Canada has changed its work permit laws, allowing many foreign workers to change jobs without waiting for visa approval.
This temporary strategy aims to shorten delays, close employment gaps, and help both workers and companies.
Under the new guidelines, qualifying foreign nationals can start a new employment as soon as they apply for a work visa.
Previously, employees were expected to wait for full permission before changing roles, which frequently resulted in lost pay and recruiting delays.
The program aims to increase employment mobility, speed up the hiring process, and assist temporary foreign workers in maintaining financial security while transitioning to other jobs in Canada.
This update affects several types of foreign workers, including those on maintained status (workers whose permits have expired but have submitted renewal applications), individuals with valid employer-specific permits looking to change jobs, and workers who previously held permit-exempt positions but now need a permit due to a change in role or employer.
The additional flexibility is applicable to employment in both the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) and the International Mobility Program.
By eliminating the waiting period for work permit clearance, the Canadian government hopes to modernise its immigration processes and better match them with labour market demands.
