If you’re a foreign worker in Canada with a closed work permit, here’s some great news that might make your life a whole lot easier. The Canadian government has decided to keep a helpful policy that’s been around since the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing you to find a new employer even before your new work permit comes through.
What is the Policy About?
Normally, if you have a closed work permit (that’s the kind that ties you to one specific employer or job role), you’re stuck working for that one company until you get a brand-new permit. Since the introduction of the new policy, things changed completely. Suppose you are on a closed work permit. In that case, you can obtain authorization from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and switch jobs careers while you’re waiting for your paperwork to be processed.
The entire concept was originally developed in 2020 when COVID-19 disrupted everyone’s plans. Workers were losing jobs, and the government realized people needed more flexibility to survive. Now, they’ve updated and extended this lifeline, and it’s sticking around until further changes are made.
How Can I Benefit From This?
Generally, you can apply for the special permission if you are a foreign national, given that you meet the following conditions:
- You already have a valid status in Canada (or “maintained status” – basically, you submitted an extension application before your status expired)
- You have already sent in your application for a new work permit or extension of your current work permit, and you were legally allowed to work at the time you submitted that application.
- You’ve received a job offer from a new employer or for a different type of work.
