In a recent development, the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced that holders of visitor visas will no longer be allowed to apply for work permits while in Canada. This decision, which took immediate effect, was disclosed by the IRCC in a statement on Wednesday.
Originally, the temporary policy was scheduled to expire on February 28, 2025. However, the IRCC has decided to end the policy earlier as part of broader efforts to recalibrate the number of temporary residents in the country and maintain the integrity of its immigration system. The IRCC cited concerns about misuse of the policy by some individuals and groups, who were allegedly misleading foreign nationals into working in Canada without proper authorization.
Despite the new directive, the IRCC confirmed that it would continue to process applications submitted before August 28, 2024, under the previous policy guidelines.
The policy, initially introduced in August 2020, aimed to help visitors who were unable to return to their home countries due to COVID-19-related border closures. It allowed visitors to apply for a work permit without leaving Canada. Additionally, individuals who held a work permit in the 12 months prior and changed their status to “visitor” were permitted to work legally while awaiting a decision on their new work permit application.
The move marks a significant shift in Canada’s approach to managing its temporary residents and the pathways available for them to work legally within the country.
