Foreign workers in Canada can change jobs more quickly

Do you need to change jobs in Canada, but you are a temporary foreigner and you know that the process is long and cumbersome? Don't worry, you will soon be able to do it faster. 

Beginning in the summer of 2025, a new temporary public policy from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will come into effect that will allow foreign workers to change jobs within Canada without having to wait for final approval of a new work permit. 

Today we will talk about this measure that represents a relief for both workers and employers. Read with me to the end and see if you can benefit from this policy. Let's get started!

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What does this policy consist of?

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In Canada, foreign workers with a closed work permit almost always have to wait several weeks or even months to obtain a new permit before they can start a new job. This usual delay has generated a kind of apprehension at the moment of wanting to start a job change process, so many people give up the process in order not to lose their job or stay away from a better job opportunity because the process can be long and complicated. This was the reality in Canada until now. 

Fortunately, this policy allows workers to begin their new employment before their new permit is formally approved, provided they meet certain requirements.

The government's intention is to facilitate labor mobility within Canada and to take full advantage of skilled and qualified foreign nationals already in the country, thereby continuing to reduce and control the constant influx of new temporary workers. 

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Who can benefit?

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This policy is aimed at temporary foreign workers who:

• They are within Canada with valid temporary resident status.
• Have submitted an application for a new or renewal work permit under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) or the International Mobility Program (IMP).
• They intend to change employers or occupations.
• They have submitted an application through the IRCC web form requesting the exemption.
• Are in maintained status or possess a valid work permit but limited to one employer.
• Meet other admissibility requirements under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA).

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What rules are temporarily suspended?

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This policy grants exemptions from certain provisions of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR), including:

• Paragraph 183(1)(b): condition of not working without authorization.
• Subparagraphs 185(1)(b)(i) through (iv): conditions related to type of work, employer or working hours.
• Section 196: obligation to have a permit to work.

These exemptions apply until a decision is made on the new work permit application, or until the application is withdrawn.

To better understand how the new policy works, let's look at a demonstration case.

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Case: Juan Rodríguez, Dominican Republic

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Juan Rodriguez came to Canada from the Dominican Republic in 2023 under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program to work at a meat processing plant in Manitoba. In 2025, he was laid off due to a reduction in his employer's production.

Rather than return to his country or remain without income for months, Juan got a new job offer at a food packing company. He filed an application for a new work permit and used the IRCC web form to request the temporary waiver.

Thanks to this policy, Juan was able to start his new job in less than two weeks, without breaking the conditions of his immigration status or losing his source of income. His new employer, in turn, avoided a long wait to fill the vacancy.

If you have a similar situation, you can analyze your case and evaluate your options with the help of regulated consultants. At the end of the text, you will find our services for the immigrant.

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How to apply for this exemption?

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1. Get a new job offer under the TFWP or IMP.
2. Submit the work permit application online.
3. Fill out the IRCC web form and apply for the exemption.
4. Wait for confirmation to start working with your new employer while your application is being processed.

Undoubtedly, in the midst of so many changes in Canada's new immigration dynamics, this policy comes as a more practical and necessary resource for foreign workers in the country. 

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Immigration advice from Immiland Canada

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At Immiland, we offer a comprehensive legal service to help you throughout your immigration process, which you can combine according to your needs to achieve the Canadian dream. 

We welcome measures that improve the quality of life for temporary foreign workers who have contributed so much to the most essential sectors of the Canadian economy. Thanks to skilled international labor, Canada has been able to fill critical vacancies in agriculture, manufacturing, health care and services and will continue to do so in 2025.

If you are a foreign worker in Canada and are considering changing jobs, or if you are an employer looking to hire a foreign national who is already here, this policy could make the process easier for you starting in the summer of 2025.

Do you need legal help to successfully make the job change? A regulated Canadian immigration consultant (RCIC) from Immiland Canada can guide you through the process correctly, quickly and smoothly. Schedule advice here.

Thank you very much for reading us. I hope this topic will be useful for your job transition, see you soon!

With love, 

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Immiland Canada