In a landmark decision that promises to improve labor mobility, protect worker rights, and address employer shortages across Canada, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has extended a crucial temporary public policy. This policy allows foreign nationals on closed work permits—traditionally tied to a specific employer—to change employers while they await new permit approvals.
This move is more than just a policy update—it’s a response to a pressing reality. Thousands of temporary foreign workers (TFWs) in Canada face exploitation, layoffs, or severe limitations due to the restrictions imposed by closed work permits. With this extension, IRCC sends a clear message: flexibility and fairness for foreign workers are essential to Canada’s social and economic success.
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What Are Closed Work Permits?
To appreciate the significance of this policy, one must first understand the concept of closed work permits. These permits, officially known as “employer-specific work permits,” allow a foreign worker to work in Canada, but only for the employer and job specified in the permit. This system, while beneficial for streamlined labor entry, often leaves workers vulnerable. If the employer terminates their contract, closes the business, or engages in misconduct, the worker is left in limbo—unable to legally work for anyone else until a new permit is approved.
The processing time for new employer-specific work permits can stretch over several weeks or even months. During this period, the affected worker may face economic hardship, mental stress, and an uncertain future.
The Evolution of the Policy
The policy that IRCC has now extended was first introduced in 2020 as a response to the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. With widespread layoffs and closures, foreign workers tied to single employers were left stranded. Recognizing this, IRCC allowed these workers to begin new jobs with other employers while their new permits were still being processed—provided they applied and met certain criteria.
Initially introduced as a temporary relief measure, the policy has become an essential safety valve in Canada’s immigration and labor ecosystem. In 2024 alone, tens of thousands of foreign workers utilized this provision to move to better opportunities, escape exploitative conditions, or re-enter the workforce after layoffs.
The 2025 extension reflects not only the continued need for such a mechanism but also its proven success in balancing the needs of the labor market with those of vulnerable foreign workers.
Eligibility Criteria: Who Can Benefit?
The policy is not open-ended—it targets a specific category of workers and comes with conditions. To qualify, a worker must:
- Be physically present in Canada.
Workers applying from outside Canada are not eligible for this policy. - Hold valid status in Canada—either through a valid work permit or maintained status (formerly known as implied status).
- Have submitted an application for a new employer-specific work permit.
- Await a decision on the submitted application.
- Not fall into ineligible categories such as business visitors or short-term Global Skills Strategy applicants.
Once a worker submits their new work permit application, they must also apply for interim authorization to work through the IRCC web form. This interim authorization is the legal document that allows them to begin working for the new employer while their new permit is in process.
Step-by-Step: How to Change Employers Under This Policy
The process to change employers under the new IRCC guidelines is relatively straightforward, although it must be followed precisely. Here is a breakdown:
- Secure a New Job Offer
The worker must first obtain a new valid job offer from an eligible employer, including an approved Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or an LMIA-exempt offer supported by an employer compliance fee. - Apply for a New Work Permit
Submit an online application for a new employer-specific work permit with the new job offer attached. - Request Interim Authorization
Contact IRCC through the web form with the subject line “PPCHANGEWORK2020.” Include:- UCI (Unique Client Identifier)
- Application Number
- Full name
- The new employer’s name
- Job title
- Start date of the new job
- Receive Authorization
Wait for confirmation from IRCC. Once interim authorization is granted, the worker can begin working in the new role.
This process helps reduce employment gaps, ensures a smoother transition, and prevents the economic fallout that comes with long delays.
Why This Policy Matters: Worker Voices and Employer Needs
Canada’s economic success depends heavily on temporary foreign workers. From agriculture and food processing to healthcare and technology, these workers fill essential gaps in the labor market. But tying them to a single employer can sometimes lead to power imbalances and vulnerability.
Worker Perspective:
Many workers have reported feeling trapped by the closed work permit system. If their employer becomes abusive, cuts hours, or stops operations, the worker often has no choice but to remain in Canada unemployed or return home—often at great financial loss. The IRCC policy gives them hope, dignity, and control over their employment fate.
Employer Perspective:
Employers across Canada are experiencing acute labor shortages. The ability to hire experienced workers already present in Canada, without waiting months for full permit processing, gives them a crucial advantage. Industries like agriculture, elder care, trucking, and manufacturing are already benefiting from this flexibility.
Advocacy Groups and Legal Experts Weigh In
While the extension has been widely praised, many believe it doesn’t go far enough. Several civil society groups and immigration lawyers are advocating for permanent reforms to the employer-specific work permit model.
“It’s a band-aid on a broken system,” says Meera Khanna, Director of Migrant Workers Advocacy Forum. “We need more open work permits that don’t tie a worker to a single employer. That’s where true protection and fairness lie.”
Legal experts also raise concerns about consistency in interim work approvals and the time it takes to receive authorization. “While it’s a step in the right direction, some workers wait weeks for the interim authorization, which defeats the purpose,” explains Toronto-based immigration lawyer Joshua Elias.
The Future of Work Permits in Canada
Canada’s immigration system is undergoing a transformation. The federal government has announced its intention to reduce the number of temporary foreign workers over the next few years to promote economic stability and transition more TFWs to permanent residency.
With this in mind, many believe that allowing foreign workers greater flexibility now will ease this transition.
“If we want to truly integrate these workers into Canadian society and economy, we must provide them the same freedoms we expect for domestic workers,” says Khanna.
There are also talks within policy circles of expanding open work permits for sectors that are traditionally dependent on temporary foreign labor, including seasonal agriculture and home care.
Conclusion: A Welcome Step, But Not the Final One
IRCC’s decision to extend the policy allowing foreign workers on closed work permits to change employers is not just an administrative move—it’s a human-centered policy grounded in compassion, pragmatism, and economic foresight.
This extension reaffirms Canada’s commitment to supporting temporary foreign workers, ensuring labor market continuity, and protecting human rights. However, as experts and advocates point out, it must be seen as a stepping stone toward deeper, long-lasting reforms.
For now, thousands of workers across Canada will breathe a little easier, knowing that their ability to work, live, and contribute is backed by a policy that recognizes their resilience and importance.
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