Canada has barred holders of visitor visas from applying for work permits while inside the country, effective immediately.

This was made known by the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on Wednesday, marking a significant shift in policy.

“While the temporary policy was set to expire on February 28, 2025, IRCC is ending the policy as part of our overall efforts to recalibrate the number of temporary residents in Canada and preserve the integrity of the immigration system,” the statement read.

“IRCC is also aware that some bad actors were using the policy to mislead foreign nationals into working in Canada without authorization. IRCC will continue to process applications submitted before August 28, 2024, under the policy.”

The IRCC further said that the decision was influenced by concerns that some individuals were exploiting the policy to mislead foreign nationals into unauthorized employment in Canada.

“IRCC is also aware that some bad actors were using the policy to mislead foreign nationals into working in Canada without authorization. IRCC will continue to process applications submitted before August 28, 2024, under the policy,” the statement added.

This policy was initially implemented in August 2020 as a response to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

At the time, many visitors were stranded in Canada due to international travel restrictions and border closures.

Under the policy, visitors could apply for a work permit without having to leave Canada.

Also, anyone who had held a work permit within the preceding 12 months but had changed their immigration status to “visitor” became eligible to “work legally in Canada while waiting for a decision on their new work permit application.”

[TheNation]