Canada has announced the end of its policy that allowed visitor visa holders to apply for work permits while in the country, signaling a shift in immigration rules.
Individuals with Canadian visitor visas will not have the option to request a work permit while within Canada.
This news coincides with recent immigration reforms which have caused protests, particularly among international students.
On Wednesday, the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada announced that it will immediately terminate the policy permitting visitors to obtain a work permit.
The statement conveyed that although the temporary policy was scheduled to cease on February 28,2025; IRCC intends to terminate it as a significant step in balancing the count of transient inhabitants in Canada and safeguarding soundness throughout its enfolded immigration procedures.
In August 2020, a policy was implemented to provide support for individuals visiting Canada who were unable to go back home due to COVID-19-related border shutdowns.
It was possible for visitors to obtain a work permit within Canada. Additionally, those who switched from holding a work permit in the last year to being classified as “visitor” were now able to legally work while waiting for their new application decision.
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Nevertheless, the IRCC stated that “certain unscrupulous individuals were exploiting the policy to deceive foreign nationals into engaging in unauthorized work in Canada.”
The statement clarified that applications submitted prior to August 28, 2024 will still be processed under the same policy.
Earlier this week, tensions intensified as a multitude of international students gathered across Canada and demonstrated against the federal government’s newly introduced immigration policies. These measures may result in roughly 70,000 individuals being deported.
Canada had 37% study visa holders who were international students by the year 2023.
The government contends that the recent limitation on student visas is imperative in reducing pressure on housing, unemployment and public services. This measure comes with an expected decline of 35% in foreign students enrolled.
The Canadian government announced in June that foreign nationals would be ineligible to apply for a PGWP at the border, resulting in further tightened regulations.
The apprehension of students regarding their future in Canada has heightened due to this ruling.
International graduates could potentially be deported after their work permits expire at the end of the year, according to warnings from student advocacy groups such as Naujawan Support Network.
