The Canadian government has introduced a groundbreaking reform to its work permit rules, now allowing eligible foreign workers to switch jobs immediately after submitting a new permit application — without waiting for official approval. This move aims to increase job mobility, reduce administrative delays, and benefit both temporary foreign workers and Canadian employers.
According to TravelBiz, the new temporary public policy will provide greater flexibility for foreign nationals by removing prior restrictions that often led to unemployment gaps, financial instability, and slowed hiring processes. By modernizing its approach, Canada seeks to streamline job transitions, improve career mobility, and help businesses access talent more quickly.
New Policy Designed to Bridge Job Gaps and Boost Hiring
Under the previous system, foreign workers were required to wait for full authorization from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) before beginning a new role — even if they had already applied for a new permit. This caused considerable delays, forcing many workers to pause their income and careers while employers struggled to fill critical roles.
Now, eligible individuals can start their new job right after submitting a valid application, significantly cutting down waiting periods and employment disruptions. The updated regulation supports smoother transitions, helping workers avoid financial strain and enabling businesses to onboard employees faster.
Who Qualifies Under the Updated Work Permit Policy?
The temporary public policy applies to three distinct categories of foreign workers in Canada:
1. Workers on “Maintained Status”
This group includes individuals whose previous work permits have expired but who have already submitted renewal applications. Under the old rules, these workers were still tied to the conditions of their expired permits and couldn’t change employers. Now, they are free to begin new employment while their renewal is pending.
2. Valid Permit Holders Seeking New Opportunities
Foreign nationals who currently possess a valid work permit — whether employer-specific or occupation-specific — can now switch jobs as soon as they file a new permit application. This offers a crucial advantage to those affected by layoffs, seeking better opportunities, or needing to exit unsuitable work environments.
3. Previously Exempt Workers Now Requiring Permits
Some workers were previously exempt from requiring a work permit but now need one due to a change in job type or employer. These individuals are also eligible to begin their new employment immediately after submitting the application, rather than waiting for final authorization.
Programs Covered Under This Policy
The updated policy applies to positions filed under two of Canada’s major foreign employment programs:
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Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)
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International Mobility Program (IMP)
As long as the worker has a legitimate job offer and submits a new permit application under either of these frameworks, they can start the role without delay.
How to Take Advantage of the New Policy
To benefit from this flexible work permit update, foreign nationals must complete three simple steps:
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Obtain a valid job offer from a Canadian employer.
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Submit a new work permit application tied to that specific offer.
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Start working immediately in the new position without waiting for IRCC’s final decision.
This streamlined process marks a significant improvement over the previous system, where waiting for work permit approval could take weeks or even months, leaving foreign workers in limbo and employers short-staffed.
A Win-Win for Workers and Employers
The Canadian government’s move represents a proactive effort to modernize its immigration and labor policies. By minimizing bureaucratic delays and easing the burden on both workers and businesses, the temporary public policy reflects Canada’s commitment to creating a more responsive and inclusive workforce environment.
The change is especially valuable in a tight labor market, where employers across multiple industries are seeking skilled and semi-skilled labor to fill ongoing vacancies. For foreign workers, this also means better job security, increased career flexibility, and protection against abrupt job losses or hostile work environments.
A Step Toward a More Dynamic Labour System
In today’s fast-moving labor landscape, this policy shift demonstrates Canada’s recognition of the importance of worker mobility. It not only supports individual career progression for foreign nationals but also strengthens the nation’s economic competitiveness by enabling quicker hiring and reduced workforce disruptions.
With immigration continuing to play a vital role in Canada’s long-term economic growth, this new temporary public policy underscores the country’s commitment to maintaining a fair, adaptive, and forward-looking system for both foreign talent and local employers.
While the policy is currently temporary, its success may influence long-term reforms in Canada’s broader work permit and immigration strategies. For now, it represents a major step forward in aligning labor market needs with immigration policy flexibility.
