Effective today, August 24, temporary residents who are currently in Canada and have a valid job offer will be able to apply for an employer-specific work permit without having to leave Canada.

To be eligible, the temporary resident (visitor) must:

• have valid status in Canada as a visitor on August 24, 2020 and remain 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, by March 31, 2021

• meet all other admissibility criteria

Applicants who meet these criteria and who had a valid work permit in the past 12 months can begin working for their new employer before their work permit application has been fully approved. IRCC will mail the work permit to them.

This new policy will benefit employers in Canada who continue to face difficulties finding the workers they need, and temporary residents who would like to contribute their labour and skills to Canada’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.