Visitors in Canada can no longer apply for Work Permit

Surya Rathee
[Published 30 Aug, 2024 | 04:20 AM]
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Owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, a temporary policy was introduced back in August 2020, which permitted Canada Visitor Visa holders who were unable to return home - to apply for a Work Permit from within Canada.

As of August 28, 2024, immigrants in Canada on a Visitor Visa will no longer be allowed to apply for a Work Permit from within Canada.

Initially set to expire on February 28, 2025, the policy is being ended early by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). According to IRCC, this decision is part of a broader effort to manage the number of temporary residents in Canada and maintain the integrity of the immigration system. The department has also clarified that applications submitted under this policy before August 28 will still be processed.

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Why was the policy revoked?

IRCC says that part of the early expiration of this policy is because it has come to the attention that many immigration consultants and representatives were using this policy to mislead immigrants into working in Canada without authorization. This decision also has ties into the department’s ongoing effort to combat widespread immigration fraud - as well as reduce temporary resident levels.

For instance, in 2023, 700 Indian students were found to be in Canada due to false letters of acceptance from Designated Learning institutions (DLIs). Many of these students were not aware that their letters were not genuine. In response, IRCC has now made it mandatory for DLIs to verify all letters of acceptance within 10 days of receiving the student’s Canada Study Visa application.

IRCC has also capped the number of international students that Canada will accept in the next two years.

BIGGER changes to temporary foreign worker levels

By September 26th, 2024, the Department will halt the processing of some Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) applications under the Low-Wage stream of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). This pause will affect applicants in Census Metropolitan Areas with an unemployment rate of 6% or higher.

Additionally, the IRCC has introduced new restrictions on foreign workers, limiting employers to hiring no more than 10% of their workforce under the TFWP. Furthermore, the maximum employment term for Low-Wage stream workers will be cut from two years to one year.

These changes mark a rollback of COVID-19 pandemic-era policies implemented to address labour shortages. During the pandemic, IRCC, in partnership with Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), allowed Canadian employers to fill up to 30% of their workforce with Low-Wage stream workers and extended the LMIA validity to 12 months. The government began reversing these policies last May, following a joint press conference with Employment Minister Randy Boissonnault and Immigration Minister Marc Miller.

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Minister Miller also announced that temporary resident levels will be included in the annual Canada Immigration Levels Plan for the first time in Canadian history. Immigration remains a key issue, with ongoing discussions about adjusting permanent residence levels in the future.

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