Canada Makes It Easier for Foreign Workers to Change Employers

Background

Many temporary foreign workers play a vital role in filling labour and skill gaps across different sectors in Canada. Usually, these workers come to Canada with the goal of working for the employer who made them a job offer and supported their work permit application.

However, sometimes things don’t go as planned. A job may end unexpectedly, the work environment may not be a good fit, or the worker may receive a better opportunity elsewhere. In such cases, the worker must apply for a new work permit before starting a new job. But under the regular process, they must wait for the new permit to be approved before they can begin working—which can take several weeks. This results in income gaps for workers and hiring delays for employers.

Why This Policy Was Introduced

The Canadian government wants to better use the talent already in the country while also slowing down the entry of new temporary workers. By allowing eligible foreign workers in Canada to start working for a new employer while their new work permit application is being processed, both workers and employers benefit:

• Workers avoid long breaks between jobs and maintain financial stability
• Employers can hire available, experienced talent already in Canada without long wait times
  
  

What the Temporary Public Policy Allows

Under this new temporary public policy, eligible foreign nationals in Canada can change jobs or employers more easily. If they already have a valid work status and a job offer under either the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) or the International Mobility Program (IMP), they can start working in their new role while waiting for IRCC to process their new work permit application.

This means they don’t need to wait for final approval to begin working in their new job.

Who Can Benefit

This policy applies to individuals in the following situations:

• Maintained status: Workers who applied for an extension before their old permit expired and are allowed to stay in Canada. However, they are still bound by the conditions of their old permit (such as job role and employer) and cannot work elsewhere until they receive a new permit.
• Valid work permit holders: Workers who still have a valid permit tied to a specific employer but now need to switch jobs (for example, due to layoffs).
• Work-permit exempt workers: Individuals who didn’t need a work permit for their previous job but do need one for a new role or employer.
  
  

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify under this policy, foreign nationals must:

1. Be in Canada with valid temporary resident status.
2. Meet the conditions under section 199(a) or 199(b) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations.
3. Have submitted a valid application for:
• A renewal of a current work permit, or
• A new work permit (for a different role or employer).
4. Have a job offer for the new role that is included in their work permit application.
5. Submit a request for exemption using IRCC’s official online method (or an alternative method if unable to apply electronically).
6. Clearly request that the exemption applies until a final decision is made on their new work permit.
   
   

What Rules Are Being Temporarily Waived

Eligible workers under this policy are temporarily exempt from the following rules:

• Paragraph 183(1)(b): The rule that says a person can’t work in Canada unless authorized.
• Subparagraph 185(1)(b)(i)-(iv): The conditions about the type of work, employer, and work schedule.
• Section 196: The requirement to hold a valid work permit to work in Canada.
  
  

These exemptions are only valid until a decision is made on the new work permit application or until the application is withdrawn.

Other Conditions Still Apply

This public policy does not change any other eligibility or admissibility rules. Applicants must still meet all other requirements under immigration law unless exempted under a separate policy.

Conclusion

This update provides more flexibility for temporary foreign workers in Canada by allowing them to switch jobs more easily. It helps keep skilled workers employed, supports Canadian employers in filling jobs faster, and promotes a fairer system for both parties.

If you're a temporary worker in Canada considering a job change, this policy could make the transition much smoother. Be sure to check your eligibility and follow the required steps when applying for your new work permit.