Visitor Work Permit Policy Ended on August 28, 2024: What It Means Now
Zia Waseer
Waseer Law Office
Policy update: this public policy has ended
IRCC ended the temporary public policy that let visitors apply for a work permit from inside Canada on August 28, 2024, earlier than the February 28, 2025 date described below. IRCC continues to process applications it received before August 28, 2024. New applications under this policy are not accepted.
The rest of this article explains how the policy worked and is kept for reference only. Source: IRCC notice, August 28, 2024. Updated October 10, 2026.
Background: the policy as announced in 2023
On February 28, 2023, the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced that it is extending its public policy until February 28, 2025, allowing certain visitorsin Canada to apply for a work permit. The policy, which was initially implemented as a temporary measure due to the COVID-19 pandemic in August 2020, has been extended for the second time. The goal of this policy is to enable eligible foreign nationals with temporary resident status in Canada to apply inland for an employer-specific work permit and work while their application is being processed. The decision to extend the public policy was made in light of Canada’s plans to bring in a significant number of immigrants to address labor shortages throughout the country. It is projected that 100% of the growth in Canada’s labor force will come from immigration, making this policy critical for Canada’s economic growth. This extension allows individuals with existing employment in Canada to continue contributing to the Canadian economy while building their life in Canada.
Who could apply while the policy was in force
According to IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada). A temporary public policy has been issued to allow certain temporary residents to apply for a work permit from within Canada. While all temporary residents can apply for an employer-specific work permit under the public policy, only those who held a work permit in the last 12 months may request interim authorization to work.
Eligibility Criteria for Visitors to Apply for an Employer-Specific Work Permit
In addition to meeting the eligibility criteria for the work permit, a former work permit holder who converted to visitor status may also be eligible for interim authorization to work if they meet all the following:
- have valid temporary resident status at the time of work permit application submission
- held a valid work permit in the 12 months preceding the date on which they submitted their application for a work permit under this public policy, even though they are now only a visitor
- intend to work for the employer and occupation specified by the LMIA or LMIA-exempt offer of employment included in their work permit application submitted under the public policy
- have applied to IRCC for the interim authorization to work as per this public policy using the IRCC Web form
- have requested that the authorization to work be applicable until a decision is made on their work permit application
- will remain in Canada throughout the period during which their work permit application is being processed
These criteria are shown for reference only. They do not apply to new applications.
What visitors can do now
- You cannot work in Canada on visitor status. Working without authorization can lead to refusal of future applications or removal from Canada.
- Most visitors must apply for a work permit from outside Canada. Applying from inside Canada is limited to the situations listed in the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, such as certain family members of students or workers. Whether you qualify depends on your own facts.
- Many work permits need a job offer and, in many cases, a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), unless an exemption applies.
- If you applied before August 28, 2024, IRCC continues to process that application under the policy. Keep your status valid while you wait.
Rules change often. Check the current requirements on the IRCC work in Canada page before you apply.
If you are in Canada as a visitor and want to work, we can review your status and options. Book an immigration consultation or contact us.
