Visitors can continue to apply for work permits inside Canada until February 28, 2025.

Canada’s temporary public policy allowing visitors in Canada to apply for an employer-specific work permit without having to leave the country has been extended for up to two years. The announcement came on the last day that the public policy was set to expire on Feb 28, 2023.

Canada’s Immigration Minister Sean Fraser announced that IRCC is continuing this measure to help businesses find workers as Canada continues to experience significant job growth and acute labour shortages.

This temporary public policy was originally intended as a Covid-19 measure which has been extended by 2 years, until February 28, 2025. Prior to this temporary policy change, those applying to work in Canada would typically need to apply for their initial work permit. They would need to leave Canada to be issued their work permit. W

With this policy in place, leaving Canada is no longer required.

To be eligible for the employerspecific work permit, the foreign national must be in Canada with a valid temporary resident status as a visitor including status extensions, has submitted an employer-specific work permit, has remained in Canada with status since application submission and intends to remain in Canada throughout the period during which their work permit application is being processed and submitted the application on or before Feb 28, 2025.

Visitors in Canada must have a job offer that is supported by a labour market impact assessment or LMIA or an LMIA exempt offer of employment and must meet all other standard admissibility criteria.

Statistics Canada identified five sectors facing labour shortage namely construction, manufacturing, retail trade, health care and social assistance and accommodation and food services.

IRCC reported that in November 2022 alone, over 260,000 visitor visas were processed and that Canada is now processing more visitor visa applications than it did prior to the pandemic.

If you have questions regarding the above article, you may contact Marjorie at info@mcncanadaimmigration.com

Source: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)

A word of caution: You should not act or rely on the information provided in this column. It is not legal advice.

Carmona Newman is a REGULATED CANADIAN IMMIGRATION CONSULTANT based in Edmonton, Alberta. She is a 2022 Recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal, and was a recipient of CAPIC's Members Service Award for four consecutive years (2015-2019). She is currently a member of CAPIC’s Policy Committee and previously served as Prairie Chapter representative for Canadian Association of Professional Immigration Consultants (CAPIC) in the Governance and Nomination Committee and Education Committee.

To ensure your interests are protected, retain, or formally seek advice from a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) in good standing of CICC. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of RCICs.