New Minister of IRCC & New Rule for TFWs

Hello World! Today, we would like to share the latest news of the new Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (IRCC) and a new policy aimed at supporting Temporary Foreign Workers (TFWs) who wish to switch employment.

New Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

On May 13, 2025, Lena Metlege Diab was named the new Minister of IRCC, replacing Rachel Bendayan, as part of the new cabinet announced by Prime Minister Mark Carney.

Profile of the New Minister:

https://lop.parl.ca/sites/ParlInfo/default/en_CA/People/Profile?personId=18199

Details of the announcement:

https://www.cbc.ca/lite/story/1.7533605

New Policy to Support TFWs in Changing Jobs

On May 27, 2025, IRCC introduced a new temporary public policy to provide greater flexibility for foreign workers holding employer-specific Work Permits to change jobs or employers. This policy replaces the temporary measure introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, with improvements to reflect today’s economic conditions.

Overview of the New Policy

With this new policy, foreign workers in Canada can now start working for a new employer as soon as they’ve submitted their Work Permit application, without having to wait for final approval. This helps prevent income interruptions during the processing period and allows employers to fill needed roles more quickly.

To be eligible for this policy, you must apply through the online system designated by IRCC. If you are unable to apply online, there are alternative methods available. However, in either case, you must complete the required application and receive approval to begin working before your new Work Permit is officially issued.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for this program, you must

• Be in Canada and hold valid immigration status or visa
• Be authorized to work in Canada at the time of the Work Permit application
• Have submitted a Work Permit application to work for a new employer or occupation
• Intend to work for the new employer or occupation
• Have applied for a public policy exception through the online system designated by IRCC

For more details about the new policy, please refer to the link below.

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/mandate/policies-operational-instructions-agreements/public-policies/changing-employment.html

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As mentioned above, a new policy has been introduced to support TFWs seeking to change jobs. Under this policy, eligible individuals can begin working for a new employer even before the new Work Permit application is finalized.

For those who are currently considering changing jobs, this new policy may provide more opportunities to explore new options. If you need advice or assistance with the procedures for using the new policy or applying for a Work Permit due to a job change, please contact us using this form.

“You are one step closer to Canada!”