Canada Ends Scheme For Visitor-To-Work Permit Conversion

Canada Ends Scheme For Visitor-To-Work Permit Conversion

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has ended its temporary policy that allowed visitors to apply for work permits from within Canada. Introduced in August 2020, the policy aimed to assist visitors stranded due to COVID-19 travel restrictions by letting them apply for work permits without leaving the country…….CONTINUE READING 

Under this policy, visitors could apply for work permits while in Canada, and those who had recently held a work permit but were in visitor status could also apply to work legally while awaiting their new permit decision.

The IRCC announced that, despite the policy’s original expiration date of February 28, 2025, it is being terminated earlier to manage the number of temporary residents and maintain the integrity of the immigration system. The decision is also influenced by concerns that some individuals were exploiting the policy to work without proper authorization.

The IRCC will still process applications received before August 28, 2024, under this policy. The change is expected to significantly affect potential migrants, including Nigerians, who have been seeking opportunities in Canada amid the broader trend of migration known as ‘Japa.’

This development comes at a time of heightened tension, with recent protests in Canada over new immigration policies threatening the deportation of around 70,000 international students.