The COVID-19 epidemic led Canada to implement as a part of its immigration program a guest worker regime that allowed foreigners to work without stepping on the land .
In a time when international travel was almost impossible, this policy served an important purpose by allowing some migrants trapped in Canada to wait for restoration of global airline networks and across-border routes or they would have returned home without being able to get any formal employments and earn a living as a result of flight bans or closure of borders (Talev; Agra & Jaychander).
According to Tannenberg and Jager in case this were going to jump into our faces it would be one off kind of band-aid that landed on the heads of these people while they were waiting for the return of world connections.
However, as August 28, 2024, IRCC by order of Government of Canada made announcement about suspended implementation of this policy forever. This thus marks end of an era that began well good is gravely flawed with time.
Reasons Why Visitor Work Visa Program Stopped in Canada?
The decision to discontinue the Canada Visitor Work Permit Policy prior to its original ending date of February 28th 2025 was driven by several key factors.
One of them was government statistics that clearly indicated that there was need for modification of the temporary resident numbers so as to sustain the integrity of the immigration system. The policy was meant to be temporary during COVID-19 pandemic but resulted into an unforeseen rise in temporary citizenship holders that put strain on Canada’s resources like housing market, employment rates and overall infrastructure.
Moreover, there were also reports indicating that some stakeholders had taken advantage of the policy for their own selfish gain. Reports indicated that some individuals and institutions were wooing immigrants from other nations by making false job offers within their territories without relevant licenses or permits.
Such illegal recruitment practices not only violated Canadian immigration laws but also put at risk foreigners who fell victim to them through various forms of labor exploitation. In order to maintain its immigration credibility IRCC decided to stop this type of program so as not to lose control over the situation any further.
Transient Foreign Workers Bear the Brunt of Policies that End
The ramifications of a shut down in the Canada Visitor Work Permit Policy are very significant, particularly for those temporary foreign workers who expected to get work permits without leaving after transitioning from being visitors.
Historically, transitory labor has been highly sought after by Canada particularly from India and Mexico. These workers have been employed in various industries across the Canadian economy including agriculture, construction and health sector among others. However this sudden change in direction has left numerous job seekers and particularly current temporary residents facing uncertainty about their fate in Canada.
In addition to terminating the Visitor Work Permit Policy, the Canadian government has enacted new regulations that are aimed at minimizing the number of temporary foreign basic laborers entering the nation.
One of their most significant alterations is pausing processing Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) applications concerning specific low-wage jobs in areas where unemployment rate exceeds or equals six percent effective from September 26, 2024.
The process leading to LMIA is an important step for employers who want to employ foreign workers since it proves that there is a need for a foreigner worker to occupy a job which cannot be handled by a citizen or permanent resident.
Besides, for low-wage stream employees, maximum employment period has been reduced from two years to one year hence tightening conditions under which foreign workers might remain in Canada.
This shift not only limits how long they will work but also makes uncertain those employees who intended to settle down on a long term basis in Canada.
Canada’s Immigration Policy Changes
Ending the Canada Visitor Work Permit Policy is a part of a bigger movement on the immigration policies in Canada that reflects the government’s policy concerning the rapid growth of temporary residents’ population.
To this end, the Canadian government strives to cut down on how many people coming into the country only for a limited time can be accommodated by creating an immigration system that is more sustainable and manageable.
Under this broader strategy are some restrictions imposed on the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). Under this program, one major change is capping foreign workers’ employment opportunities for Canadians.
This means that according to these new provisions employers can have up to 10% of their workforce as foreigners (among others). This reduced hire percentage from what used to be permissible could seriously affect those industries that have always had significant dependencies on these kinds of workers.
These changes made by the government are a result of their worries regarding the strain on Canadian infrastructures and resources. According to Minister of Immigration Marc Miller, the temporary resident population in Canada has increased quickly, standing at approximately 2.5million or 6.2per cent of the total population.
This rapid growth rate of temporary residents they argue is causing housing shortages, competition for jobs and stress on public services like education and healthcare.
Impacts of Changes on International Students
Canadians’ international education is now facing new challenges following the abolishment of the Canada Visitor Work Permit Policy as well as various modifications surrounding immigration policies.
Canada has served as one of the best options for international students over decades owing to its high quality education and job opportunities after graduation. Full time employment that aids their quest for permanent residency is what encourages some international students to seek part-time jobs which they expect will provide them with funds throughout their academic life.
In contrast, acquisition of working permits by these pupils and getting employment offers has been difficult because of governmental rules put forth recently in Canada.
The restriction imposed under Temporary Foreign Worker Program limiting the number of foreign laborers an employer may hire makes it more difficult for these students to locate jobs which may help them stay in their home country through grounds for residence applications later.
This means that there are fewer jobs available today and yet there are many other people competing for those few available posts all over again because some other students studying abroad are already facing these strains now.
The scheme devised by the government to reduce temporary resident numbers has led to tight rules on immigration channels which used to be easily accessible by foreign scholars.
For example, the Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP) was a hot cake, with skilled workers and new graduates flocking to it in search of an avenue towards permanent residence; however, it now has its limits and restrictions. These changes have made foreign students more tactical and proactive in their Canadian immigration journey.
Temporary Residents in Canada’ Future
The end of Canada Visitor Work Permit Policy made the temporary residents’ future in Canada more complex. Canada has been attracting temporary residents but with tougher regulations and fewer opportunities to work or stay there, people willing to do so have to navigate through.
International students as well as foreign workers are, therefore advised to keep track of the changing policies so that they can discover alternate channels that will assist them in working and residing legally within Canada.
This implies that; immigration policies may change in future due to issues like democracy, economics among others while still underscoring integrity of immigration systems.
Such kind of environment is dynamic, meaning that probably the customers may need where those changes are directed variously in nature or geographical placement across Canada where employment/use of licit spaces became cheaper or real estate became cheaper than usual.
Conclusion: The End of Canada’s Visitor Work Permit Policy
To conclude, abolishing of the Canada Visitor Work Permit Policy is a watershed moment in how Canada handles its temporary resident population. Originally avowed as an emergency solution to COVD-19 crisis, this policy was of crucial assistance to stranded upon in Canada visitors. Nevertheless, it was terminated earlier due to alleged abuse and need for recalibrating number of temporary residents.
The shift brings into focus other changes to immigration policies in recent times that illustrate the Canadian government’s unwavering commitment to upholding the very principles that define its migration system.
As Canada perfects its migration framework going forward; unprepared expatriates have no choice but adapting themselves within new surroundings.
Future goal-seekers who intend on settling down in Canada should consider different avenues through which they can achieve their dreams while remaining flexible as this nation works through a variety of post-pandemic recovery measures and immigration strategies.
