Temporary public policy to exempt certain visitors in Canada from immigration requirements during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic

Policy effect

Established an updated temporary public policy permitting eligible foreign nationals with valid temporary resident status to apply for a job offer-supported work permit from inside Canada.

Conditions and exceptions

Validated condition or limit: Established an updated temporary public policy permitting eligible foreign nationals with valid temporary resident status to apply for a job offer-supported work permit from inside Canada.

Official source excerpt

Quoted verbatim from the official source below. Ellipses indicate omitted text.

… corporate/mandate/policies-operational-instructions-agreements/public-policies.html) # Updated: Temporary public policy to exempt certain visitors in Canada from immigration requirements during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic ## Background: As a result of the unprecedented upheaval caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, many foreign nationals may be in Canada for the foreseeable future 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. Despite increased unemployment across Canada, labour shortages persist in key areas of the Canadian economy, including in sectors such as agriculture and healthcare. In-Canada visitors may have the experience and skills needed to fill the gaps where employers may have previously sought workers from abroad. 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. Therefore, I hereby establish that, pursuant to my authority under section 25.2 of the *Immigration and Refugee Protection Act* (the Act), there are sufficient public policy considerations that justify the granting of exemptions from the requirements of the Act and the *Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations* (the Regulations) listed below to foreign nationals who meet the conditions (eligibility requirements) set out below. 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. ## Conditions (eligibility requirements): Based on public policy considerations, delegated officers may grant an exemption, until a decision is made on the work permit application described below or the application is withdrawn, from the requirements of the Act and the Regulations identified if: 1. The foreign national: 1. has submitted an in-Canada work permit application to perform work described in subparagraphs 200(1)(c)(ii.1) or 200(1)(c)(iii) of the *Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations*, for which a decision has not been made; and 2. was in Canada with valid temporary resident status when the work permit application referred to in (i) was submitted and has since remained in Canada with valid temporary resident status. 2. The foreign national: 1. … selection requirements not exempted under this, or another, public policy. ## Effective date and expiration This public policy takes effect on April 1, 2021 and expires on August 31, 2021. Marco E. L. Mendicino, P.C., M.P. Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Dated at Ottawa, this 22nd day of March 2021 ## Page details 2021-03-29 ## About this site ### Immigration and citizenship - [Help Centre](https://ircc.canada.ca/english/helpcentre/index-featured-can.asp) - [Contact us](https://canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/contact-ircc.html) - [Check your application status](https …

Review method

Two separate automated exact-claim source reviews

Other Canada changes operative in 2021

• 2021-01-05Parents and Grandparents Program 2020 Income Requirement Relief
• 2021-01-27Temporary public policy for former students in Canada with expired or expiring post-graduation work permits
• 2021-02-01Ministerial Instructions on Mandatory Online Applications
• 2021-02-22Enhanced COVID-19 Border Compliance and Quarantine Mandates
• 2021-05-17Expansion of Education Requirements for Hong Kong Open Work Permit Pathway
• 2021-06-17Rules Amending the Federal Courts Citizenship, Immigration and Refugee Protection Rules (SOR/2021-149)
• 2021-06-21Expansion of Travel Exemptions for Approved Permanent Residents
• 2021-06-28Special PR Policy for Over-Cap International Graduate Applicants (TR to PR Pathway)
• 2021-06-28Temporary public policy exempting some foreign nationals in Canada from requiring an immigration medical exam
• 2021-06-29Express Entry Invitation to Apply (ITA) Submission Period Restored to 60 Days
• 2021-07-09Expansion of the Student Direct Stream (SDS) to Seven New Countries
• 2021-07-16Launch of a Dedicated Refugee Stream for Human Rights Defenders
• 2021-07-20Announcement and Criteria for 2021 Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) Intake
• 2021-07-30Updated Temporary Public Policy for Out-of-Status Construction Workers in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA)
• 2021-08-12Regulations Amending the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (Seizure Provisions) — SOR/2021-202
• 2021-08-13Establishment of the Special Afghan Resettlement Programs
• 2021-08-31Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) Eligibility Expansion to Quebec Economic Streams
• 2021-08-31Expiration of Broad COVID-19 Restoration Public Policy
• 2021-09-01Mandatory Electronic Filing for Temporary Resident Applications
• 2021-09-07Border Reopening and Quarantine Exemption for All Fully Vaccinated International Travelers
• 2021-09-09Re-issuance of Exemption Policy for Excluded Family Members (IRPR 117(9)(d) and 125(1)(d))
• 2021-09-19Temporary Public Policy for Resettlement of NATO's Afghan Locally Engaged Staff
• 2021-09-30Resettlement Pathway for Afghan Human Rights Defenders
• 2021-10-06Extension of In-Person Exemption for Inland Refugee Claimants
• 2021-10-18Changes to the pre-removal risk assessment for Afghanistan
• 2021-10-25Afghan Families Resettlement Program Status Update
• 2021-11-05Closure of Temporary Resident to Permanent Resident (TR to PR) Pathway
• 2021-11-30Mandatory ArriveCAN Vaccine Disclosure for Essential Services
• 2021-12-09New Permanent Residence Pathway for Extended Family of Afghan Interpreters
• 2021-12-16Fee Exemptions and Status Extensions for Foreign Nationals Directly Affected by British Columbia Floods