Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has abruptly terminated a temporary policy that allowed visitors to apply for work permits within Canada. The measure, introduced in August 2020 to assist those stranded due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, ended on August 28, 2024, before its scheduled February 2025 expiration. IRCC cited the need to recalibrate temporary resident numbers and maintain the integrity of the immigration system as reasons for the early cessation. The decision also aims to prevent exploitation by those misleading foreign nationals into unauthorized work. Applications submitted before the cutoff date will still be processed under the policy.
