Canada has introduced major immigration reforms for marine workers under the International Mobility Program (IMP), marking a significant shift in how foreign seafarers, ship officers, and maritime professionals can work in the country. These changes, announced by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on July 18, 2025, are designed to address labor shortages, improve worker protections, and bring Canada’s practices in line with international maritime standards. Here’s a detailed update on what has changed, who is affected, what actions are required, and what these changes mean for pending and future applications.
Summary of What Changed
The most important updates for marine workers under the International Mobility Program include:
- Introduction of open work permits for seafarers under the new C61 category
- Faster entry and reduced paperwork for short-term and transit assignments
- Visa-free shore leave and priority repatriation rights
- Stricter employer compliance requirements, including new documentation and proof of fair labor practices
- Priority processing for women and underrepresented groups in marine transportation
- Alignment with international standards, especially the International Labour Organization (ILO) and International Maritime Organization (IMO) guidelines
- Upcoming language testing requirements for some IMP applicants (still under consultation as of July 2025)
- New Marine Safety Management System Regulations expected to take effect by mid-2025
These reforms are already in effect for new applications as of July 18, 2025, with some regulatory changes, such as language testing and safety rules, expected to be finalized later in the year.
Who Is Affected
The changes directly impact several groups:
- Foreign seafarers, ship officers, and maritime professionals seeking to work temporarily in Canada 🇨🇦
- Employers in the marine transportation sector, including shipping companies operating in Canadian waters
- Women and underrepresented groups interested in marine careers, who now benefit from priority processing and targeted inclusion efforts
- Foreign-flagged vessels operating in Canada 🇨🇦, which must now meet stricter labor and safety standards
- Pending applicants for marine-related work permits under the IMP, who may see faster processing or new documentation requirements
Effective Dates
- July 18, 2025: New IMP rules for marine workers take effect.
- April 2025: Canada 🇨🇦 reaffirmed its commitment to ILO standards, shaping these reforms.
- Mid-2025: New Marine Safety Management System Regulations are expected to come into force.
- Late summer/fall 2025: Final decisions on language testing requirements for some IMP applicants.
Required Actions for Marine Workers and Employers
To benefit from these new rules or ensure compliance, both workers and employers must follow several important steps:
For Marine Workers
- Obtain STCW Certification
- All applicants must have valid certifications under the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW). This is a global standard that proves you are properly trained for maritime work.
- Secure a Seafarer Employment Agreement (SEA)
- Your employer must provide a signed Seafarer Employment Agreement. This document must meet the requirements of the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006), including fair wages, safe working conditions, and access to healthcare.
- Apply for the C61 Open Work Permit
- Submit your application under the new C61 category of the International Mobility Program. You must include your SEA and proof of STCW certification. The open work permit allows you to work for any eligible employer in the marine sector, making it easier to take on short-term or transit assignments.
- Prepare for Possible Language Testing
- While not yet required, language testing may soon be part of the process for some IMP applicants. Stay updated on IRCC announcements and be ready to provide language test results if requested.
- Entry and Work in Canada
- Once approved, you can enter Canada 🇨🇦 for your assignment. You will benefit from visa-free shore leave (meaning you can disembark at Canadian ports without extra paperwork) and have the right to priority repatriation if you need to return home quickly.
For Employers
- Submit Seafarer Employment Agreements (SEAs)
- Every work permit application must include a compliant SEA. This agreement must show that you are following the rules set by the MLC, 2006.
- Demonstrate Compliance with Labor Standards
- You must prove that you offer fair wages, safe and healthy living conditions, and access to healthcare for all foreign marine workers.
- Follow Marine Safety Management System Regulations
- New safety rules are coming into force by mid-2025. Make sure your operations meet these standards to avoid penalties.
- Support Gender Equality and Inclusion
- Employers are encouraged to hire women and people from underrepresented groups. Priority processing is available for these applicants, so consider how your hiring practices can support inclusion.
- Stay Informed About Language Testing
- If language testing becomes mandatory, you’ll need to help your workers meet this requirement.
Implications for Pending Applications
If you have already applied for a marine work permit under the IMP and your application is still being processed as of July 18, 2025, the following may apply:
- Faster Processing: Your application may be processed more quickly under the new rules, especially if you are a woman or from an underrepresented group.
- New Documentation Requests: IRCC may ask you or your employer for updated SEAs or proof of compliance with the new standards.
- No Need to Reapply: In most cases, you do not need to submit a new application. IRCC will apply the new rules to pending cases.
- Language Testing: If language testing becomes a requirement before your application is finalized, you may be asked to provide test results.
Detailed Overview of the Core Policy Changes
Open Work Permits for Seafarers (C61 Category)
The new C61 open work permit is a major improvement for marine workers. Unlike closed permits, which tie you to one employer, the open permit lets you work for any eligible marine employer in Canada 🇨🇦. This is especially helpful for short-term or transit assignments, where you may need to switch employers or vessels quickly.
Key benefits:
– Faster entry into Canada 🇨🇦 for work
– Less paperwork compared to old processes
– Visa-free shore leave—you can leave your ship and enter Canada 🇨🇦 ports without extra visas
– Priority repatriation—if you need to go home quickly, the process is faster and easier
Eligibility and Certification
To qualify for the new permit, you must have STCW certification. This is a global standard for maritime training and safety. It ensures that only skilled, properly trained workers can use the new, easier process.
