In a dramatic change of policy, IRCC has unilaterally stopped the temporary foreign workers’ public policy for visitors to apply for work permits while staying in Canada.
This policy is effective today, i. e., August 28. This policy was in fact planned to end on February 28, 2025.
Nevertheless, in one of the recent decisions that can hardly be explained, IRCC has chosen to end it in advance, starting from August 28, 2024.
But IRCC has said that this means that those who have applied before the 28th of August, 2024 can still be admitted under the previous policy that was abolished.
The policy was first implemented in August 2020 as a measure towards the COVID-19 outbreak, and has been beneficial to several foreign nationals to enable them to get a worker status.
However, its termination signifies the new era of Canada immigration concluding the loophole for fake visitors to abuse the policy.
Background: The Policy That Made a Difference
The temporary policy was made effective at a time when the world was facing difficult tests due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Lockdowns, closed borders and other measures locked in many visitors in Canada without a way to go on.
As a result of such changes, IRCC introduced this policy whereby the visitors who are already in the country can apply for work permits without having to travel back to their home countries.
It was especially helpful for persons who had been in possession of work permits in the past and suddenly had to apply for the ‘visitor’ status because of job cuts, and other pandemic disruptions.
The policy also enabled these people to start working while waiting for the new work permit applications to be processed which was a big economic relief.
Reasons for the Termination
The Government of Canada’s move to bring the policy to an end earlier than the planned end date can be understood within the context of the government’s aims to contain the number of temporary residents in the country while at the same time maintaining the integrity of the immigration system.
From the official press release it emerged that there were concerns that some individuals might use the policy to exploit foreigners into working in this country without legal documents.
For the temporary residents’ population has increased in Canada after the start of the pandemic, IRCC has stressed the need to rebalance the population.
This is now shifting your focus on the importance of having balanced and fair immigration policy and methods in the country that will promote the entity’s economic and social advancement.
What Does This Mean for Visitors in Canada?
For visitors who are already in Canada and intend to apply for the work permit under this policy, the abrupt end will cause a lot of disruption.
Those that did not apply before the cut off date will now be forced to seek for other means if they wish to work.
This could include returning to one’s country of origin and reapplying for a visa from there or there may be other visas which permit work.
A Look at the Numbers: Temporary Residents in Canada
Something that is quite alarming is the fact that at the time Canada is recording the highest number of temporary residents this policy has been terminated.
The data shows that the number of temporary foreign workers and international students have increased in the last few years and accounted for a huge portion of the temporary resident population.
Currently, more than 800 000 students, and over 400 000 temporary foreign workers, which has now tremendously risen, are in Canada.
This has led to a debate regarding the country’s ability to host a population of such magnitude especially in terms of accommodation, social amenities and employment opportunities.
Following this, it may be argued that the decision of IRCC to stop applying such policy can be best viewed in the context of an overall approach to these challenges, which aims at adjusting the stringency of the rules regarding temporary residents and at guaranteeing that the residence of those who will remain in this country will be legal and unmasked, duly regulated.
The Road Ahead: What Visitors Need to Know
For those who are already in Canada, the end of this policy implies a situation where it is impossible to get a work permit while in the country.
Candidates who are living in Canada under a visitors’ visa permission but interested in working will have to look for other alternatives of immigration. Some of the alternatives include: Some of the alternatives include:
Applying for a Work Permit from Outside Canada: The candidate can exit Canada and apply for the work permit while in his/her home country or any country of legal residence.
This in most cases initially entails getting a job offer from an employer in Canada and getting a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
Exploring Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs): Several provinces have immigration points for temporary residents in which they can apply for permanent residency and even work permits.
Applicants may check any of the above PNP types to determine their eligibility for any of the PNPs.
International Mobility Program (IMP): This is an employment option that enables some foreigners to obtain a work permit without going through an LMIA.
However, it is essential to note that eligibility requirements are quite rigid and so not every tourist shall be able to meet them.
Studying in Canada:, immigration applicants can pursue education in Canadian educational institutions which sometimes comes with the arbitrage of the study permit possibly coming with a work Permit.
However, this option involves a lot of costs and requires much time before it can produce the intended outcomes.
Visitor to Permanent Resident (PR) Pathways: However, there are a few mainly; Family Sponsorship which allows people who have close relatives in Canada, Asylum and Refugee status that are accepted by the Canadian government.
Final Thoughts
The cancellation of the temporary public policy through which the visitors are allowed to apply work permits from inside the Canadian borders is a change of policy in Canada’s immigration system.
It was a flexibility that was needed as Canadians faced the COVID-19 pandemic But its end signals that IRCC will continue to re-balance the temporary resident population and the stability of the immigration system.
The visitors will have to familiarise themselves with this reality fast and seek other options if they wish to work or live in Canada in the long run.
People in the immigration community will be observing how this decision will affect more generally the area of temporary residency in Canada and for the immigration policy in the future.
As Canada continues to navigate the complexities of post-pandemic immigration, one thing is clear: The country continues standing on the principles of fair, transparent and balanced immigration policy best for all Canadians.
