Visitors to Canada may apply for a work visa under the scheme without needing to exit the nation.

Additionally, while they awaited the outcome of their new work permit application, foreign nationals who had possessed a work permit for the preceding 12 months but had altered their status to “visitor” could seek to work lawfully in Canada.

The Canadian government said in a statement posted on its website on Wednesday that “the IRCC is ending the policy as part of our overall efforts to recalibrate the number of temporary residents in Canada and preserve the integrity of the immigration system,” even though the temporary policy was scheduled to expire on February 28, 2025.

Additionally, “some bad actors were using the policy to mislead foreign nationals into working in Canada without authorization,” as the IRCC was aware of.

However, it stated that in accordance with the rules, it will still handle applications received before August 28, 2024.

The move is anticipated to have a significant effect on anyone considering migration, particularly Nigerians who may choose to look into the possibility of staying in the nation.

The news also comes at a time when tensions were already high earlier this week when tens of thousands of foreign students protested government-introduced immigration restrictions that may result in the deportation of roughly 70,000 of them from Canada.

Many Nigerians travel to Canada in search of better opportunities and education, particularly in light of the recent “Japa” epidemic that has swept through the nation.