With Canada’s recent announcement halting the processing of work permit applications for individuals holding visitor status, many are questioning the options available to remain in the country.
Before August 28, visitors in Canada could apply for work permits from within the country, a temporary measure introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic. This policy allowed those stranded in Canada due to travel restrictions to work while addressing critical labor shortages. However, as Canada’s Immigration Minister, Marc Miller, noted, the country has now recovered 138% of the jobs lost during the pandemic, with an unemployment rate of 6% as of June 2024.
As a result, Canada has begun rolling back many temporary pandemic-era measures. This means that visitors in Canada may now find it more difficult to obtain work permits, but there are still ways to stay in the country with valid status.
What You Need to Know as a Visitor in Canada
Arriving in Canada as a visitor does not grant you the right to work or study. You must leave before your visitor status expires unless you apply for an extension. A visitor visa, issued by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), typically allows multiple entries over a ten-year period, though not all nationalities require one. Some may only need an electronic Travel Agreement (eTA) to enter Canada.
Upon entering the country, visitors are often issued a visitor record by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), granting lawful stay for up to 183 days. The expiration date on this record indicates when you must leave. If you wish to extend your stay, you must apply to IRCC before your current status expires—at least 30 days in advance.
Extending or Restoring Your Status
If your visitor status is close to expiration, you can apply for an extension to maintain your lawful status in Canada. However, if your status has already expired, you cannot apply for an extension. You may be eligible for restoration of status if you apply within 90 days after your status expires. Beyond that, you must leave the country.
Work or Study Permits in Canada
If you are in Canada on a work or study permit, you can apply to extend your status and continue residing in the country. Once IRCC receives your application, you are granted “maintained status,” allowing you to continue working or studying while waiting for a decision.
Maintained status can be proven with documentation showing that you’ve submitted an extension application.
While Canada is winding down pandemic-era immigration policies, there are still pathways to remain in the country lawfully, whether as a visitor, worker, or student. Stay informed of your options to ensure compliance with Canadian immigration rules.