Tourists and Visitors Can Apply for Work Permits Until 2025

Tourists and Visitors in Canada Can Apply for Work Permits Until 2025

Foreign nationals currently in Canada on a visitor or tourist visa can continue to apply for work permits from inside Canada until February 28, 2025. As a result, this temporary public policy offers greater flexibility to visitors who secure eligible job offers while staying in the country.

However, it is important to note that simply holding a visitor visa does not automatically make someone eligible for a work permit. Instead, applicants must actively meet all work permit requirements set by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Important Things Visitors Must Understand

Although visitors can apply for a work permit from within Canada, they must submit a complete and compliant application. In other words, applicants cannot apply merely because they are physically present in Canada.

Specifically, visitor visa holders must:

• Secure a valid job offer, and
• Ensure the offer is either supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or qualifies as LMIA-exempt under Canadian regulations.

Furthermore, applicants must carefully verify the LMIA status of the job offer before applying. Without meeting these conditions, IRCC will refuse the work permit application.

Why Did Canada Introduce This Policy?

To address labour shortages and support economic recovery, the Canadian government introduced this temporary public policy to make hiring easier for employers.

Previously, visitors had to apply for work permits from outside Canada. Even if they found a job while visiting, they often had to leave the country before IRCC issued the permit.

Now, under this policy:

• Visitors no longer need to exit Canada to receive their work permit
• Employers gain faster access to skilled and semi-skilled workers
• The process becomes simpler and more efficient for both parties

Initially, Canada limited this policy to visitors who entered before August 24, 2020 with a job offer. Later, the government expanded it to all visitor visa holders, regardless of their entry date. Consequently, many more foreign nationals can now benefit from this flexibility.

Eligibility Criteria for Temporary Public Policy Work Permits

To qualify under this temporary policy, applicants must meet all of the following conditions:

• Hold valid visitor status in Canada on the day of application
• Possess a job offer supported by an LMIA or an LMIA-exempt offer
• Submit an application for an employer-specific work permit
• Apply on or before February 28, 2025
• Meet all standard admissibility requirements, including medical and background checks

Eligibility for Previous Work Permit Holders (Last 12 Months)

In addition, visitors who held a work permit under this temporary policy within the last 12 months may also apply again—provided they meet the following criteria:

• They must be physically present in Canada at the time of application
• They must remain in Canada during processing
• They become ineligible if they leave Canada while IRCC processes the application
• They must hold valid visitor status at the time of application
• If their visitor status expired, they must restore it before applying

Moreover, applicants must confirm that:

• They previously applied for an employer-specific work permit between August 24, 2020, and February 28, 2025, and
• They held a valid work permit within the 12 months before submitting the new application

How SPS Canada Can Help You

As you navigate Canada’s temporary work permit policy, partnering with SPS Canada Immigration can significantly improve your chances of success.

Our experts:

• Assess your eligibility in detail
• Verify LMIA or LMIA-exempt job offers
• Prepare and submit accurate, compliant applications
• Guide you through status maintenance and restoration, if required

Therefore, with SPS Canada’s personalized support, you can confidently take advantage of this public policy and move closer to your Canadian career goals.