Visit Visa Holders No Longer Permitted to Apply for Work Permit From Within Canada as Temporary Policy Ends

On August 28, 2024, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has officially ended a temporary public policy that allowed visitors in Canada to apply for work permits without leaving the country. This change, which took immediate effect, marks the conclusion of a policy that has been in place since August 2020.

Background of the Policy

The temporary policy was initially introduced in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to unprecedented global travel restrictions. With many visitors unable to leave Canada due to these restrictions, IRCC implemented this policy to provide a pathway for these individuals to transition to temporary work status without having to return to their home countries. This measure was particularly beneficial for visitors who had previously held work permits but had shifted to “visitor” status amid the uncertainty of the pandemic.

Policy Termination

While the policy was initially set to expire on February 28, 2025, IRCC decided to terminate it earlier as part of a broader strategy to manage the number of temporary residents in Canada. The decision is also aimed at safeguarding the integrity of the immigration system, which IRCC believes was being compromised by some who misused the policy. According to the IRCC, there were instances where certain individuals and entities were exploiting the policy, misleading foreign nationals into working in Canada without proper authorization.

Impact on Applications and Foreign Nationals

Despite the policy’s termination, IRCC will continue to process applications that were submitted under this policy before the cut-off date of August 28, 2024. This means that visitors who applied for a work permit prior to this date will still have their applications considered under the now-ended policy guidelines.

However, for visitors currently in Canada or those planning to visit, the option to apply for a work permit from within the country is no longer available. They will need to return to their home country to apply for a work permit, aligning with Canada’s standard procedures prior to the introduction of this temporary measure.

Future Considerations

The end of this temporary public policy is indicative of Canada’s shifting approach to managing temporary residency and employment amid evolving post-pandemic conditions. It reflects a recalibration of policies to better align with Canada’s long-term immigration and workforce strategies, focusing on maintaining a balanced and regulated flow of temporary and permanent residents.