Thousands of temporary foreign workers who have made Canada their home are facing an uncertain future in Canada, with the full effects of the so-called ‘4-in, 4-out’ rule scheduled to kick in on April 1, 2015.
Changes made by the government of Canada to the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) program in 2011 mean that after a temporary foreign worker has reached a four-year cumulative duration limit, he or she will not be granted another work permit in Canada for the next four years. After that time has elapsed, the worker may again be permitted to work in Canada temporarily for up to four years. Foreign workers in management or professional positions, designated as National Occupational Classification (NOC) code 0 or A, respectively, are not affected by these regulations. A complete list of exemptions may be found at the end of this article.
The first temporary foreign workers to whom the rule applies could reach their four-year limit next week, with more workers expected to be affected as time goes on. While many of these workers and their families have established new lives in Canada and wish to remain in the country, doing so may prove challenging. That being said, it may well be the case that all is not lost. Here are some potential immigration solutions for temporary foreign workers facing an uncertain future in Canada.