Canada has removed its interim policy enabling foreign visitors to apply for work permits within the country.

August 28, 2024, Ottawa With immediate effect, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has terminated a provisional government policy that permitted travelers to petition for a work permit from within the country.

The COVID-19 pandemic-related travel restrictions prevented some tourists from leaving the country, thus the IRCC developed the policy in August 2020 to assist those visitors. Visitors to Canada may apply for a work visa under the scheme without needing to exit the nation. Additionally, while they awaited the outcome of their new work permit application, foreign nationals who had possessed a work permit for the preceding 12 months but had altered their status to “visitor” could seek to work lawfully in Canada.

The IRCC is terminating the temporary policy, despite the fact that it was scheduled to expire on February 28, 2025. This action is being taken as a part of our broader efforts to maintain the integrity of the immigration system and adjust the number of temporary residents in Canada. The IRCC is also aware that certain unscrupulous individuals were deceiving foreign people into working in Canada without authorization by utilizing the rules.

Applications filed before August 28, 2024 will still be processed by IRCC in accordance with the policy.