Recent developments in Canada’s immigration policies have led to a reversal of a rule change that would have restricted reciprocal employment work permits to individuals already employed outside the country.

The initial change, mistakenly communicated through updated instructions to officers on the immigration department’s website in July 2026, has been clarified as an error resulting from a version control issue. An official statement from the immigration department acknowledged the error and emphasized that the policy was not intended.

The corrected instructions were reissued on August 6, 2026, removing the clause that required workers to be currently employed by a foreign company and prohibiting permits for those whose employment would commence upon arrival in Canada.

Reciprocal employment work permits, categorized under code c20 in the International Mobility Program (IMP), offer an exemption from the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) requirement, streamlining the application process compared to permits obtained through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP).

These permits, issued under code c20, are granted when hiring a foreign national in Canada contributes to creating or maintaining similar job opportunities for Canadian citizens and permanent residents abroad. They are commonly utilized by multinational corporations, international non-profits, and government entities.