Syed Khan – 10 September 2021,
In the latest announcement, released on 31 August, the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) said that the temporary COVID-19 policy that allows visitors to get work permits without having to leave the country would be extended until February 28, 2022. The policy is open to any visitor who meets the criteria, including super visa holders, business visitors, and those who entered via a Global Skills Strategy work permit exemption.
Timeline:
- This policy first came into existence on August 24, 2020, and was limited to only those who arrived in Canada after that date.
- The first extension was on April 1, 2021. At this time, the IRCC also changed the criteria of the policy to allow visitors with a job offer to apply for an employer-specific work permit, regardless of when they initially entered Canada.
- IRCC said that in the first 8 months of implimentation of this policy, almost 1,000 people with visitor status applied for a work permit.
In the rules stated as of April 1, 2021, applicants looking to benefit from the policy must have:
- A valid status in Canada as a visitor on the day they apply
- Remained in Canada with valid status
- A valid job offer
- Submit an in-Canada application for an employer-specific work permit which should be supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or an LMIA-exempt offer of employment, with the date no later than August 31, 2021.
- Meet all other standard admissibility criteria.
Applicants who meet all the above criteria and hold a valid work permit within the last one year can begin working for their new employer while their work permit application is processed by the IRCC.
Aim of the policy:
The policy has been implemented to help people who are in different situations due to the COVID-19 pandemic, including:
- Employers facing ongoing labor and skills shortages during the pandemic.
- Visitors who have been unable to leave.
- Foreign workers who had to change their status to the 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.
If you are looking to Study, Work, Visit or Migrate to Canada, talk to I Can Help Immigration Services, Canada’s No.1 Immigration & Visa Company to get the best help you need