Employer Compliance Requirements
Employers now face stricter rules. They must:
– Submit Seafarer Employment Agreements (SEAs) with every work permit application
– Prove compliance with the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006), including fair wages, good living conditions, and healthcare
– Follow new Marine Safety Management System Regulations (coming mid-2025)
– Avoid exploitation—especially on foreign-flagged vessels in Canadian waters
Employers who do not follow these rules can face penalties, including fines or bans from hiring foreign workers.
Gender Equality and Inclusion Initiatives
Canada 🇨🇦 is taking steps to make the marine sector more inclusive. Following a 2024 IMO workshop, IRCC now offers priority processing for women and underrepresented groups. This is part of Canada’s Oceans Protection Plan and the IMO Gender Equality Network (IMOGen). The goal is to increase female participation and diversity in a field that has been mostly male.
Practical Implications for Stakeholders
For Marine Workers
- Easier, faster entry for short-term jobs or transit
- Less paperwork and quicker processing
- Guaranteed rights to shore leave and repatriation, making work safer and more comfortable
For Employers
- Stricter compliance—must prove fair labor practices and submit detailed agreements
- Potential penalties for not following the rules
- More attention on how foreign-flagged vessels treat workers
For Women and Underrepresented Groups
- Priority processing and targeted support open new doors in the marine industry
Regulatory and Policy Context
Canada 🇨🇦 is aligning its rules with international standards. The new reforms follow the International Labour Organization (ILO) and International Maritime Organization (IMO) guidelines. The Marine Safety Management System Regulations, coming into force by mid-2025, will further strengthen worker protections.
Language Testing Requirements
Proposed changes to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations may soon require some IMP applicants to submit language test results. These changes are still under review as of July 2025. If approved, they could affect future eligibility for marine workers.
Broader IMP Reforms
The International Mobility Program is also changing in other ways, with stricter rules for business owners and new pathways for other sectors. However, the marine worker reforms are among the most targeted and immediate changes for 2025.
Official Resources and Contacts
For more information or to start your application, visit the IRCC International Mobility Program page. This official government resource provides detailed guidance for both workers and employers.
Key Contacts:
– IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada): Main agency for policy and implementation
– Transport Canada: Responsible for Marine Safety Management System Regulations
– ILO and IMO: International bodies influencing standards and gender inclusion
– Korey McKinnon, Senior Director, Temporary Workers, IRCC
– Email: [email protected]
Stakeholder and Expert Perspectives
Industry groups have welcomed these reforms, saying they help address labor shortages and modernize Canada’s approach to international maritime labor. Worker advocates support the new protections and easier processes but stress the need for strong enforcement to prevent abuse. Diversity advocates praise the gender inclusion efforts, noting Canada’s leadership in promoting women in maritime roles.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, these changes are widely seen as a positive step that brings Canada 🇨🇦 in line with global best practices while tackling urgent labor needs in the marine sector.
Future Outlook and Pending Changes
- Language Testing: Final decisions are expected by late summer or fall 2025. If language testing becomes mandatory, all new applicants will need to provide test results.
- Marine Safety Regulations: Full implementation is expected by mid-2025, further improving worker protections.
- Permanent Pathways: While these reforms focus on temporary work, IRCC’s 2025-2026 plan includes new permanent residence options for other sectors. Similar pathways may be offered to marine workers in the future.
Additional Resources and Support
- International Mobility Workers Unit (IMWU): Offers guidance to employers on LMIA and work permit exemptions.
- Legal Assistance: Cohen Immigration Law ([email protected]) can help with complex cases.
- Official IRCC Contact for IMP: [email protected]
Actionable Takeaways and Next Steps
- Marine workers: Make sure your STCW certification is current, get a compliant SEA from your employer, and apply for the C61 open work permit under the IMP.
- Employers: Review your labor practices, update SEAs, and prepare for new safety regulations. Support diversity in hiring to benefit from priority processing.
- Pending applicants: Watch for requests from IRCC for updated documents or language test results.
- All stakeholders: Stay informed about upcoming regulatory changes, especially language testing and permanent residence pathways.
Canada’s new immigration reforms for marine workers under the International Mobility Program represent a major step forward in making the country’s marine sector more open, fair, and globally competitive. By following the steps outlined above and using official resources, both workers and employers can take full advantage of these changes and help build a stronger, more inclusive maritime industry in Canada 🇨🇦.
Learn Today
International Mobility Program (IMP) → A Canadian immigration program allowing temporary foreign workers to work without Labour Market Impact Assessments.
Seafarer Employment Agreement (SEA) → A contract between marine workers and employers ensuring fair wages and safe working conditions as per MLC, 2006.
STCW Certification → Internationally recognized maritime training and safety certification required for marine worker eligibility in Canada.
C61 Open Work Permit → A new IMP category permit allowing marine workers to work for any eligible employer in Canada.
Marine Safety Management System Regulations → Upcoming Canadian regulations enhancing maritime worker safety expected to be enforced by mid-2025.
This Article in a Nutshell
Canada’s IMP reforms for marine workers introduce C61 open permits, faster entry, visa-free shore leave, and priority processing. Employers face stricter compliance and must uphold fair labor standards. Changes improve protections, inclusion, and align Canada with global maritime labor standards, reshaping marine work permit applications and workforce diversity in 2025.
— By VisaVerge.com
