IRCC Makes New Extension For Visitors to Work Permit Policy By 2 Years

Last Updated On 31 March 2023, 9:42 AM EDT (Toronto Time)

Today, IRCC announces new extension to temporary policy allowing visitor visa holders to apply for work permit within Canada, until 2025.

This extension came in as previous temporary policy was due to expire today. This is a huge news for visitor visa holders.

Canada implemented this policy during pandemic to fill in labour gaps with visitors in the country. Usually, foreign nationals holding a visitor visa cannot apply for work permit from within Canada.

As per IRCC news release, foreign nationals who are visiting Canada and obtain a genuine employment offer will be able to apply for and acquire a work permit without leaving the country.

Visitors applying under this public policy who have held a work permit within the past 12 months may also obtain temporary work permit to begin working for their new company.

So, this public policy has now been extended by two years, until February 28, 2025. Aim of the this extension is give firms in Canada another choice, since many are suffering major labour shortages.

Eligibility Criteria:

An applicant seeking benefit from this temporary public policy must:

• have a valid visitor status in Canada on the day they apply
• have a job offer backed by a labour market impact assessment (LMIA) or an LMIA-exempt offer of employment
• submit an application for an employer-specific work permit before February 28, 2025, and
• satisfy all other standard admissibility requirements

Candidates with visitor status who already held a work permit in last 12 months under this temporary policy are also eligible, if they meet below listed criteria:

• When you apply, you must be physically present in Canada.
  • You must remain in Canada while your application is being processed.
  • You will not be eligible for this public policy if you depart while your application is being processed.
• While applying for a work permit, you must be a visitor with valid status.
  • If your visitor status has expired, you must restore it before applying for a work permit.
• applied for an employer-specific work permit between August 24, 2020, and February 28, 2025
• had a valid work permit in the 12 months before to applying for a new work permit

Candidates with visitor status who have held a valid work permit in the last 12 months can follow specific guidelines to get interim work authorization.

IRCC Resumes Biometrics For New Temporary Residence Applicants In Canada

How To Get Interim Work Authorization:

Reiterating, Interim Work Authorization is only available to visitor visa holders who held a valid work permit in the last 12 months under this temporary policy.

After applying for work permit under this policy, applicants will need to fill out the IRCC Web form with message as specified by IRCC.

After filling out the webform, you will need to wait for an email from IRCC informing you that you may begin working. This might take up to 30 days (6 weeks).

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