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In a significant shift in immigration policy, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has terminated a temporary policy that allowed visitors in Canada to apply for Canadian work permits from within Canada. This decision marks a departure from the more flexible approach adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic and aligns with the government's broader efforts to manage the influx of temporary residents who come to work in Canada.
Background of the COVID-19 Era Policy
Introduced in August 2020, the policy was designed to assist visitors who found themselves unable to return to their home countries due to the travel restrictions imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Under the policy, visitors in Canada could submit applications for Canadian work permits without the need to leave the country. Foreign nationals who had previously held work permits within the past 12 months but had subsequently changed their status to "visitor" were eligible to work legally in Canada while awaiting a decision on their new work permit applications.
Policy Termination
This change represents a rollback of pandemic-era policies that were implemented to address labor needs during the COVID-19 crisis. Immigration has become a central topic in Canada, with recent announcements focusing on managing and reducing temporary resident levels. Immigration Minister Marc Miller has also indicated his intention to consider changes in permanent residence levels in the coming years.
The termination of the temporary policy allowing visitors to apply for Canadian work permits from within Canada is part of a broader shift in Canadian immigration policies. This change aligns with other recent adjustments aimed at recalibrating the number of temporary residents in the country.
For instance, the Government of Canada has imposed restrictions on the number of foreign workers that employers can hire under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), limiting it to 10% of their total workforce. Additionally, the maximum employment term for workers in the Low-Wage stream has been reduced from two years to one year.
Early Termination
While the policy was initially scheduled to expire on February 28, 2025, IRCC has decided to end it prematurely as part of its broader efforts to adjust the number of temporary residents in Canada and safeguard the integrity of the immigration system.
Rooting Out Fraud
IRCC has acknowledged the presence of “some bad actors” using the temporary policy to drive foreign nationals to work in Canada illegally. This termination will, therefore, serve as a means of stamping out employment without authorization.
IRCC's Commitment to Processing Applications Efficiently
IRCC will continue to process work permit applications that were submitted before August 28, 2024, under the terms of the terminated policy.
In light of the policy change, IRCC has emphasized its commitment to processing Canadian work permit applications efficiently and transparently. The department has urged applicants to ensure that their submissions are complete and accurate to avoid delays.
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