FACILITATING CONTINUED WORK RIGHTS

New measures are set out below to enable foreign workers, in Canada with valid work authorization, who are required to obtain a new work permit before commencing a new job, to begin working in a new job while their work permit application is pending.

Individuals expected to benefit from these measures include foreign nationals who:

1. are on “maintained status” and are authorized to work while their work permit application is pending, but who are bound to the conditions imposed on their expired work permit such that they cannot move to a new occupation or employer while on maintained status;
2. continue to hold a valid work permit that limits them to working for a named employer, but need to transition to a different occupation or employer for reasons that may include having been laid-off; or
3. are work-permit exempt, but require a work permit to work in a new occupation or for a new employer.

Effective date and expiration

This public policy revokes and replaces Temporary public policy to exempt foreign nationals in Canada from certain requirements when changing employment during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic signed on May 6, 2020.

This public policy takes effect 12 weeks after it is signed.

This public policy is in effect until it is revoked by the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

Source: IRCC Public Policies