The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced the immediate end of a temporary public policy that allowed visitors in Canada to apply for work permits from within the country.
This policy, initially introduced in August 2020, was a response to the travel restrictions imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was intended to help visitors who were unable to return home due to border closures by permitting them to apply for work permits without leaving Canada.
Additionally, the policy allowed those who had previously held work permits within the last 12 months and had since changed their status to “visitor” to work legally while their new work permit applications were being processed.
Although this policy was originally scheduled to expire on February 28, 2025, the IRCC has decided to terminate it earlier than planned.
The decision is part of a broader effort to manage the number of temporary residents in Canada and ensure the integrity of the country’s immigration system.
READ ALSO: Canada To Stop LMIAs in Low-Wage Stream From September 26
The IRCC also noted that there were concerns about some individuals exploiting the policy to mislead foreign nationals into working in Canada without proper authorization.
The termination of this policy means that, effective immediately, visitors in Canada will no longer be able to apply for work permits from within the country. If they wish to apply for a work permit, they will now need to leave Canada to do so.
However, the IRCC has clarified that any applications submitted before August 28, 2024, under the now-terminated policy, will still be processed.
This decision by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to end the temporary public policy allowing visitors to apply for work permits from within Canada aligns with the government’s ongoing efforts to limit foreign employment and prioritize Canadian workers.
Just days ago, Canada announced that it would stop processing Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) under the low-wage stream for metropolitan areas with an unemployment rate of 6% or higher. This policy change, effective September 26, 2024, is part of a broader initiative to reform the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program, aimed at reducing the country’s reliance on foreign workers amidst rising unemployment rates.
These measures reflect the government’s response to the misuse of immigration programs and shifting labor market dynamics, as Canada seeks to recalibrate its approach to temporary residency and employment in favor of domestic talent.
