Maple News reports that, effective August 28, 2024, visitors in Canada on a Temporary Resident Visa (visitor visa) are no longer eligible to apply for employer-supported work permits from within the country. This marks the end of a temporary policy first implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic to address travel restrictions and labor shortages.
Originally introduced in August 2020, the policy allowed visitors in Canada to apply for work permits from within the country, provided they had a valid job offer. It was intended as an interim solution for those unable to leave Canada due to border closures, while also helping employers fill immediate labor gaps. Initially set to expire in February 2025, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has now opted for an early termination.
According to IRCC, the decision to end the policy is part of a broader strategy to rebalance temporary resident levels and uphold the integrity of Canada’s immigration system. The department confirmed that any applications submitted before the August 28 deadline under the previous framework will still be processed.
The early rollback also stems from concerns over rising immigration fraud. IRCC revealed that some individuals were exploiting the policy, misleading foreign nationals into working illegally in Canada. This tightening of work permit eligibility is one of several measures IRCC has taken in recent months to crack down on bad actors and prevent abuse of temporary immigration pathways.
These reforms echo similar actions taken across other immigration programs. Notably, following reports of fraud involving fake Letters of Acceptance (LOAs), Canada implemented a new verification process requiring Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) to confirm the legitimacy of LOAs within 10 days. This came in response to a high-profile case in which around 700 Indian students were caught up in an immigration scam.
While visitor visa holders are no longer able to apply for job-supported work permits from within Canada, some other work permits—such as the Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP)—must still be submitted from inside the country and remain unaffected by the policy change.
Maple News will continue to monitor ongoing updates as Canada adjusts its immigration policies to meet current economic demands and system integrity goals.