Specifically, starting July 1, 2024, holders of these visas have a grace period of up to 180 consecutive days, or a maximum of 365 days in total up from the current period of 60 consecutive days. During this new grace period, visa holders will be allowed to work for other employers and to work in occupations not listed on their most recently approved nomination. Previously, during the 60-day grace period, visa holders were prohibited from working for any other employer until a new nomination was approved under the new sponsor. The new grace period applies to those granted a visa on or after July 1, 2024, as well as existing visa holders.
Additionally, if a visa holder stopped working for their employer prior to July 1 2024, the days they have accumulated not working will not count towards the 180- or 365-day grace period.
However, there are no changes in sponsorship obligations for the employer—the sponsoring employer will still have to notify the authorities of any changes to the employment of a foreign employee (such as cessation of employment or change in work duties) within 28 days from the date of any change. With this new policy, skilled foreign employees will have more flexibility in changing jobs within the country, but the downside is that employers will need to readjust their practices to accomodate this short-term ‘flexibility’ because there will doubtless be visa holders (advised or not) who will seek to take advantage of these changes – and their sponsors.