Applying for employer-specific work permits without setting a foot outside Canada

Canada has released more details about who will be considered eligible for a new temporary policy that will give an advantage to temporary residents who have job offers. They refined the information about eligibility requirements for international candidates who are looking to activate their work permits during the pandemic.

What does the new policy mean?

The new policy was announced a while back, and it will allow eligible foreign nationals to apply for a job offer-supported work permit when they are inside Canada. Moreover, eligible foreign nationals will not be refused a work permit in case they have not complied with particular temporary residence conditions. Eligible former temporary foreign workers may also get to continue working while the decision is still pending on their work permit.

Foreign nationals planning to apply for an employer-specific work permit while staying in Canada must have legal visitor status in Canada. They could also be in Canada on implied status. Another eligibility requirement is that they must have been physically present in the country on August 24, 2020, and not left since.

Temporary workers

Temporary workers who changed to “visitor” status might also be authorized to work if they meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Should have valid temporary resident status as a visitor.
• Physically been in Canada on August 24, 2020, and not left since.
• Had a valid work permit in the last 12 months before the date on which they completed their submission of the application for a work permit according to this new policy.
• Should intend to work under the employer and in the occupation mentioned by the LMIA or LMIA-exempt offer of employment in the application.
• Must have applied to IRCC in order to get interim authorization to work and requested that it be valid until a decision is made.