August 31st, 2024 at 12:15 pm

Canada Closes Applications for Visitor Work Permits: An Overview of the New Regulations

Due to a change in immigration laws, temporary residents with visitor visas are no longer eligible to apply for work permits within Canada. With immediate effect, this decision intends to control the number of temporary residents and preserve the integrity of Canada’s immigration system.

Canada has declared a big shift in immigration policy, to expedite immigration procedures and resolve worries about undocumented employment.

It is no longer possible for temporary residents with visitor visas to apply for work permits from within the nation. With immediate effect, the new regulation ends a program that was started in August 2020 to assist travelers who were left stranded as a result of COVID-19.

Which Previous Policy Was It?

With this reversal, a 2020 policy to support travelers stuck in Canada as a result of COVID-19 travel restrictions will come to an early end. Before, travelers could apply for work permits without having to depart the nation. Following the previous directive:

• Without leaving Canada, visitors could apply for a work permit.
• While awaiting a fresh work permit decision, anyone who had possessed a work permit during the previous year but had changed it to “visitor” status was able to continue working.
• This policy has been canceled early; it was originally scheduled to expire on February 28, 2025.

Justifications for the Policy Modification

The policy’s early termination is in line with Canada’s larger plan to control temporary immigrants and protect the integrity of its immigration laws. The goal of this decision, according to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), is to stop system abuse and unapproved employment by foreign nationals.

• Managing Temporary Residents: Canada’s government seeks to control the country’s temporary resident population.
• Preventing Unauthorized Work: The goal of the policy change is to allay worries about people coming to Canada to work without the required permits.
• Maintaining the Integrity of the Immigration System: The Canadian government also seeks to keep its immigration procedures equitable and effective.

What Takes Place With Already-Submitted Applications?

Applications for work permits that were submitted before August 28, 2024, as per the existing policy, will continue to be handled. Nevertheless, travelers wishing to apply for work permits from within Canada will not be able to submit fresh applications.

The Decision’s Effect

The new regulation will affect foreign nationals as well as employers:

• Employers: It can be difficult for businesses to fill low-paying jobs, particularly in industries that depend significantly on foreign labor.
• For foreign nationals: The lack of a direct route to work permits for those on visitor visas may make it more difficult for them to find employment in Canada.

Further Modifications to Immigration Law

Canada has not only altered its policies regarding visiting visas but also added new limitations to its Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). Among these modifications are:

• Temporary Halt in LMIA Processing: For applicants from the low-wage stream, the government has temporarily stopped processing a few Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) applications.
• Limitation on Maximum Employment Term: Employees in the Low-Wage Stream may now work for a maximum of one year instead of two.

Canada to Reduce TFW

Canada plans to reverse its 2022 program increases by reducing the number of temporary foreign workers by 65,000. The Temporary Foreign Worker Program will now only hire 10% of the workforce, and Montreal will see a temporary freeze. These steps are intended to ease worries about immigration volumes and labor market effects.

Conclusion

To protect its labor market and immigration system, Canada decided to stop accepting applications for work permits from foreign tourists. The new regulations, which highlight the significance of controlled entrance and employment practices, are expected to affect both companies and foreign nationals.