Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has extended a temporary public policy that allows foreign nationals already in Canada on visitor status to apply for an employer-specific work permit without needing to leave the country. Originally introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic in August 2020, the measure has now been extended until August 31, 2021.
Prior to this policy, individuals on visitor visas were required to apply for initial work permits from outside of Canada. Even if approved while inside Canada, they would generally have to exit and re-enter the country to activate their permits. The extended policy eliminates that requirement, offering a streamlined and more accessible path for eligible visitors to enter Canada’s workforce.
Updated eligibility criteria now allow any visitor with a valid job offer to apply for an employer-specific work permit, regardless of when they arrived in Canada. To qualify, applicants must have valid visitor status at the time of application and remain in Canada with legal status. They must submit an application supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or a valid LMIA-exempt job offer by the August 31 deadline. Additionally, they must meet standard admissibility requirements, including medical and security checks.
The policy also includes an important bridge measure: those who held a valid Canadian work permit in the last 12 months may begin working for their new employer while their new permit is being processed. To do so, applicants must first notify IRCC through an official web form after submitting their work permit application, following specific steps outlined by the department.
This extension is particularly valuable to visitors who entered Canada despite pandemic-related travel restrictions. Since March 2020, Canada’s borders have been largely closed to non-essential travel, limiting the number of foreign nationals who could arrive. Nonetheless, over 1,000 visitors have already taken advantage of the policy since its initial launch.
According to Maple News, this move is part of IRCC’s continued efforts to support economic recovery by providing more flexible work authorization routes amid ongoing global disruptions. It reinforces Canada’s commitment to welcoming talent and strengthening its labor market through inclusive policies.
Applicants are reminded that all submissions must be completed from within Canada and that starting work early is allowed only under specific conditions for select individuals. More detailed instructions are available on the government’s official immigration website.