Human Resources Legislative Update
Temporary Change to Federal Policy Will Permit Visitors to Apply For and Obtain a Work Permit While In Canada
Date: August 24, 2020
The federal government has announced a temporary policy change that will permit visitors currently in Canada who have a valid job offer to apply for, and receive, an employer-specific work permit without having to leave Canada, effective August 24, 2020. The policy change has been made to assist employers who face challenges finding workers in light of COVID-19.
To be eligible, the government requires that an applicant must:
- have valid status in Canada as a visitor on August 24, 2020 and remain in Canada
- have a job offer
- submit an application for an employer-specific work permit that is supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or an LMIA-exempt offer of employment, no later than March 31, 2021
- meet all other standard admissibility criteria.
The government states that this policy change “also provides the opportunity for applicants who meet these criteria and who had a valid work permit in the past 12 months to begin working for their new employer before their work permit application has been fully approved.”
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