Canada Is Ending The Policy Allowing Visitors To Obtain Work Permits

Since August 24, 2020, temporary residents who are in Canada with valid visitor status have been able to apply for an employer-specific work permit from within Canada. This is a temporary regulatory change as normally foreign workers who are in Canada on a visitor’s visa cannot change status without leaving the country. Canada earlier extended this policy until February 28, 2022 but  extended it further by 2 years, until February 28, 2025. Leaving this temporary policy in place makes visitors an option for employers in Canada, as many are facing significant labour shortages during this period of economic expansion. This measure allows visitors to obtain work permits. However, as at August 28, 2024, Canada is ending the policy allowing visitors to obtain work permits while in Canada.

Why This Policy Was Introduced?

Canada introduced this measure in August 2020  to help employers who were having difficulty finding workers. In addition, it allows visitors facing visa status challenges due to the Covid-19 pandemic to be able to work in Canada. Under the policy, visitors in Canada could apply for a work permit without having to leave the country. In addition, foreign nationals who had held a work permit in the previous 12 months but who changed their status in Canada to “visitor” could apply to work legally in Canada while waiting for a decision on their new work permit application.

What happens now?

While the temporary policy was set to expire on February 28, 2025, IRCC is ending the policy as part of our overall efforts to recalibrate the number of temporary residents in Canada and preserve the integrity of the immigration system. IRCC is also aware that some bad actors were using the policy to mislead foreign nationals into working in Canada without authorization.

IRCC will continue to process applications submitted before August 28, 2024 under the policy.

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