Canada Ends Policy Allowing Visitors to Apply for Work Permits from Within the Country

Ottawa, August 28, 2024—Canada has officially ended a temporary policy that permitted visitors to apply for work permits without leaving the country. The policy, introduced by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) in August 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, has been terminated effective immediately.

The temporary policy was initially put in place to help visitors who were unable to leave Canada due to pandemic-related travel restrictions. It allowed them to apply for work permits from within the country, thereby offering a financial lifeline for those stranded. Additionally, foreign nationals who had previously held work permits and later changed their status to “visitor” could apply to work legally while awaiting decisions on new work permit applications.

Reasons for Ending the Policy

IRCC’s decision to end the policy is driven by several key factors:

• Managing Temporary Residents: The policy contributed to a sharp rise in the number of temporary residents, which more than doubled from 1.4 million to 2.8 million in just two years. This increase placed strain on resources and services within Canada.
• Preventing Policy Misuse: Concerns arose over misuse of the policy, with reports of individuals being misled into unauthorized work. IRCC aims to prevent further exploitation and uphold the integrity of Canada’s immigration system.
• Rebalancing Immigration Levels: The Canadian government is also working to recalibrate the levels of temporary residents and foreign workers. Plans include reducing the number of temporary foreign workers by about 65,000 and implementing new restrictions on the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), such as capping the proportion of temporary foreign workers employers can hire.

Impact of the Policy Termination

While the policy’s termination marks a significant shift, IRCC will continue to process applications submitted before August 28, 2024, under the old rules. This ensures that applicants are not unfairly disadvantaged by the policy change.

Moving forward, Canada’s immigration framework is expected to see tighter regulations for temporary foreign workers and international students, aiming to stabilize the labor market and encourage businesses to focus on hiring Canadian workers.

The end of this temporary policy reflects Canada’s efforts to manage its immigration system more effectively amid the growing number of temporary residents. By tightening regulations, the government hopes to address challenges and maintain the integrity of its immigration process.