Many foreign nationals may be in Canada without the ability to seek employment as visitors. This includes former temporary foreign workers who transitioned to visitor status upon the expiry of their work permits, visitors who had their plans disrupted by COVID-19 impacts such as international border restrictions, job loss, or illness, and visitors who continue to travel to Canada for non-discretionary and/or compassionate reasons.

Allowing visitors to apply for work permits associated with a job offer while in Canada would give foreign nationals with visitor status the ability to support themselves during their time in Canada while also addressing employer needs.

This public policy will:

• permit eligible foreign nationals with valid temporary resident status to apply for a job offer-supported work permit from inside Canada;

• exempt eligible foreign nationals from the requirement that a work permit not be issued if they have not complied with certain temporary resident conditions; and

• allow eligible former temporary foreign workers to work while a decision on their work permit application is pending.

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