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The Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced the immediate termination of a temporary public policy that allowed visitors to apply for work permits without leaving Canada. Introduced in August 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the policy aimed to assist foreign nationals who were unable to return to their home countries due to global travel restrictions.
The Policy’s Origins and Purpose
In response to the unprecedented travel restrictions caused by the pandemic, the IRCC introduced this temporary measure to help visitors who found themselves stranded in Canada. It allowed them to apply for work permits from within the country, providing a crucial opportunity for those seeking to continue contributing to the Canadian economy. Additionally, the policy permitted foreign nationals who had held a work permit in the previous 12 months and had transitioned to “visitor” status to work legally while awaiting the outcome of their new work permit application.
Reasons for Policy Termination
Although the policy was initially set to expire on February 28, 2025, the IRCC has chosen to end it earlier. This decision is part of a broader effort to manage the number of temporary residents in Canada and to uphold the integrity of the immigration system. The IRCC also cited concerns that the policy had been exploited by some individuals to engage in unauthorized work, prompting the need for its early conclusion.
Guidance for Affected Applicants
Individuals who submitted work permit applications under this policy before August 28, 2024, will still have their applications processed according to the rules in place at the time of their submission. Moving forward, visitors seeking work permits will need to follow the standard application procedures, typically requiring them to apply from outside Canada. For detailed information on the current application process and eligibility criteria, the IRCC website remains the primary resource.
Conclusion
The termination of this temporary policy signals a shift back to pre-pandemic immigration procedures. While the policy served an essential role during a global crisis, its conclusion reflects the IRCC’s commitment to maintaining a secure and efficient immigration system in Canada.
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