Media / News

Canada ends temporary public policy allowing visitors to apply for work permits from within Canada Source: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/notices/ends-tpp-allowing-visitors-apply-work-permits-within-country.html Ottawa, August 28, 2024— Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has ended a temporary public policy that allowed visitors to apply for a work permit from within Canada, effective immediately. IRCC introduced the policy in August 2020 to help visitors who were unable to leave the country due to COVID-19 pandemic–related travel restrictions. Under the policy, visitors in Canada could apply for a work permit without having to leave the country. In addition, foreign nationals who had held a work permit in the previous 12 months but who changed their status in Canada to “visitor” could apply to work legally in Canada while waiting for a decision on their new work permit application. 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…

Extended work and study permit measures for Ukrainians in Canada Source: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/notices/extended-work-study-permit-measures-ukrainians-canada.html Ottawa, August 23, 2024—As Russia continues its illegal and unjustifiable invasion of Ukraine, Canada is continuing to adapt its response to support those who have found a temporary safe haven here. Ukrainians and their family members who were approved under the Canada–Ukraine authorization for emergency travel, and who arrived in Canada on or before March 31, 2024, can now apply for an open work permit until March 31, 2025. Under these extended measures, they can apply to get a new open work permit that’s valid for up to 3 years, apply to extend a current open work permit or apply for a new study permit, subject to standard fees. In addition, all Ukrainian temporary residents and their family members in Canada can access free settlement services until March 31, 2025. For more information, visit the Immigration measures and support for Ukrainians…

Canada opening more visa application centres in Mexico Source: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/notices/canada-opening-more-visa-application-centres-in-mexico.html Ottawa, May 31, 2024—Canada is opening three new visa application centres (VACs) in Mexico City, Monterrey and Guadalajara, Mexico at the end of May to better serve applicants who want to travel to Canada. The new VACs will initially provide biometric collection services only, and then we will work to expand the range of services to include transmitting and tracking passports or other documents. In the meantime, applicants can continue to access the full range of services at the existing VAC in Mexico City. With these new centres, Mexico will have four VACs located in the country’s three largest metropolitan areas. This will make it easier for Mexican nationals to provide biometrics to come to Canada if required, and support travel and people-to people ties between the two countries, while also preserving the integrity of Canada’s immigration…

Canada announces extension to the Agri-Food Pilot Source: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/2023/05/canada-announces-extension-to-the-agri-food-pilot-facilitating-access-to-permanent-residence-for-workers-and-their-families.html May 8, 2023—L’Orignal, Ontario— The Government of Canada recognizes the importance of supporting the agri-food sector’s labour market needs and strengthening Canada’s food supply system. One key to success for Canadian farmers and food processors is their ability to recruit and retain a skilled workforce. The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, today announced the extension of the Agri-Food Pilot, which will now run until May 14, 2025. Launched in May 2020, the pilot helps facilitate the transition of experienced workers in agricultural and food industries to permanent residence in Canada. To support employers and candidates, the Minister also announced the removal of the annual occupational caps, or the limits for how many candidates…

New temporary public policy to benefit Hong Kong permanent residence applicants Source: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/notices/hong-kong-pr-applicant-work-permit.html Ottawa, May 7, 2024—Canada continues to stand by Hong Kong nationals and supports their freedom and democracy. We continue to monitor the situation in Hong Kong to ensure our immigration programs remain responsive to the needs of Hong Kong residents wishing to come to Canada. A pathway to permanent residence for in-Canada Hong Kong nationals was launched on February 8, 2021, as part of Canada’s response to developments in Hong Kong. Due to a high volume of applications, processing times for this pathway have grown, and many applicants are at risk of seeing their temporary status in Canada expire before their permanent residence applications are finalized. A new public policy will be launched in the coming weeks to let Hong Kong permanent residence pathway applicants extend their status and get a new open work permit in Canada while they wait for a decision on their…