COVID-19: Under temporary policy, visitors may apply for work permits without leaving

IMPACT – HIGH

Canada has implemented a temporary policy that allows certain visitors to apply for an employer-specific work permit without having to leave the country.

Key points:

• In order to be eligible for a new employer-specific work permit, applicants must:
  • Have a valid visitor status in Canada on the day they apply (visitors include super visa holders, business visitors and those who entered Canada through the Global Skills Strategy work permit exemption);
  • Have been in Canada on Aug. 24 and remained in Canada;
  • Have a job offer;
  • Submit an application no later than March 31, 2021, for an employer-specific work permit that is supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or an LMIA-exempt job offer; and
  • Meet all other standard admissibility criteria.
• Applicants who meet these requirements who also had a valid work permit in the last 12 months are allowed to start working for the new employer before their work permit application has been fully approved. Instructions for this process are here.
• Foreign nationals arriving as visitors after Aug. 24 are not eligible.

Analysis & Comments: The new policy is intended to support employers in Canada seeking workers and help temporary residents find jobs. Please check Deloitte’s COVID-19 Digital Map, available here, for information on travel restrictions and immigration changes in other countries.

This alert was prepared by de Lint LLP, an independent immigration law firm, allied with Deloitte LLP in Canada.