In a significant move that brings much-needed flexibility to international workers in Canada, the Canadian government has introduced a temporary public policy that allows foreign nationals to change jobs and begin working immediately—without waiting for their new work permit to be approved.
This policy, announced in early June 2025, aims to ease the challenges faced by temporary foreign workers in Canada, particularly those stuck in limbo while transitioning between jobs or employers.
What Has Changed?
Under the new rules, foreign workers already in Canada with valid work authorization who are applying for a new work permit can start their new jobs even before receiving final approval. This marks a shift from earlier rules, where foreign nationals had to wait for the processing of their new permits before they could legally begin a different job.
The policy applies not just to those with expiring work permits but also to workers on maintained status—a situation where a worker has applied to extend their status before the permit expires, allowing them to continue working under the same conditions. Previously, these individuals were barred from switching employers or occupations during the waiting period. The new rule lifts that restriction.
Who Benefits?
This interim measure is a major advantage for:
- Workers who are switching jobs within Canada due to layoffs, better opportunities, or internal role changes.
- Foreign nationals under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) or International Mobility Program (IMP).
- Workers on maintained status awaiting a decision on their work permit renewal.
- Individuals who are exempt from work permit requirements for their current job but need one for a new role or employer.
The Only Condition: Submit Your Application
To take advantage of this rule, the only major requirement is that the individual must have already submitted a new work permit application. Once the application is in process, the worker can begin their new job without delay—even while Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is still reviewing the request.
Why This Matters
Temporary foreign workers are a critical part of Canada’s labor force, filling skills gaps across sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, construction, IT, and hospitality. Delays in work permit processing have often caused disruptions not only for the workers themselves but also for employers eagerly waiting to fill open roles.
Previously, a worker needing to switch jobs had to endure weeks—sometimes months—of waiting before being able to legally start new employment. For employers, this resulted in significant hiring delays. The new policy smooths out these bottlenecks and ensures that both employees and employers can proceed without unnecessary interruptions.
A Step Towards Flexibility and Fairness
The Canadian government has acknowledged that employment situations can change rapidly—due to layoffs, workplace incompatibility, or better career prospects. In such cases, sticking with a single employer due to legal constraints can be both impractical and unfair.
This temporary public policy represents a step forward in supporting worker mobility, professional growth, and economic productivity within Canada. It gives foreign workers greater flexibility and helps businesses operate more efficiently.
What Happens Next?
While this is a temporary policy, it could pave the way for more permanent reforms in Canada’s work permit system. Foreign workers and Canadian employers alike are hopeful that similar flexible and worker-friendly measures will continue.
As of now, all foreign nationals looking to benefit from this new rule should ensure they have a valid status and submit a complete work permit application for the new job. Once the application is filed, they’re free to begin working without delay. If you’re a foreign worker in Canada planning to switch jobs, you no longer need to wait weeks for permit approval. Submit your new work permit application, and you can start working right away..
