Canada: Time Extended for Visitors To Apply For Work Permit
The Canadian government has extended the time limit for foreign people staying in Canada with visiting visas to apply for work permits in Canada. The policy will be in action until August 31, 2021. The new measure will benefit the visitors.
Therefore, visitors in Canada with valid job offers are allowed to work prior to the work permit gets approved and there is no need to leave the country.
Originally, this policy was introduced by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) between August 24, 2020, and March 31, 2021, to help the visitors amid the covid pandemic.
Now IRCC has extended it further 6 months, till 31 August 2021. An extended helping hand for visitors in Canada.
Previous Rule
Visitors are required to apply for work permits before arriving in Canada itself i.e from their home country.
If the work permit status got approved after arriving or staying in Canada, the respective candidates are required to leave the country and return in order to get eligible for the work permit i.e only afterward gets eligibility to work in Canada.
Modified To Benefit
IRCC modified the criteria that the visitor with a valid job offer is enough to apply for an employer-specific work permit. This means the date they arrived in Canada is not considered.
This policy was introduced on August 24, 2020, and the time limit stated was 31 March 2021
Time Extension
August 31, 2021.
To benefit the visitors in Canada, the govt. has officially extended the time up to August 31, 2021.
Foreign nationals with valid visiting visas and valid job offers can apply for the work permit without leaving the country.