Ottawa: In a landmark shift that spells major relief for thousands of Indian professionals and other foreign workers, the Canadian government has revised its employment policy, simplifying the rules around changing jobs within the country. Under the newly amended work permit regulations, foreign nationals with valid work authorization no longer need to wait for final approval of a new work permit before starting employment with a different employer.

This transformative policy applies to those who are already in Canada and have either a valid work permit or are under maintained status—meaning their previous permit has expired but they have submitted an application for renewal and are legally allowed to remain and work under the same conditions.

Previously, foreign workers tied to a specific employer had to wait for full processing of a new work permit before beginning a job with a different company—often leading to frustrating employment gaps and financial strain. The new rule eliminates that waiting period, enabling foreign workers to transition seamlessly into new roles while their permit applications are still being processed.

The rule is a lifeline especially for those facing unforeseen job changes—such as layoffs, internal role shifts, workplace conflicts, or the pursuit of better opportunities. Now, if such workers receive a new job offer under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program or the International Mobility Program, they can begin their new employment right away, rather than enduring weeks-long delays.

However, a crucial requirement remains: a new work permit application must be submitted before starting the new job. This ensures compliance and documentation while removing the bottleneck caused by processing times.

Foreign workers who hold employer-specific permits, those exempted from requiring permits, and workers under special programs can all benefit from this updated framework, as long as they’ve initiated the appropriate application process.

Canada employs foreign talent across sectors—from agriculture to high-tech industries—and this streamlined policy is expected to bring flexibility to both workers and employers. The move reflects Canada’s intent to protect the rights of migrant workers while supporting the country’s labor market needs with greater efficiency and humanity.