Canada Discontinues Policy Allowing Visitors to Obtain Work Permits

Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has stopped a special rule that let visitors apply for work permits while staying inside Canada.

This rule was supposed to last until February 28, 2025, but it will now end early, on August 28, 2024, according to Immigration News Canada. 

But don’t worry, if you applied before August 28, 2024, your application will still be processed as per the old rule. 

This special rule started in August 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many visitors couldn’t leave Canada due to travel restrictions, lockdowns, and border closures. The rule was a way for foreign visitors to stay and work in Canada when they couldn’t go back home. Now that the rule is ending, people will need to find other ways to stay or work in Canada. 

Why Was the Rule Ended Early? 

The government wants to keep the number of temporary residents manageable and make sure the immigration system is fair. 

There were also concerns that some people might use the system to work without proper authorization.

The IRCC says they need to balance the number of temporary residents since the number has grown a lot during the pandemic.

The government wants an immigration system that supports Canada’s long-term economic and social goals.

What This Means For Current Visitors

If you are a visitor in Canada and planned to use this rule to get a work permit, you now need to find other options:

• Applying from Outside Canada:

One way is to leave Canada and apply for a work permit from your home country or another place where you have legal status. This usually means you need to get a job offer and maybe a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). 

But keep in mind, Canada plans to pause processing LMIAs starting September 26, 2024.

Other Options

Some programs in Canada might help temporary visitors:

Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs):  

Some provinces have programs that let temporary visitors apply for permanent residency or work permits. Check if you qualify for any of these programs.

International Mobility Program (IMP): 

This program allows some foreign nationals to work in Canada without an LMIA, but not everyone will qualify.

Studying in Canada: 

Getting into a Canadian school can lead to a study permit, which might also let you work. 

But remember, studying in Canada requires you to have enough money to support yourself.

Important Points

The end of this rule comes at a time when there are many temporary residents in Canada. 

Last year, Canada had over 800,000 international students and more than 400,000 temporary foreign workers. 

The high number of people has raised concerns about housing, social services, and job opportunities, causing debates among locals. 

Visitors now need to look for new ways to work or stay in Canada.