Canada Revokes Work Permit Application Law for Foreign Tourists

The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced that it has revoked the temporary law allowing foreign tourists entering Canada on a tourist visa to apply for work permits. Under this law, foreign tourists could apply for work permits upon entering Canada and could remain in the country if their applications were approved. According to the Immigration Department, as of Wednesday, August 28, applications for work permits for foreign tourists already in the country will no longer be possible. This temporary law was introduced in September 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic to assist foreign tourists who were unable to return to their home countries due to border closures. Under this law, they could apply for work permits without needing to leave Canada. Additionally, foreign nationals who had work permits in the past 12 months but changed their immigration status to 'tourist' could work legally in Canada while awaiting a decision on their new work permit applications. This temporary law was set to expire in February of the current year, but the IRCC revoked it before the deadline. According to the department, the end of this law is 'part of broader efforts to readjust the number of temporary residents in Canada and maintain the integrity of the immigration system' in the country. One reason the IRCC revoked this law earlier than planned was the abuse by 'bad actors.' The department stated that individuals misused this law to mislead foreign nationals into working without permits in Canada. The end of this law is part of the department's efforts to combat widespread immigration fraud and reduce the number of temporary residents in Canada. The revocation of this law comes amid extensive changes recently aimed at reducing the temporary foreign workforce in Canada. Under new regulations, the number of foreign nationals entering Canada for work and the duration of their stay will be reduced.