In Short:
- IRCC plans permanent job mobility, letting foreign workers switch employers immediately after applying for new permits.
- Workers gain freedom, employers hire faster—but must improve conditions to retain talent amid stricter hiring rules.
Canada is planning a big change for foreign workers. Right now, most people who come to work in Canada on a Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) permit can only work for one employer. If they want to leave their job, they usually must wait for a new work permit before they can start working somewhere else.
But now, the government wants to change that. A new report says that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is thinking about allowing foreign workers to start a new job right after applying for a new permit, instead of waiting for it to be approved.
This could make a big difference for many workers and employers in Canada.
Why This Matters
Today, most foreign workers are on what’s called a “closed work permit.” That means their job, location, and employer are all listed on the permit. If they want to switch jobs or leave a bad situation, they must wait weeks—or even months—for a new permit before they can start working again.
This can be stressful for workers. Some people feel stuck in unsafe or unfair jobs. Others lose income while waiting to get approved for new work.
In May 2025, the government introduced a temporary fix. Workers could apply to change employers and ask for “interim authorization,” which let them start a new job while waiting for approval. This was part of a wave of changes we covered in our article on how Canada’s Prime Minister announced key changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. Now, IRCC is considering making that rule permanent.
What It Means for Employers
If this change happens, businesses will be able to hire workers faster, especially if they are already in Canada. Employers won’t need to wait so long for approvals, which can help fill job openings quicker.
But there’s a catch.
With more flexibility, workers will also be able to leave their jobs more easily. So, employers may need to make sure their workplace is fair, supportive, and legally sound. That means better contracts, clear onboarding processes, and better worker retention strategies.
At the same time, other changes are also making hiring harder in some places. In regions with high unemployment, like Toronto and Vancouver, low-wage LMIA applications are no longer being accepted. If you’re hiring in these areas, it’s important to understand the broader impact of recent reforms, as discussed in our blog: Is the Temporary Foreign Worker Program Ending?
What It Means for Workers
For workers, this is mostly good news. If the change becomes official, they will be able to leave jobs where they feel unsafe or unhappy—and start working in a new role without waiting a long time.
This can give workers more freedom and better opportunities.
However, the change may not apply to everyone. The government may still limit this to people with valid status in Canada or those working in certain job sectors. In recent months, they have talked about sector-specific permits, which only allow workers to change jobs within the same industry—like agriculture or fish processing. These plans, along with new rules about wage deductions for housing, raised concerns among experts, which we explained in our post on TFWP reforms and what employers and workers need to know.
The government is also working on a full package of reforms based on feedback from employers and worker groups. These include new rules for housing, wages, access to health care, and transportation—part of a larger effort to improve safety and fairness for foreign workers.
So while job mobility might improve, other changes could still make things tricky.
How It Fits with Other Changes
The Canadian government has made many changes to the TFW program this year. In June, it increased the minimum wage thresholds needed to hire foreign workers. This affected many employers, especially those hiring in industries like retail or food service.
At the same time, some regions saw new limits on the number of low-wage workers employers can bring in. These changes were made to protect Canadian jobs, but they also made it harder for businesses to fill labor gaps.
Now, with this new idea of permanent job flexibility, the government seems to be moving toward more worker-friendly rules—but only in some areas.
Employers and workers should both stay alert, as these changes will keep evolving.
What You Should Do Now
If you are an employer, review your hiring process and employment contracts. Understand which workers may be allowed to change jobs more easily—and what you can do to keep them.
If you are a foreign worker, check if you are eligible to switch jobs under the current interim policy. If you are already in Canada, you may not have to wait for full approval to begin your next job.
For both groups, understanding how the TFW program is changing can save time, money, and trouble.
How Can Our Immigration Lawyers Help You?
At Nanda & Associate Lawyers, we stay updated on every change to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. We help employers make sure they are hiring legally and protecting their workforce. We help foreign workers understand their rights, switch jobs safely, and avoid mistakes during work permit applications. We also support people facing LMIA rejections or those who want to explore permanent residency pathways.
Whether you’re hiring, working, or managing legal documents, we can guide you every step of the way.
