Temporary Policy Allowing Visitors to Apply for Work Permits in Canada Comes to an End

The Canadian government has officially ended a special policy that allowed visitors to apply for work permits while staying in the country. This change is effective immediately.

The policy was first introduced by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) in August 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. At that time, travel restrictions made it difficult for visitors to leave Canada, so the government allowed them to apply for work permits without having to leave the country. Additionally, foreign nationals who had held a work permit in the past 12 months and changed their status to "visitor" could continue to work legally while their new work permit application was being processed.

Originally, this temporary policy was supposed to last until February 28, 2025. However, IRCC has decided to end it early to help manage the number of temporary residents in Canada and maintain the integrity of the immigration system. There were also concerns that some people were abusing the policy to work in Canada without proper authorization.

It's important to note that IRCC will still process applications submitted under this policy before August 28, 2024.

This change marks a significant shift in Canada's approach to managing its temporary resident population, ensuring that immigration rules are upheld while addressing any potential misuse of policies.