On August 28, 2024 — Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced the end of a temporary public policy that allowed visitors to apply for work permits from within Canada. This policy was initially introduced in August 2020 to assist travelers who were unable to leave the country due to COVID-19 pandemic-related restrictions.
Visitors in Canada could previously apply for a work permit without the need to leave the country. Foreign nationals who had held a work permit in the past 12 months but changed their status to "visitor" were also eligible to work legally while waiting for a decision on their new work permit application.
Although this policy was initially set to expire on February 28, 2025, IRCC decided to terminate it earlier to better manage the number of temporary residents in Canada and to ensure the integrity of the immigration system. The policy had been exploited by some individuals who misled foreign nationals into working in Canada without proper authorization.
IRCC will no longer accept new applications under this policy. Applications submitted before August 28, 2024, will continue to be processed.
Implications for Visitors and Workers: Visitors seeking work permits will now need to follow the traditional process, which typically involves applying from outside of Canada. This change may pose challenges for individuals who have been relying on this policy, especially those who may face difficulties returning to their home countries.
While IRCC's goal is to maintain the integrity of the immigration system, this decision may impact individuals who are seeking to work in Canada.