New temporary public policy: Visitors can apply for a work permit without having to leave Canada

A new public policy was announced today by the Honourable Marco E.L. Mendicino, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, allowing visitors who are currently in Canada and have a valid job offer to apply and receive an employer-specific work permit without having to leave the country.
This temporary policy aims to benefit employers in Canada who continue to face difficulties finding the workers they need, as well as temporary residents who would like to contribute their labour and skills to Canada’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the pandemic some visitors to Canada have been unable to leave, while some foreign workers had to change their status to visitor because their work permit was expiring and they didn’t have a job offer to be able to apply for a new work permit. Some employers in Canada have also faced ongoing labour and skills shortages throughout this period, including those who provide important goods and services that Canadians rely on.

To be eligible, an applicant looking to benefit from this temporary public policy 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

This temporary public policy 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.