Canadian immigration program targeting essential workers provides long term security for employers and employees

Canadian immigration program targeting essential workers provides long term security for employers and employees

Starting May 6, 2021, the Ministry of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will open a one-time unique immigration program that employers and employees will find helpful to permanently secure key talent.

The New pathway to permanent residency grants permanent residence to 90,0000 international graduates and temporary foreign workers currently employed in Canada in essential occupations. The program will run for six months only and will approve a limited number of applications in three streams:

1. 20,000 applications for temporary workers in health care from 40 select healthcare occupations;
2. 30,000 applications for temporary workers in 95 select high and low-skilled occupations across a range of categories, including in-home caregiving, food production, cleaning, etc.;
3. 40,000 applications for international students who graduated from a Canadian institution.

To be eligible, skilled workers must have at least one year of Canadian work experience in the profession under which they will qualify for permanent residence. The skilled workers must have proficiency in either English or French, meet general admissibility requirements, be authorized to work with a work permit, and be presently working in Canada (excluding Quebec) at the time of their application.

While IRCC’s public policy instruction for the program allows it to remain open until November 5, 2021, the cut-offs will likely be attained well before that date. Serious candidates are currently hastening to collect documents and information to have applications ready to submit right on May 6, 2021, to secure one of the limited spots.

To be ready right away, candidates should ensure to have:

1. Valid travel documents and passports for themselves and their immediate family;
2. Complete proof of all current and previous employment;
3. Copies of transcripts and diplomas for all post-secondary and secondary education;
4. Police clearance documents (in compliance with IRCC requirements) from prescribed countries of previous residence;
5. Up-front medical exams for family members.

Candidates who are serious about permanent residence under this program are using the month of April 2021 to procure all required background documentation to submit their application on May 6, 2021, or shortly thereafter. Qualified skilled workers who wait too long risk losing out on a great opportunity.

Contact the Cambridge LLP Immigration Practice Group for consultation or representation on The New pathway to permanent residency.