PUBLIC POLICY: VISITORS IN CANADA TO APPLY FOR AN EMPLOYER SPECIFIC W.P

A temporary public policy has been issued to allow certain temporary residents to apply for a work permit from within Canada. While all temporary residents can apply for an employer-specific work permit under the public policy, only those who held a work permit in the last 12 months may request interim authorization to work.

The public policy came into effect on August 24, 2020, and the eligibility criteria were expanded to allow all visitors who are in Canada with valid temporary resident status to apply inland for an employer-specific work permit, regardless of when they arrived in Canada. The public policy is being extended until February 28, 2025.

This public policy will

• permit eligible foreign nationals with valid temporary resident status as visitors to apply for a job offer-supported work permit from inside Canada
• exempt eligible foreign nationals from the requirement that a work permit not be issued if they have not complied with certain temporary residence conditions
• allow eligible former temporary foreign workers to work while a decision on their work permit application is pending

Important: Applicants under this public policy are not subject to the prohibition on issuance of a work permit if the applicant worked without authorization [R200(3)(e)]. This prohibition has been waived as part of the public policy.

Source: IRCC News