[Helphelphelp]

OK, not stateless. But how do we apply for the open work permit renewal?

 

[canuck78]

OK, not stateless. But how do we apply for the open work permit renewal?

They would be applying for an extension of their work permit like other asylum claimants.

 

[Helphelphelp]

How do I apply without hardly any of the requirements - personal history, passport, validated form, online application, etc.?

 

[canuck78]

How do I apply without hardly any of the requirements - personal history, passport, validated form, online application, etc.?

How do they not have a personal history? Why can’t they apply online? They will have to apply based on the information they have and will have to explain the missed information. Do they have an expired passport?