IELTS
Visitors to Canada cannot apply for a job-supported work permit from within Canada as of August 28.
In August 2020, a temporary policy allowed some visitors who met certain conditions to apply for job-supported work permits from within Canada to help employers fill key labor gaps after border closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic prevented them from returning home.
Visitors to Canada can apply for various work permits from within the country. Additionally, Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) applications must be submitted from within Canada.
The policy was supposed to expire February 28, 2025. Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) said it is eliminating the policy as “part of our overall efforts to recalibrate the number of temporary residents in Canada and preserve the integrity of the immigration system.”
The Department said policy applications submitted before August 28 will be handled.
IRCC says it rolled back the provision early because “bad actors were using the policy to mislead foreign nationals into working in Canada without authorization.”
This supports the department's efforts to lower temporary resident numbers and combat immigration fraud.
In Canada last year, 700 Indian international students were caught with fake acceptance letters from Designated Learning Institutions. Many were unaware that their letters were fake. DLIs must now validate all letters of acceptance within 10 days of receiving an international student application, per IRCC. It has also limited Canada's overseas student intake for two years.
Larger changes to temporary foreign worker levels in Canada
After a week of major adjustments to reduce Canada's temporary foreign worker population, the temporary policy permitting some tourists to apply for a work visa ended.
From August 26 to September 26, 2024, the Department will stop the processing of some Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) applications for Low-Wage Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) applicants. Applications in Census Metropolitan Areas with 6% unemployment or above will be affected.
IRCC also limited the number of foreign workers firms in Canada can hire under the TFWP to 10% of their total workforce and cut the Low-Wage stream's maximum employment period to one year from two.