Canada: Temporary exemption for work permit holders when changing employment

The Canadian Government has taken steps to indefinitely extend a temporary policy that was introduced during the Covid era which exempted eligible holders of employer based work permits from certain specific requirements when changing employment.

Effective as of 27 May 2025 the policy extension was implemented by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).  The extended policy enables foreign national workers in Canada with valid work permission to begin working in a new job whilst awaiting the outcome of a change of work permit application for the new role.

Individuals expected to benefit from these measures include foreign nationals who:

• are on “maintained status” and are authorised to work while their work permit application is pending, but who are bound to the conditions imposed on their expired work permit such that they cannot move to a new occupation or employer while on maintained status;

• continue to hold a valid work permit that limits them to working for a named employer, but need to transition to a different occupation or employer for reasons that may include having been laid-off; or

• are work-permit exempt, but require a work permit to work in a new occupation or for a new employer.

The foreign worker must apply for this public policy exemption online. If this application is successful, the exemption will be valid until a decision is made on their work permit application.

An earlier exemption on providing biometrics in support of the work permit application has been removed since the physical covid era limitations no longer exist.

If you require further information on Canada or global immigration matters please contact [email protected] and [email protected]

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