Two important temporary public policies were announced by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Allow me to share these two important announcements that will benefit our kababayans who are in Canada.
New temporary public policy will allow visitors to apply for a work permit without having to leave Canada
IRCC announced last August 24, 2020 a public policy that will allow visitors to apply for a work permit without leaving Canada.
This temporary public policy will address certain employers in Canada who continue to face difficulties in finding workers as well as temporary residents who would like to contribute their labour and skills to Canada’s recovery from COVDI-19 pandemic.
To benefit from this policy please find below eligibility requirements:
- have valid status in Canada as a visitor on the day they apply
- have been in Canada on August 24, 2020 and remained in Canada
- have a job offer
- submit an application for an employer-specific work permit that is supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or an LMIA-exempt offer of employment, no later than March 31, 2021
- meet all other standard admissibility criteria
Please note that foreign nationals who arrive in Canada as visitors after August 24, 2020 ARE NOT ELIGIBLE under the public policy.
Public policy exempting certain out-of-status foreign nationals in Canada from immigration requirements
Normally visitors, study and work permit holders in Canada have 90 days after their temporary immigration status expires to apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to restore it.
Due to COVID-19 pandemic, IRCC implemented a new public policy that allows foreign nationals in Canada an extension to apply for restoration beyond the current 90-day timeframe. Former workers, students and visitors whose status expired after January 30, 2020, and who remained in Canada will now have until December 31, 2020, to apply to restore their status, provided they meet the requirements for the type of status and authorization they are applying to restore.
The public policy allows former work permit holders applying for an employer-specific work permit to work while a decision on their restoration application is pending. An applicant must meet the requirements below:
- have a valid job offer
- submit a work permit application that is supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or an LMIA exempt offer of employment
- notify IRCC through the process set up for eligible foreign nationals.
If you have questions regarding the above article you may contact Marjorie at [email protected]
Source: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
A word of caution: You should not act or rely on the information provided in this column. It is not a legal advice. To ensure your interests are protected, retain or formally seek advice from a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) in good standing of ICCRC. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of RCIC’s.
