Ottawa, February 28, 2023—Foreign nationals present in Canada as visitors now have the ongoing opportunity to apply for and obtain a work permit upon receiving a valid job offer, without the need to exit the country. Additionally, individuals applying under this revised public policy, who have held a work permit in the past 12 months, can expedite the commencement of their employment with a new employer by requesting interim work authorization. Originally slated to conclude today, this temporary public policy, implemented during the COVID era, has been extended for an additional 2 years, until February 28, 2025. The extension aims to sustain the availability of visitors as a viable workforce for Canadian employers contending with substantial labor shortages amid the current economic expansion.
Prior to this temporary adjustment, prospective workers coming to Canada typically had to secure their initial work permit before entering the country. If individuals already in Canada under visitor status received approval for a work permit, they would traditionally need to depart the country to have their work permit issued. With the current policy in effect, such departure is no longer mandatory.
To qualify for consideration under this temporary public policy, applicants must:
- Maintain valid visitor status in Canada on the day of application
- Possess a job offer supported by either a labor market impact assessment (LMIA) or an LMIA-exempt offer of employment
- Submit an application for an employer-specific work permit no later than February 28, 2025
- Fulfill all other standard admissibility criteria
Applicants currently holding visitor status, who have possessed a valid work permit in the past 12 months, can follow specific instructions to obtain interim work authorization and initiate employment with their new employer before the completion of their work permit application.
Immigration of Canada
Immigration of Canada