The Canadian government has announced the immediate end of a temporary public policy that permitted visitors to apply for work permits from within Canada.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) implemented this measure in August 2020 in response to the unique challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. With the easing of pandemic-related restrictions and a renewed focus on immigration control, the IRCC has now decided to rescind this policy.
Initially introduced to support visitors who found themselves stranded in Canada due to the pandemic, the policy allowed them to apply for work permits without having to exit the country. This was a significant deviation from the standard immigration procedure, which typically requires individuals to apply for work permits from outside Canada.
Additionally, the temporary work policy extended to foreign nationals who had held work permits in the preceding 12 months but had shifted to visitor status. These individuals were granted the ability to work legally while their new work permit applications were under review.
The policy was originally set to expire on February 28, 2025, but IRCC has brought forward its termination. According to IRCC, this decision is part of a broader effort to recalibrate the number of temporary residents in the country and maintain the integrity of Canada’s immigration system. There have been concerns that the policy was being exploited, with some individuals using it to deceive foreign nationals into working without proper authorisation.
“While the policy served its purpose during the pandemic, it is now time to return to the standard processes that ensure fairness and order in our immigration system,” an IRCC spokesperson said. “We are committed to preserving the integrity of Canada’s immigration policies and ensuring that those who come to Canada do so through legal and transparent channels.”
Despite the policy’s abrupt end, IRCC has assured that applications submitted before August 28, 2024, under this temporary policy, will still be processed. This move provides some relief to individuals who have already begun the process and are awaiting decisions on their work permit applications.
The termination of this policy is expected to have a significant impact on temporary residents and employers in Canada. For many visitors who have integrated into the Canadian workforce over the past few years, this change may necessitate a return to their home countries to apply for work permits, thus altering their plans.
Employers, too, may feel the effects, as the policy allowed them to retain skilled workers who were already present in the country. With the closure of this pathway, businesses will need to revert to the traditional channels of hiring foreign talent, potentially facing longer wait times and increased procedural complexities.