Canada Ends Visitor-To-Work Permit Policy
The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has ended a temporary public policy that allowed visitors to apply for a work permit from within Canada.
The policy was introduced in August 2020 to help visitors who were unable to leave the country due to COVID-19 pandemic–related travel restrictions.
Visitors in Canada, under the policy, could apply for a work permit without having to leave the country.
Also, foreign nationals who had held a work permit in the previous 12 months but changed their status in Canada to “visitor” could apply to work legally in Canada while waiting for a decision on their new work permit application.
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In a statement on Wednesday, the Canadian government said, “While the temporary policy was set to expire on February 28, 2025, the IRCC is ending the policy as part of our overall efforts to recalibrate the number of temporary residents in Canada and preserve the integrity of the immigration system.”
The IRCC was also aware that “some bad actors were using the policy to mislead foreign nationals into working in Canada without authorisation.”
It, however, noted that it would continue to process applications submitted before August 28, 2024, under the policy.
The development is likely to have a huge impact on intending migrants including Nigerians who might want to explore the avenue to seek a stay in the country.
