Canada is putting an early end to a temporary public policy put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic that allowed visitors to Canada to apply for work permits while in the country.
That policy was to end on Feb. 28 next year but was ended six months early as Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) takes steps to cut down on the number of temporary residents in Canada and curb demand on the housing sector.
“IRCC is also aware that some bad actors were using the policy to mislead foreign nationals into working in Canada without authorization,” notes the federal immigration department’s website.
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.
That came to an end Aug. 28 but federal immigration officials will continue to process work permit applications submitted before that date.
When the temporary public policy was first put into effect, then Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino touted it as an important measure to help Canadian businesses get much-needed labour during the pandemic.
“We have heard from employers who continue to face challenges recruiting and hiring the workers they need during the pandemic,” said Mendicino.
“At the same time, some visitors in Canada may be able to contribute their skills where there are labour shortages.
“This exemption from the normal temporary work permit requirements is aimed at removing barriers to create a more agile workforce that leverages visitors with the skills and experience to accelerate our economic recovery.”
Canada offers two types of work permits, employer-specific and open work permits, and most foreign nationals need such a work permit to work in the country.
“An employer-specific work permit lets you work in Canada according to the conditions on your work permit, such as the name of the specific employer you can work for, how long you can work, and the location where you can work,” notes the IRCC.
Before an applicant can request an employer-specific work permit, his or her employer must give him or her a copy of the employment contract and either a copy of a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or an offer of employment number for LMIA-exempt workers.
An open work permit lets the foreign national work for any employer in Canada, except for one that is listed as ineligible on the list of employers who have failed to comply with the conditions, or regularly offers striptease, erotic dance, escort services or erotic massages.
Some jobs require a medical exam but if a foreign national doesn’t want medical conditions on his or her open work permit, he or she can get a medical exam from a panel physician.
PGWP Applications At Ports Of Entry No Longer Accepted
Regardless of where the foreign national applies for his or her work permit or the kind of permit they are hoping to get, they must:
prove to an officer that he or she will leave Canada when the work permit expires;
show he or she has enough money to take care of him or herself and any family members during their stay in Canada and to return home;
obey the law and have no record of criminal activity;
not be a danger to Canada’s security;
be in good health and have a medical exam, if needed;
not plan to work for an employer listed with the status “ineligible” on the list of employers who failed to comply with the conditions;
not plan to work for an employer who, on a regular basis, offers striptease, erotic dance, escort services or erotic massages, and;
give the immigration officer any other documents requested to prove he or she can legally enter the country.
“Anyone can apply before they enter Canada,” notes the IRCC. “However, there may be visa office requirements that you need to meet depending on what country or territory you’re applying from.”
In a bid to curb a practice known as “flagpoling”, Canada put an end on June 21 this year to the practice of allowing foreign nationals to apply for Post-Graduate Work Permits (PGWP) at a port of entry such as an airport, land or marine border when entering Canada.
“While we continue to support and recognize the contributions of international graduates to Canada’s labour market, ‘flagpoling’ is unnecessary,” says Immigration Minister Marc Miller.
“The time and effort required to process applications from ‘flagpolers’ takes officers on both sides of the border away from their crucial role in protecting the safety, security and prosperity of Canadians and Americans. This measure will help prevent this practice, while maintaining the integrity of our immigration system.”
From March 1 last year to the end of February this year, PGWP applicants represented about one fifth of the foreign nationals who attempted to flagpole, notes Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
“Flagpoling places an undue burden on our border services officers,” says Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc.
“With this change, we’re taking a measured approach to combating the issue and putting an even greater focus on maintaining the integrity of our shared border with the United States.”
