Canadian Govt Extends Temporary Policy for Work Permits for Foreign Nationals in Canada

Foreign nationals who are in Canada as visitors can now apply for a work permit without leaving the country, thanks to a temporary policy extension until February 28, 2025. This benefits both applicants and employers facing labour shortages in Canada.
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The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on Wednesday, March 01 announced that foreign nationals who are in Canada as visitors and receive a valid job offer will be able to apply for a work permit without leaving the country.

It is worth noting that this temporary policy, which was set to expire on February 28, 2023, has been extended for an additional two years until February 28, 2025, due to the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The extension of this policy is good news for visitors looking for work in Canada because it eliminates the need for them to leave the country in order to obtain a work permit. Employers in Canada can also benefit from this policy as they are currently facing significant labour shortages.

Canada Extends Work Permits for Visitors in Canada

“Foreign nationals who are in Canada as visitors and who receive a valid job offer will continue to be able to apply for, and receive, a work permit without having to leave the country until February 28th, 2025,” said IRCC in a Tweet.

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Canada Extends Work Permits For Visitors in Canada

Previous Requirements for Working in Canada

Applicants seeking to work in Canada were previously required to apply for their initial work permit before arriving in Canada. They had to leave Canada if they were already in Canada with visitor status when they were approved for a work permit.

This caused applicants inconvenience and added unnecessary time to the process of obtaining a work permit.

Eligibility Criteria for Temporary Public Policy

To benefit from this temporary public policy, an applicant must meet certain eligibility criteria, including:

  • Having valid visitor status in Canada on the day of application.
  • Having a job offer that is supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or an LMIA-exempt offer of employment.
  • Submitting an application for an employer-specific work permit by February 28, 2025.
  • Meeting all other standard admissibility criteria.

Interim Work Authorization for Applicants with Visitor Status

Applicants with visitor status in Canada who have held a valid work permit within the last 12 months can follow special instructions to obtain interim work authorization and begin working for their new employer before their work permit application is processed. This allows them to start working for their new employer sooner.

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Bottomline

The extension of this temporary public policy allows visitors in Canada to obtain a work permit without leaving the country, making the transition to a new job easier. Employers in Canada can benefit from this policy as well, as they will have access to a larger pool of candidates to fill their job openings. Overall, this policy is a positive step towards making Canada’s immigration system more inclusive and accessible.


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Manish Khandelwal
Manish Khandelwal

Manish Khandelwal, a travel-tech enthusiast with over a decade of experience in the travel industry. Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Travelobiz.com, he's passionate about writing.

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