Canada has officially ended the temporary measure that allowed visitor visa holders to apply for work permits without leaving the country. This policy, introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, was initially designed to help alleviate labour shortages by allowing foreign nationals already in Canada on visitor visas to transition to work permits, filling critical roles in various sectors.
The decision, effective immediately, means that visitors in Canada who wish to work will now need to follow the standard procedure of applying for a work permit from outside the country. This change marks the end of a policy that had been extended several times due to its popularity and the ongoing labour needs in Canada.
The policy’s termination is expected to have wide-reaching effects, particularly on industries that have relied on the flexibility it provided to quickly fill job vacancies. The Canadian government, however, has emphasized that the policy was always intended as a temporary measure and that the labour market conditions no longer necessitate its continuation.
This move has garnered mixed reactions. While some applaud the return to normalcy, others express concern about the potential impact on businesses and the availability of workers in sectors like hospitality, construction, and healthcare, which have heavily depended on the influx of temporary workers.
As Canada continues to adjust its immigration and labour policies post-pandemic, stakeholders are urged to stay informed about the implications of these changes on their workforce planning and explore alternative avenues for recruiting skilled labour.
