Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has released a temporary public policy on the exemption from certain requirements when a temporary worker is changing employment.

The new policy will allow foreign workers already in Canada to more quickly begin work in advance of a final decision on their work permit application, provided that they

are changing jobs or employers, and
have secured a job offer under the terms of either the Temporary Foreign Worker Program or the International Mobility Program

to allow for the finalization of the aforementioned work permit application so as to better ensure workers are protected under the applicable employer compliance regulations.

Accordingly, measures are set out to enable temporary workers in Canada with authorization to work in Canada (that is, a valid work permit or authorization to work without a permit) who are required to obtain a new employer-specific work permit before commencing a new job to begin working in a new job while their work permit application is pending. The measures include an exemption from providing biometrics in support of the work permit application if the Service Canada office serving the area where the applicant lives is temporarily closed and is not collecting biometrics due to the pandemic.

This public policy comes into effect on May 12, 2020, and remains in effect until it is revoked by IRCC. For more information please visit IRCC website.