Canada Ends Visitor To Work Permit Policy Effective From August 28, 2024
In a dramatic change of policy, IRCC has unilaterally stopped the temporary foreign workers’ public policy for visitors to apply for work permits while staying in Canada.
This policy is effective today, i. e., August 28. This policy was in fact planned to end on February 28, 2025.
Nevertheless, in one of the recent decisions that can hardly be explained, IRCC has chosen to end it in advance, starting from August 28, 2024.
But IRCC has said that this means that those who have applied before the 28th of August, 2024 can still be admitted under the previous policy that was abolished.
The policy was first implemented in August 2020 as a measure towards the COVID-19 outbreak, and has been beneficial to several foreign nationals to enable them to get a worker status.
However, its termination signifies the new era of Canada immigration concluding the loophole for fake visitors to abuse the policy.
Background: The Policy That Made a Difference
The temporary policy was made effective at a time when the world was facing difficult tests due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Lockdowns, closed borders and other measures locked in many visitors in Canada without a way to go on.
As a result of such changes, IRCC introduced this policy whereby the visitors who are already in the country can apply for work permits without having to travel back to their home countries.
It was especially helpful for persons who had been in possession of work permits in the past and suddenly had to apply for the ‘visitor’ status because of job cuts, and other pandemic disruptions.
The policy also enabled these people to start working while waiting for the new work permit applications to be processed which was a big economic relief.
Reasons for the Termination
The Government of Canada’s move to bring the policy to an end earlier than the planned end date can be understood within the context of the government’s aims to contain the number of temporary residents in the country while at the same time maintaining the integrity of the immigration system.
From the official press release it emerged that there were concerns that some individuals might use the policy to exploit foreigners into working in this country without legal documents.
For the temporary residents’ population has increased in Canada after the start of the pandemic, IRCC has stressed the need to rebalance the population.
This is now shifting your focus on the importance of having balanced and fair immigration policy and methods in the country that will promote the entity’s economic and social advancement.
What Does This Mean for Visitors in Canada?
For visitors who are already in Canada and intend to apply for the work permit under this policy, the abrupt end will cause a lot of disruption.
Those that did not apply before the cut off date will now be forced to seek for other means if they wish to work.
This could include returning to one’s country of origin and reapplying for a visa from there or there may be other visas which permit work.
A Look at the Numbers: Temporary Residents in Canada
Something that is quite alarming is the fact that at the time Canada is recording the highest number of temporary residents this policy has been terminated.
The data shows that the number of temporary foreign workers and international students have increased in the last few years and accounted for a huge portion of the temporary resident population.
Currently, more than 800 000 students, and over 400 000 temporary foreign workers, which has now tremendously risen, are in Canada.
This has led to a debate regarding the country’s ability to host a population of such magnitude especially in terms of accommodation, social amenities and employment opportunities.
Following this, it may be argued that the decision of IRCC to stop applying such policy can be best viewed in the context of an overall approach to these challenges, which aims at adjusting the stringency of the rules regarding temporary residents and at guaranteeing that the residence of those who will remain in this country will be legal and unmasked, duly regulated.
The Road Ahead: What Visitors Need to Know
For those who are already in Canada, the end of this policy implies a situation where it is impossible to get a work permit while in the country.
Candidates who are living in Canada under a visitors’ visa permission but interested in working will have to look for other alternatives of immigration. Some of the alternatives include: Some of the alternatives include:
Applying for a Work Permit from Outside Canada: The candidate can exit Canada and apply for the work permit while in his/her home country or any country of legal residence.
This in most cases initially entails getting a job offer from an employer in Canada and getting a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
Exploring Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs): Several provinces have immigration points for temporary residents in which they can apply for permanent residency and even work permits.
Applicants may check any of the above PNP types to determine their eligibility for any of the PNPs.
International Mobility Program (IMP): This is an employment option that enables some foreigners to obtain a work permit without going through an LMIA.
However, it is essential to note that eligibility requirements are quite rigid and so not every tourist shall be able to meet them.
Studying in Canada:, immigration applicants can pursue education in Canadian educational institutions which sometimes comes with the arbitrage of the study permit possibly coming with a work Permit.
However, this option involves a lot of costs and requires much time before it can produce the intended outcomes.
Visitor to Permanent Resident (PR) Pathways: However, there are a few mainly; Family Sponsorship which allows people who have close relatives in Canada, Asylum and Refugee status that are accepted by the Canadian government.
Final Thoughts
The cancellation of the temporary public policy through which the visitors are allowed to apply work permits from inside the Canadian borders is a change of policy in Canada’s immigration system.
It was a flexibility that was needed as Canadians faced the COVID-19 pandemic But its end signals that IRCC will continue to re-balance the temporary resident population and the stability of the immigration system.
The visitors will have to familiarise themselves with this reality fast and seek other options if they wish to work or live in Canada in the long run.
People in the immigration community will be observing how this decision will affect more generally the area of temporary residency in Canada and for the immigration policy in the future.
As Canada continues to navigate the complexities of post-pandemic immigration, one thing is clear: The country continues standing on the principles of fair, transparent and balanced immigration policy best for all Canadians.
Author: lokeshwar Bandral
Recent Posts
Recent Comments
Archives
Categories
Categories