Canada Allows Foreign Workers to Start New Jobs while Waiting for a Work-Permit Application

What’s New?

As of May 27, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) introduced a temporary public policy that allows qualified foreign workers already in Canada to begin new jobs right after submitting a work permit application and before IRCC provides final approval.

Why It Matters

• No More Gaps in Employment: When workers had to wait for weeks—or sometimes months—for new permits, they missed out on income and delayed job offers.
• Agile Hiring: Employers can hire potentially qualified employees already in Canada more quickly.
• Crisis Intervention: The move supports labor market stability and productivity across key sectors like healthcare, agriculture, IT, and services.

Who Is Eligible?

The policy is limited to three categories of groups:

• “Maintained-status” workers – whose work permit expired and have applied for a renewal.
• Workers with valid employer-specific permits – who are going to apply for a new employer or occupy a new occupation.
• Work-permit-exempt individuals – who must now apply for a work permit due to a new job or employer change.

Step-By-Step Process

• Find a valid job offer under either the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) or International Mobility Program (IMP) from your employer.
• Submit a new or renewal work permit application that is connected to that job offer.
• Request interim authorization — using IRCC’s web form, which includes code
• Wait to receive a confirmation email from IRCC, which is usually sent within 10-15 days.
• Once you receive favorable interim authorization, you can begin working, even before you receive your permit.

Key Conditions to Track

• You must be in Canada with valid status at the time of application.
• Submit under section 200 of the Immigration & Refugee Protection Regulations.
• Job offers must meet program requirements—i.e., LMIA for TFWP or LMIA‑exempt for IMP.
• Request the interim exemption via the correct IRCC form and code—PPCHANGEWORK2020.

This is a significant and flexible response by Canada’s IRCC, aligning with labor market demands and supporting the stability and mobility of temporary foreign workers—while also helping employers fill roles swiftly.

What You Should Do

• If you are currently on a closed work permit and wish to change jobs, you should apply as soon as possible using the IRCC form.
• Employers, when issuing job offers to TFWs, consider including this clause and prepare the relevant LMIA or IMP documentation.
• Please note that this is a temporary policy and is subject to change.

For more information, visit Abhinav Immigration Services and schedule a consultation with a licensed immigration advisor.