The Canadian government has introduced a major change to its immigration policy, allowing foreign workers to switch jobs immediately after applying for a new work permit—without waiting for official approval. This new rule is expected to ease employment challenges for thousands of immigrants living and working in Canada.
Previously, foreign workers who wanted to change jobs had to wait until their new work permit was approved before starting a new position. This often led to long periods without income, delays in hiring for employers, and stress for workers facing job loss or poor work conditions.
Under the new policy, announced as a temporary public measure, eligible foreign workers can begin working in a new job as soon as they submit a work permit application—saving time and money for both employees and employers.
According to the BBC, this decision is aimed at reducing unemployment periods, improving job mobility, and helping businesses in Canada fill vacancies faster. The change affects workers under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) and the International Mobility Program (IMP).
The policy applies to three main groups of foreign workers in Canada:
1. Workers with “Maintained Status”
These are individuals whose work permits have expired but who have already applied to renew them. Before now, they were stuck in limbo—unable to start new jobs until they got a new permit. Now, they can switch employers and begin working while waiting for their renewal decision.
2. Current Permit Holders Looking for a New Job
Foreign workers with valid permits can now take up new jobs immediately after applying for a fresh permit. This is especially useful for those who lose their jobs, find better opportunities, or are facing difficulties with current employers.
3. Workers Now Needing a Permit
Some people who were previously exempt from needing a work permit—due to special roles or employer types—now need one because of changes in their job or employer. These individuals can also start working right away once they apply for a new permit.
To take advantage of the new flexibility, a worker must:
-Receive a valid job offer from a Canadian employer.
=Submit a new work permit application related to that offer.
-Begin working immediately—without waiting for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to approve the permit.
This process offers a big improvement over the old system, which often caused long and expensive breaks between jobs.
The Canadian government says the policy is part of its ongoing effort to modernise the country’s immigration and labour systems. While the measure is temporary, it may shape long-term reforms to support a more flexible and worker-friendly approach.
For Nigerian and other immigrants in Canada, this update could bring major relief—especially for those looking to change jobs quickly or avoid being stuck in unfavourable work conditions.
Employers in Canada are also expected to benefit from faster hiring processes and fewer delays in filling roles.
As Canada continues to rely on immigrant labour to support its economy, policies like this show a growing recognition of the need for fairness, flexibility, and speed in the immigration system.
