Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has introduced a new policy allowing approved foreign nationals already in Canada to receive their work or study permits by mail. This change aims to assist those who have received Letters of Introduction (LOIs) but are unable to travel to a Canadian port of entry to activate their permits due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.
Previously, permit holders were required to visit a port of entry to finalize their immigration status. However, border visits for this purpose are not considered essential, leaving many applicants in limbo—approved to work or study, but unable to begin due to not holding an official permit.
Now, individuals approved under regular immigration streams or the International Experience Canada (IEC) program can submit a request via IRCC’s online web form. Upon approval, physical permits will be mailed directly to them inside Canada. This temporary policy is set to remain in effect until March 31, 2021.
To apply, study permit holders must include specific information and wording in their web form request, such as confirmation of enrollment at a Designated Learning Institution, proof of valid LOI, and up-to-date contact information. IRCC will then verify enrollment status, confirm program integrity, and ensure sufficient financial means are still available to the applicant.
Work permit applicants will follow a similar process, including their LOI validity and contact details, with a note on whether they are applying for an employer-specific or open work permit. These procedural updates streamline the transition for foreign nationals during an unpredictable time by replacing in-person processing with a secure digital-to-mail route.
This temporary but impactful policy ensures that eligible international students and workers don’t lose valuable opportunities due to pandemic-related travel rules. Maple News will continue to monitor IRCC developments on this and related immigration policy changes.