Canada Halts Visitor-to-Work Permit Policy, Impacting Migrants 🇨🇦

Canada Concludes Temporary Work Permit Policy for Visitors, Impacting Prospective Migrants

Canada Ends Visitor-to-Work Permit Policy, Affecting Thousands of Migrants

The Canadian government has officially terminated the temporary policy that allowed visitors to apply for work permits from within the country, a move that could significantly impact those seeking to migrate. The policy, introduced by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) in August 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, permitted visitors who were already in Canada to apply for work permits without needing to exit the country. This policy was particularly beneficial for those who had previously held work permits but had switched to visitor status, as it enabled them to work legally while awaiting the outcome of their new applications.

The Canada visitor-to-work permit policy ends decision comes earlier than expected, as the policy was initially slated to expire on February 28, 2025. According to an official statement, the IRCC decided to conclude the policy as part of broader efforts to recalibrate the number of temporary residents in the country and maintain the integrity of the immigration system.

There were concerns about the misuse of the policy, with some “bad actors” allegedly exploiting it to deceive foreign nationals into working in Canada without proper authorization. The IRCC has committed to processing applications submitted before the cut-off date of August 28, 2024, under the now-defunct policy.

This development is expected to have a profound impact on potential migrants, including many Nigerians who had hoped to use this pathway to secure a stay in Canada. The announcement also coincides with recent tensions in Canada, where tens of thousands of international students protested new immigration policies that could result in the deportation of around 70,000 individuals.

Canada has long been a sought-after destination for Nigerians, especially amidst the ongoing “Japa” wave, which has seen a significant number of people seeking better opportunities abroad. With the Canada visitor-to-work permit policy ending, many prospective migrants will need to explore alternative avenues to achieve their dreams of relocating to Canada.

For now, the path to Canadian work permits has narrowed, and the effects of this policy shift will likely reverberate across the migrant community for some time.