Today IRCC announced that the COVID-19 public policy allowing visitors in Canada with a valid visitor visa to apply for a work permit without having to leave Canada has been extended for two years, until February 2025. This is welcome news given the severe labour shortages the country is experiencing. Below is IRCC’s news release: “Foreign nationals who are in Canada as visitors and who receive a valid job offer will continue to be able to apply for and receive a work permit without having to leave the country. Visitors applying under this public policy who held a work permit within the last 12 months will also continue to be able to request interim work authorization to begin working for their new employer more quickly. Set to expire on February 28, 2023, this COVID-era temporary public policy has been extended by 2 years, until February 28, 2025. Leaving this temporary policy in place makes visitors an option for employers in Canada, as many are facing significant labour shortages during this period of economic expansion. Prior to this temporary policy change, those applying to work in Canada would typically need to apply for their initial work permit before they came to Canada. If they were already in Canada with visitor status when they were approved for a work permit, they would need to leave Canada to be issued their work permit. With this policy in place, leaving Canada isn’t necessary. To be eligible to apply, an applicant looking to benefit from this temporary public policy must have valid status in Canada as a visitor on the day they apply have a job offer that is supported by a labour market impact assessment (LMIA) or an LMIA-exempt offer of employment submit an application for an employer-specific work permit no later than February 28, 2025 meet all other standard admissibility criteria Applicants who currently have visitor status but who have held a valid work permit in the past 12 months can follow special instructions to get interim work authorization to start working for their new employer before their work permit application is finalized.” If you require advice on how to convert your visitor visa into a work permit, please book a consultation with one of our lawyers. Back to all posts Share this post:
Dan Pasupatham Devika and her team showed high professionalism from the start of the immigration process. Well communicated every steps of the way. Highly recommend them for any visa related matters. Thank for your excellent service.
zay B Borders Law firm has provided our company with excellent immigration services. Highly recommend for those who need help or any companies that need to apply for LMIA in Canada. Devika Penekepelapati has deep and thorough knowledge of rules and procedures . She got a few LMIAs and WP approved for our Company. We would not hesitate to recommend the law firm to anyone seeking help with immigration services. Thanking you sincerely Devika and entire Borders Law firm Team.
Lalit Kainth Borders Law Firm did a great job handling my parents H & C application. I definitely recommend to use them!
ravinder kaur I and my family want to express our sincere thanks and gratitude to Devika, John and the team at Borders Law firm for assisting us with the PRTD application at a time when most processing was closed due to lockdowns. They also worked proactively with us to establish a good strategy with back up plans which gave us sufficient information and assurance. Very responsive and forthcoming with information. Proactive in processing but at the same time they put enough time in the application and the supporting details to have high quality of the application. As a result our application was processed in 1 go at a time when it was critical and sensitive time for the family. Thank you again.