New measures for foreign visitors in Canada seeking work permits

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced that foreign visitors to Canada who have a job offer can easily apply for and receive a work permit. To do that, they don’t have to leave the country anymore.

This announcement comes in as an extension of a COVID-related temporary public policy that was originally set to expire today. The said policy has now been extended until February 28, 2025.

Under this temporary policy extension, foreign visitors in Canada can now apply for a work permit without having to leave the country. Those who are approved for a work permit while in Canada with visitor status can now receive interim work authorisation to begin working for their new employer more quickly. This also holds good for those applicants who have held a valid work permit in the past 12 months and now hold visitor status and need authorization to commence work with their new employer before their work application permit is finalised.

Earlier, individuals seeking to work in Canada typically had to apply for their initial work permit before arriving in the country or leave the country to receive it if already in Canada as visitors. This policy eliminates the need for such measures.

To take advantage of this policy change on the day they will apply for a work permit, Canadian visitors must have valid visitor status in the country. Along with that, they should also have a labour market impact assessment (LMIA)-supported job offer.

According to CIC News, to assess whether the employed foreign worker will affect the Canadian economy positively, negatively, or not at all, the employer will submit a LMIA to Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). If said ESDC is found to have a negative impact, then the employer cannot hire the foreign visitor.