Canada has recently launched a new policy that prohibits temporary residents on visitor visas from applying for work permits within the country, a decision that significantly impacts their ability to work and stay in Canada.
This policy change, effective yesterday, August 28, ended a measure introduced in August 2020 to support visitors stranded in Canada due to COVID-19-related border closures, VisaGuide.World reports.
As the Government of Canada revealed, this policy was set to remain in place until February 28, 2025. However, now that the country wants to recalibrate the number of temporary residents and preserve immigration system integrity, the policy has been halted.
Under the policy, visitors in Canada could apply for a work permit without having to leave the country. In addition, foreign nationals who had held a work permit in the previous 12 months but who 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.
IRCC Ends Policy Early to Tackle Temporary Resident Surge and Combat Immigration Fraud
Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has decided to terminate it early as part of broader efforts to manage the influx of temporary residents and uphold the integrity of Canada’s immigration system.
The decision aligns with IRCC’s ongoing battle against immigration fraud and aims to reduce the number of temporary residents in the country. For example, last year, 700 Indian international students were found to have entered Canada using fraudulent admission letters from Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs), many of whom were unaware of the fraud.
In response, IRCC now mandates that DLIs confirm the authenticity of acceptance letters within ten days of receiving student applications and has capped the number of international students admitted over the next two years.
During the pandemic, Canada eased rules for international students and migrant workers to address labor shortages and welcomed Ukrainians and Afghans displaced for humanitarian reasons. These policies contributed to a dramatic increase in the temporary resident population, which has more than doubled, rising to 2.8 million from 1.4 million two years ago.
With the pandemic over, critics argue that the policy allowing work permit applications from within Canada encouraged some visitors to come under the guise of tourism while seeking employment and pathways to permanent residency. In response, border enforcement has intensified checks at entry points, particularly airports, to ensure that visitors are genuine travelers.
Canada to Reduce Temporary Foreign Workers by 65,000
Moreover, Canada will reduce the number of temporary foreign workers by about 65,000, with new regulations set to take effect on September 26, 2024. Under the updated rules, permits for low-wage foreign workers in regions experiencing high unemployment will be terminated. Additionally, the duration of low-wage temporary foreign worker permits will be cut from two years to one year.
Source: Visa Guide