The Canadian government has announced an extension of the temporary policy that allows foreign nationals visiting Canada to apply for and receive work permits without leaving the country. This policy, initially introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, has been extended for an additional two years until February 28, 2025. The extension aims to address the labour shortages faced by Canadian employers during the country’s period of economic expansion.

Key Points:

1. Work Permit Eligibility:
Foreign nationals who are currently in Canada as visitors and receive a valid job offer supported by a labour market impact assessment (LMIA) or an LMIA-exempt offer of employment are eligible to apply for an employer-specific work permit under this policy.

2. Work Permit Application:
Applicants must have valid visitor status in Canada on the day they submit their work permit application. The deadline to apply for an employer-specific work permit under this temporary public policy is February 28, 2025. Additionally, applicants must meet all other standard admissibility criteria.

3. Interim Work Authorization:
Visitors who have held a valid work permit within the last 12 months can benefit from special instructions that allow them to obtain interim work authorization. This authorization enables them to start working for their new employer before their work permit application is finalized.

4. No Need to Leave Canada:
Prior to this temporary policy change, individuals had to apply for their initial work permit before coming to Canada. If they were already in Canada as visitors and received approval for a work permit, they had to leave the country to be issued their work permit. With the extension of this policy, visitors can now apply for and receive work permits without the need to leave Canada.

The extension of the temporary policy allowing visitors in Canada to apply for work permits without leaving the country provides an excellent opportunity for Canadian employers. This policy change offers a viable solution to address the labour shortages experienced during the current period of economic expansion. Foreign nationals with valid visitor status and a job offer supported by an LMIA or an LMIA-exempt offer of employment should take advantage of this policy by applying for an employer-specific work permit before February 28, 2025. Applicants who have held a valid work permit in the past 12 months can also benefit from interim work authorization to start working for their new employer sooner.

Reference: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/notices/visit-to-work.html