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Visitors in Canada Continue to Have Access to Work Permits

IRCC announced the continuation of a temporary policy that was implemented a year ago to assist firms in finding workers and to allow temporary residents to work.

Canada has stated that a coronavirus-related measure allowing travelers to get work permits would be extended until February 28, 2022.

Temporary residents in Canada with valid visitor status have been able to apply for an employer-specific work permit from within Canada since August 24, 2020.

Normally, foreign workers in Canada on a visitor’s visa cannot change status without leaving the country, therefore this is a temporary regulation change.

When it was first implemented, the measure was meant to assist employers who were having problems hiring workers, as well as to allow tourists who were experiencing visa issues owing to the epidemic to access the labor market.

Several visitors were unable to leave the country due to limited air travel, while some foreign workers were forced to alter their status to “visitor” because their work licenses had expired and they were unable to apply for new ones due to a shortage of jobs.

Initially, the policy enabled all travelers to apply for a work visa if they arrived in Canada before August 24 and had valid temporary residence status.

Since then, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) have broadened the requirements to cover all visitors, regardless of when they arrived in Canada.

What is Eligibility for employer-specific work permit

Those with visitor status must meet the following requirements in order to be considered for an employer-specific work permit:

  • be in Canada with a valid temporary resident status as a visitor, including maintained status, when they submit the work permit application;
  • have submitted an employer-specific work permit application;
  • continue in Canada with a valid status;
  • and submit the application before February 28, 2022.

Foreign nationals who meet the following criteria and have held a valid Canadian work permit for the past 12 months are also eligible to apply for temporary work authorization for their new employer while their application is being processed.

Applicants must meet the following requirements in order to apply for interim work authorization:

  • have valid temporary status when they submit their application and intend to stay in Canada with it;
  • Intend to work for their employer and in the occupation included on their work permit application;
  • and fill out an IRCC Webform.

This extension will benefit travelers who have been allowed to visit Canada despite the coronavirus’s travel restrictions.

Travel restrictions have been loosening since August, with the border reopening to US citizens and, as of September 7, 2021, all properly vaccinated international passengers.

While Canada is in a better position than many other countries, the epidemic is nevertheless having a substantial economic and social impact.

As a result, the government is redoubling its efforts to boost its workforce by allowing both current and new immigrants to contribute to the country’s economic recovery and labor market strength.

In June, according to the most recent labor market data, there were 815,800 job openings, the highest amount since Statistics Canada began collecting data in October 2020.

According to a recent RBC report, the labor shortage is expected to worsen in the coming months.

Travel documents for visitors to Canada

First and foremost, you must identify whether or not you are eligible to enter Canada.

  • have a valid travel document, such as a passport, be in good health, and have no criminal or immigration convictions
  • convince an immigration officer that you have links to your home country, such as a job, a house, financial assets, or family, that will allow you to return.
  • persuade an immigration official that you’ll be leaving Canada at the end of your stay.
  • have sufficient funds to cover your stay

The amount of money you’ll need is determined by how long you’ll be staying and whether you’ll be staying in a hotel or with.

You may also require a medical examination and a letter of invitation from a Canadian resident.

Some persons are barred from entering Canada.

Some persons are ineligible to enter Canada, which implies they are not permitted to do so. You may be ineligible for admission for a variety of reasons, including involvement in:

  • criminal behavior
  • breaches of human rights
  • criminal gangs
  • You may also be deemed ineligible due to security, health, or financial concerns.
Find out more about inadmissibility