The Canadian government has recently updated its list of regions where foreign nationals and employers can’t get or extend work permits under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). If you’re looking to work in Canada, this is important news for you!

As of July 11, 2023, several Census Metropolitan Areas (CMAs) are affected. This includes places like St. John’s, Newfoundland, and Toronto, Ontario. The unemployment rates in these areas are currently above 6%, which puts them on the ineligible list for low-wage work permits.

If you’re applying for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) under the low-wage stream, be aware that applications in these affected regions will not be processed until the next update, expected on October 10, 2025.

But don’t worry! If you have a job offer in a low-wage position in one of these areas, there are still options. You could discuss with your employer about increasing the wage or consider focusing on CMAs where low-wage applications are still accepted.

And remember, if you lose your work permit status due to these changes, there are pathways to stay in Canada, like applying for a visitor record or seeking jobs in exempt occupations!