How workers on closed work permits can change employers while awaiting a decision on a new work permit

Currently, it’s possible for temporary foreign workers on closed work permits to start a new job before being issued a new work permit, due to a temporary public policy introduced during the Covid-19 era.

Prior to the introduction of this temporary public policy, workers on closed work permits would need to wait for their new work permit application to be approved before changing employers — meaning that it could take many months for them to change jobs.

In 2020, the federal government introduced a temporary policy allowing foreign workers in Canada to start work for a new employer even before getting a new work permit approved.

Who is eligible?

In order to be eligible, a foreign national must:

Be in Canada with valid temporary resident status (this includes a maintained status);
Have held a valid work permit, or have been authorized to work without a work permit when their application for a new work permit or work permit renewal was submitted;
Have submitted a work application or be renewing an application for an employer-specific work permit (for which a decision has not yet been made);
Intend to work for the new employer as specified on the job offer;
Have applied for the public policy exemption, as identified by the department (details on the process below); and
Have requested the exemption to be applicable until a decision is made on their work permit application.