Canada ends temporary policy allowing visitors to apply for work permits from within the country
PTC News Desk: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced the immediate termination of a temporary public policy that permitted visitors to apply for work permits from within Canada.
The policy was initially implemented in August 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which had created significant travel restrictions and prevented many visitors from leaving the country. Under this policy, visitors in Canada were allowed to apply for work permits without the need to exit the country. Additionally, foreign nationals who had previously held a work permit and later changed their status to “visitor” were allowed to legally work in Canada while awaiting a decision on their new work permit application.
Originally, this temporary measure was set to expire on February 28, 2025. However, IRCC has decided to end the policy earlier as part of its broader strategy to adjust the number of temporary residents in Canada and maintain the integrity of the immigration system. The decision also comes in response to concerns that some individuals were exploiting the policy to deceive foreign nationals into working in Canada without proper authorisation.
IRCC has clarified that applications submitted under this policy before August 28, 2024, will still be processed. For more information on how to apply for a work permit, please visit the IRCC website.
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- With inputs from agencies
