From August 28, Visitor to work permit policy ends in Canada.
Overview
The aforementioned policy was put into effect in August 2020 to offer assistance to visitors in Canada who faced challenges returning to their home countries due to border closures related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Under this policy, they were allowed to apply for a work permit without leaving Canada. Additionally, individuals who had held a work permit within the previous 12 months but had changed their immigration status to “visitor” became eligible to “work legally in Canada while waiting for a decision on their new work permit application.”
The Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has made a significant policy change by ending the temporary public policy allowing visitors to apply for work permits from within Canada.
This decision is effective immediately, as of August 28, 2024, although the policy was originally set to expire on February 28, 2025.
However, applications submitted before August 28, 2024, will still be processed under the now-defunct policy.
However, its termination marks a new phase in Canada’s immigration landscape, closing the backdoor for disingenuous visitors to exploit the policy.
THE ORIGIN: “The Temporary Policy That Made a Difference in Canada”
During the unprecedented challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, a temporary policy was implemented. Travel restrictions, lockdowns, and border closures left many visitors stranded in Canada with no clear path forward.
In response, IRCC introduced a policy that allowed visitors already in the country to apply for a work permit without having to leave. This was especially helpful for those who previously held work permits and were forced to change their status to “visitor” due to job losses or other disruptions caused by the pandemic.
The policy also permitted these individuals to start working while their new work permit applications were being processed, providing much-needed economic relief.
Reasons for Termination:
The decision to end the policy ahead of schedule has been positioned as part of IRCC’s broader efforts to manage the number of temporary residents in Canada and ensure the integrity of the immigration system. The official press releases highlighted concerns that the policy might be exploited to trick foreign nationals into working without proper authorization.
The IRCC has stressed the importance of adjusting the temporary resident population in Canada, which has increased significantly since the start of the pandemic.
The government is now prioritizing the maintenance of a balanced and fair immigration system that aligns with the country’s long-term economic and social goals.
What Impact Will This Have on Canada Visitors?
If you are currently in Canada as a visitor and were intending to apply for a work permit under this policy, the abrupt termination of the policy is likely to cause significant disruptions.
Visitors who did not apply before the cut-off date will now need to consider alternative options if they wish to work in Canada. This may involve leaving the country and reapplying from abroad or exploring other immigration pathways that allow for work authorization.
A CLOSER LOOK AT THE NUMBERS: “Temporary Residents in Canada”
The end of this policy coincides with a period of exceptional growth in the number of temporary residents in Canada.
Recent data shows a substantial rise in the temporary resident population due to an influx of temporary foreign workers and international students over the past few years.
In 2023, Canada was home to over 800,000 international students and more than 400,000 temporary foreign workers. Since then, these numbers have significantly increased.
The recent increase in temporary population has raised concerns about the country’s ability to manage such a large influx, especially in terms of housing, social services, and integration into the labour market.
The decision by IRCC to end the policy reflects a broader strategy to address these challenges by tightening the rules for temporary residents and ensuring that those who stay in Canada do so through appropriate and regulated channels.
THE ROAD AHEAD: “Important Information for Canadian Visitors”
For visitors currently in Canada, the end of this policy means that applying for a work permit from within the country is no longer possible.
Those in Canada on a visitor visa who want to work will need to explore other immigration options. Some alternatives include:
- Applying for a Work Permit from Outside Canada: If you’re outside Canada and want to apply for a work permit, you can leave Canada and apply from your home country or another country where you have legal status.
- This process involves getting a job offer from a Canadian employer and, in most cases, obtaining a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
- International Mobility Program (IMP): This program allows certain foreign nationals to work in Canada without requiring an LMIA.
- However, the eligibility criteria are strict, and not all visitors will qualify.
- Studying in Canada: Enrolling in a Canadian educational institution can lead to obtaining a study permit, which may include authorization to work.
- However, this option requires significant financial and time commitments.
- Visitor to Permanent Resident (PR) Pathways: While uncommon, certain immigration pathways facilitate the transition from visitor status to permanent residency, particularly for individuals with close family connections in Canada or those who satisfy specific humanitarian criteria.
- Exploring Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs): Some provinces offer immigration programs that allow temporary residents to apply for permanent residency and, in some cases, work permits.
- Visitors can explore the options available through various PNPs to see if they qualify.
Read more about Work in Canada
Summary
The recent end of the temporary public policy, which allowed visitors to apply for work permits from within Canada, represents a significant change in the country’s immigration system.
Although the policy offered much-needed flexibility during the COVID-19 pandemic, its termination shows IRCC’s dedication to adjusting the temporary resident population and safeguarding the immigration system’s integrity.
Visitors in Canada will now need to adapt to this new reality quickly and explore alternative pathways if they intend to work or stay in the country for an extended period.
The decision’s impact on the broader landscape of temporary residency in Canada will be closely monitored by the immigration community, as well as its implications for the future of immigration policy in the country.
As Canada grapples with the intricacies of post-pandemic immigration, it is evident that the nation remains steadfast in its commitment to upholding a fair, transparent, and equitable immigration system that serves the best interests of all Canadians.
Future Expectations
The recent changes announced by the Government of Canada are similar to the pandemic-era immigration policies introduced during the COVID-19 crisis. Many of these changes are rollbacks aimed at addressing labor needs. For example, temporary policies allowed Canadian employers to hire up to 30% of their workforce through the Low-Wage stream of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) and extended the validity period of a Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to 12 months.
Last May, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) began repealing these pandemic-era policies. Employment Minister Randy Boissonnault and Immigration Minister Marc Miller announced this during a joint press conference.
Minister Miller also made history by including temporary resident levels in the annual Immigration Levels Plan for the first time. Immigration has been a significant topic in Canada, with announcements focused on managing and reducing temporary resident levels within the country. Minister Miller has also indicated an intention to consider changes in permanent residence levels in the coming years.
