- The temporary residents in Canada, who hold a visitor visa, are no longer allowed to
apply for a work permit from within Canada.
- The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has ended the temporary public
policy, which was first introduced in August 2020 to help visitors in the country, who
could not return home due to the border closures in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Under the policy, visitors in Canada could apply for a work permit without having to
leave the country. In addition, foreign nationals who had held a work permit in the
previous 12 months but who changed their status in Canada to “visitor” could apply to
work legally in Canada while waiting for a decision on their new work permit
application.
- While the temporary policy was set to expire on February 28, 2025, IRCC is ending the
policy as part of our overall efforts to recalibrate the number of temporary residents
in Canada and preserve the integrity of the immigration system
- IRCC is also aware that some bad actors were using the policy to mislead foreign
nationals into working in Canada without authorization.
- IRCC will continue to process applications submitted before August 28, 2024 under the
policy.
- Visitors who are currently in Canada and wish to apply for a work permit must now leave
the country and apply from abroad. This will affect those who were relying on the policy
to switch from visitor status to work permit status without having to travel.
2. Update on public-private college partnership programs for international students - March 22,
2024 on January 22, 2024