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If you are an essential worker, international student or French speaker in Canada your days of holding a temporary visa in Canada could be something of the past. Canada is inviting 90,000 immigrants to become Canadian permanent residences via the six new healthcare and graduate programs.
The immigration minister of Canada, Marco Mendicino, announced on April 14 the launch of the new immigration programs. The new programs will give an opportunity to temporary foreign workers and international students to become permanent residents, that's right, Canada is now accepting permanent residency applications!
To learn more about the incredible opportunity-giving programs, read below.
New Canadian Immigration Programs
What Are the New Immigration Programs?
The new immigration programs are meant for individuals who are already staying and working in Canada. The six pathways are:
- Permanent Residence pathway for international student graduates;
- Permanent Residence pathway for essential workers in healthcare;
- Permanent Residence pathway for essential workers in other occupations;
- Permanent Residence pathway for French-speaking international student graduates;
- Permanent Residence pathway for French-speaking essential workers in healthcare;
- Permanent Residence pathway for French-speaking essential workers in other occupations.
There is a limited number of individuals who will be able to be part of this opportunity for the first three pathways. The numbers are as follows:
- 40,000 applications for international students who graduated from a Canadian educational institution.
- 30,000 applications for temporary workers in other selected essential occupations.
- 20,000 applications for temporary workers in health care.
The streams will remain open until November 5, 2021, or until they have reached the limit. Workers who are employed in 40 healthcare occupations and 95 other essential services such as caregiving, food production, and food distribution will be eligible to apply for permanent residency in Canada through these new streams.
Eligibility for New Canadian Immigration Streams
To be eligible for the healthcare and graduate immigration pathways, the requirements are as follows:
- International students must have graduated from a Canadian post-secondary institution within the last 4 years.
- Temporary workers need to show at least one year of work experience in the Canadian healthcare sector or other essential occupations.
- Besides, both temporary workers and international students must be competent in one of the Canadian official languages.
- They must meet the general requirements and should be present and working in Canada legally at the time of applying.
Please note you will not be eligible if you are residing in Quebec.
The pre-approved list includes occupations such as:
| Other Eligible Essential Occupations | |
|---|---|
| NOC Code | Occupation |
| 611 | Cashiers |
| 6622 | Service station attendants |
| 7203r | Contractors and supervisors, pipefitting trades |
| 7235 | Structural metal and plate work fabricators and fitters |
| 7244 | Electrical power line and cable workers |
| 7512 | Bus drivers, subway operators and other transit operators |
| 7531 | Railway yard and track maintenance workers |
| 7611 | Construction trades helpers and labourers |
| 86915 | Oil and gas drilling, servicing and related labourers |
| 1511 | Mail, postal and related workers |
| 6733 | Janitors, caretakers and building superintendents |
| 8431 | General farmworkers |
| 9461 | Process control and machine operators, food and beverage processing |
| 4411 | Home child care providers |
| 4413 | Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants |
| 6541 | Security guards and related security service occupations |
| 6424 | Ground and water transport ticket agents, cargo service representatives and related clerks |
| 4032 | French and French Immersion Elementary school and kindergarten teachers |
| 9465 | Testers and graders, food and beverage processing |
If your occupation is on the pre-approved list, your chances of becoming a permanent resident through the six new healthcare and graduate programs are high!
French-Speaker Eligibility Requirements
As for the French-speaking programs, in order to promote Canada’s official languages, there is no limit on the number of immigrants able to get permanent residence in Canada, the government will also continue to accept applicants until the same deadline, November 5, 2021.
Requirements for French-Speaking Occupations
- At least one year of Canadian work experience in a relevant eligible occupation within the last 3 years at the time of application;
- Language proficiency: CLB/NCLC 4 French (results of the evaluation must be less than two years old);
- Legally working in Canada at the time of application;
- Have a valid temporary residence status and in Canada at the time of application;
- Intend to live in a province or territory outside of Quebec;
- Must apply for permanent residency online; and
- Must be deemed admissible.
Why Canada Needs Immigrants
The challenge Canada faces is an ageing population, as of 2021, there are three people of working age for each senior. This will mean that the cost to sustain the public services everyone depends on will be substantially higher.
The strength of the economy is partly measured by the number of people working. Immigrants are vital to Canada’s economic recovery as they fill the labour shortages and add growth to the country’s workforce, especially post-pandemic.
The coronavirus also slowed immigration in 2020 with 284,387 people immigrating to Canada between July 1, 2019, and June 30, 2020. This wasn’t enough for Canada as the goal was set for approximately 341,000 immigrants, resulting in Canada needing immigrants now more than ever.
What the New Policies Do for Temporary Foreign Workers in Canada
- The new policies will inspire essential temporary workers and international graduates to begin a permanent life in Canada.
- Puts measures in place for international graduates so as not to miss out on any opportunities due to the pandemic.
- Creates an accelerated immigration pathway to permanent residency.
- Creates a special pathway for Canadian temporary residents to become permanent residents.
Did You Know?
According to Statistics Canada (January 2021), immigrants who previously held a work permit often report higher wages one year after becoming a permanent resident!
The need for permanent residents in Canada is high and the benefits of becoming one are many, making this the best time to become a permanent resident through the six new healthcare and graduate programs. Click on the link below and see if you’re eligible as Canada is now accepting permanent residency applications.
