On May 10, 2023, a new policy came into effect to make it easier for foreign nationals and their families who submitted a complete permanent resident application in Canada as a spouse, common-law or conjugal partner to get open work permits. The old pilot program, which ended on May 9, 2023, no longer applies. Any pending applications received by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will be processed under this new policy. Applicants under the open work permit pilot program for permanent residence and in-Canada caregiver applicants and their families under the two caregiver pilots (C90 and C91) are no longer exempt. They must apply online following the new public policy.