Following Canada’s announcement on 30 October 2020 to increase its immigration targets for 2021-2023 and the record-breaking express entry draw on 13 February 2021, many of us were left speculating what other measures would be utilized to meet the targets. However, on Wednesday, 14 April 2021, the Government announced the launch of four temporary public policies which will create a pathway to permanent residence for temporary workers with at least one year of work experience in a healthcare profession or other pre-approved essential occupation and international students who have completed an eligible Canadian post-secondary program within the last 4 years, and no earlier than January 2017.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will accept applications with an intake cap under three streams:
Temporary workers in healthcare stream (20,000 applications);
Temporary workers in other selected essential occupations (30,000 applications); and
International students who graduated from a Canadian institution stream (40,000 applications).
As a general requirement, candidates must intend to reside outside Quebec. Depending on the eligible class, candidates are required to show that they have acquired the relevant work experience in a designated occupation or have the required Canadian educational credential. Moreover, all candidates must be employed and have temporary resident status in Canada at the time the application is received by IRCC and when it has been approved. They must also meet the language proficiency requirement and not be inadmissible to Canada.
This measure has steered Canada towards realizing its immigration target —401,000 new permanent residents —for 2021, an increase from the previous year. The streams created will allow for up to 90,000 eligible candidates to gain permanent resident status. International students and workers who are unable to meet the requirements of existing programs may now be able to apply for permanent residence under one of the temporary public policies.
IRCC will commence accepting applications from 6 May 2021 to 5 November 2021, inclusive, or until the maximum applications have been received. There is no intake cap on the additional streams launched for French-speaking or bilingual applicants in an effort to increase francophone immigration outside of Quebec.
If you are interested in finding out whether you are eligible to apply under any of the public policies, you may send us an email at info@johnsonlawils.com or reach out to us using our contact form.
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