Canada Tightens Immigration Rules, Ends Visitor-to-Work Permit Policy

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has ended a temporary public policy that allowed visitors to apply for work permits from within Canada.

The IRCC implemented this policy in August 2020 to assist visitors who were unable to leave the country due to COVID-19-related travel restrictions.

http://ekohotblog.com/EKO HOT BLOG reports that under this policy, visitors in Canada could apply for a work permit without needing to exit the country.

Additionally, foreign nationals who had previously held a work permit within the last 12 months but had since changed their status to “visitor” could legally work in Canada while awaiting a decision on their new work permit application.

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Although the temporary policy was initially set to expire on February 28, 2025, the IRCC decided to terminate it earlier as part of efforts to manage the number of temporary residents in Canada and maintain the integrity of the immigration system, according to a statement published on the government’s website on Wednesday.

The IRCC also acknowledged that “some bad actors were exploiting the policy to mislead foreign nationals into working in Canada without authorization.”

However, the government noted that it would continue processing applications submitted before August 28, 2024, under this policy.

This change is expected to significantly affect potential migrants, including Nigerians, who may have considered this avenue to secure residency in Canada.

The announcement comes amid rising tensions earlier this week, when tens of thousands of international students protested across Canada against new immigration policies that could lead to the deportation of approximately 70,000 students.

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Canada remains a popular destination for many Nigerians seeking better opportunities and education, particularly amidst the ongoing wave of emigration known as ‘Japa.’

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