Today, the IRCC - Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced a new pathway to permanent residence for over 90,000 essential workers and international graduates.
3 out of the 6 new programs will open doors for permanent residence in Canada for 90,000 temporary residents this year. The remainder 3 programs focusing on French-speaking temporary foreign nationals will have no intake cap.
The new programs will target temporary foreign workers employed in Canadian hospitals and long-term care homes, and those on the frontlines of other essential sectors, as well as international student graduates in the Canadian educational sector.
Starting from May 6, 2021 until November 5,2021 or until the allotted quote is filled, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will begin accepting applications under the following 3 streams:
20,000 applications for temporary workers in health care
30,000 applications for temporary workers in other selected essential occupations
40,000 applications for international students who graduated from a Canadian institution
What are the eligibility requirements to apply under the new public policy?
Foreign Students who recently graduated, must:
1. Have completed their studies no earlier than Jan 2017
2. Must be from DLI - Designated Learning Institute in Canada
3. Criteria for eligibility of Educaiton Credential:
a) Must have been awarded a degree (Associate,Bachelors,Masters or PhD) after completion of a program of at least 8 months in duration;
OR
b) Must have been awarded a Degree, Diploma, Certificate or Attestation issued on completion of a program of any duration leading to an occupation in a skilled trade (listed in Annex A) which includes: NOC groups -72,73,82,92,632,633
OR
c) one or more diploma/certificate/attestation where the following conditions are met:
For diplomas/certificates/attestations, each program of study must be at least 8 months in duration and the combined length of the credential(s) must be equivalent to a two-year credential (at least 16 months in duration).
For the DVS and AVS, each program of study must be at least 900 hours in duration and the combined program of study must be at least 1,800 hours in duration.
When combining one AVS with one DVS, the length of the AVS may be less than 900 hours if the combined length is at least 1,800 hours.
For greater clarity, each combined credential must meet the eligible program requirements as defined in 1), including the completion no earlier than January 2017.
Additional Requirements:
The applicant was authorized to study throughout their education in Canada;
The applicant must be employed at the time the PR application is received by IRCC and it should be paid employment. Must not be self-employed, unless working as a medical doctor in a fee-for-service arrangement with a health authority;
The applicant must demonstrate a level of proficiency of at least benchmark 5 in either official language for each of the four language skill areas - CLB 5;
The applicant must reside in Canada with a valid temporary status or be eligible to restore their status;
The applicant must be physically present in Canada at the time the application for permanent residence is received and when the application is approved;
The applicant must apply online and submit requested forms and proofs of eligibility at the time of application, except for evidence required to demonstrate physical presence in Canada at the time of application approval;
The foreign national along with in-Canada/outside-Canada family members included on the PR application is not inadmissible under the Act and Regulations.
Temporary Foreign workers:
Foreign National must have:
Accumulated 1 year full-time/ equivalent part-time (1560 Hours) experience in Canada in an occupation listed in Annex A/ Annex B in the last 3 years prior to the date the application for PR is received.The one year of work experience must be obtained in one or more of the eligible occupations as follows:
Stream A: the one year of work experience must have been acquired in one or more occupations listed in Annex A. Experience cannot be combined with Annex B occupations.
Stream B: the one year of work experience must have been acquired in one or more occupations listed in Annex B, or a combination of occupations in Annexes A and B.
Additional Requirements:
The applicant must be employed and authorized to work at the time the PR application is received by IRCC and it should be paid employment. Must not be self-employed, unless working as a medical doctor in a fee-for-service arrangement with a health authority;
The applicant must demonstrate a level of proficiency of at least benchmark 4 in either official language for each of the four language skill areas - CLB 4;
Reside in Canada with valid temporary status or is eligible to restore the status;
Be physically present in Canada at the time the application for permanent residence is received and when the application is approved and Intend to reside in a province or territory other than Quebec;
The applicant must apply online and submit requested forms and proofs of eligibility at the time of application, except for evidence required to demonstrate physical presence in Canada at the time of application approval;
The foreign national along with in-Canada/outside-Canada family members included on the PR application is not inadmissible under the Act and Regulations.
What are the Eligible Health-Related Occupations under the new public policy?
Eligible Occupations: Annex A
NOC Occupation - Source Canada.ca
3011 - Nursing co-ordinators and supervisors
3012 - Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses
3111 - Specialist physicians
3112 - General practitioners and family physicians
3113 - Dentists
3121 - Optometrists
3122 - Chiropractors
3124 - Allied primary health practitioners
3125 - Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating
3131 - Pharmacists
3132 - Dietitians and nutritionists
3141 - Audiologists and speech-language pathologists
3142 - Physiotherapists
3143 - Occupational therapists
3144 - Other professional occupations in therapy and assessment
3211 - Medical laboratory technologists
3212 - Medical laboratory technicians and pathologists' assistants
3214 - Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists 3215 - Medical radiation technologists
3216 - Medical sonographers
3217 - Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists, n.e.c. 3219 - Other medical technologists and technicians (except dental health)
3221 - Denturists
3222 - Dental hygienists and dental therapists
3223 - Dental technologists, technicians and laboratory assistants
3231 - Opticians
3232 - Practitioners of natural healing
3233 - Licensed practical nurses
3234 - Paramedical occupations
3236 - Massage therapists
3237 - Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment
3411 - Dental assistants
3413 - Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates
3414 - Other assisting occupations in support of health services
4151 - Psychologists
4152 - Social workers
4153 - Family, marriage and other related counsellors
4165 - Health policy researchers, consultants and program officers
4212 - Social and community service workers
4412 - Home support workers, housekeepers and related occupations
What are the Eligible Essential Occupations under the new public policy?
All occupations listed under:
Major groups - 66, 72, 74, 75, 76, 86
Minor groups - 151, 642, 673, 843, 844, 946
Specific 4 digit unit groups
NOC - Occupation
0821 - Managers in agriculture
0822 - Managers in horticulture
4031 - French and French Immersion Secondary school teachers (language of instruction must be French)
4032 - French and French Immersion Elementary school and kindergarten teachers (language of instruction must be French)
4411 - Home child care providers
4413 - Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants
6331 - Retail butchers
6523 - Airline ticket and service agents
6524 - Ground and water transport ticket agents, cargo service representatives and related clerks
6541 - Security guards and related security service occupations
6551 - Customer services representatives - financial institutions
6552 - Other customer and information services representatives
8252 - Agricultural service contractors, farm supervisors and specialized livestock workers
8255 - Contractors and supervisors, landscaping, grounds maintenance and horticulture services
9617 - Labourers in food and beverage processing
9618 - Labourers in fish and seafood processing
For a complete list of NOC codes, please visit - Canada.ca
Based on the statement Minister Mendicino made in a media release. “Our message to them is simple: your status may be temporary, but your contributions are lasting—and we want you to stay”, it is clear that Canada cares for the contribution Temporary Foreign Workers make towards the Canadian economy.
If you are currently in Canada, CONTACT US to apply for PR under these new pathways!