On 14 April 2021, the Canadian Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship announced a new pathway. This innovative pathway offers 90,000 candidates a pathway to permanent residency in Canada. It will help achieving the immigration levels for 2021, in which Canada wants to welcome 401,400 new permanent residents. But it is important to note that this is a temporary program (pathway) which might not be available permanently. It therefore is expected, that the quota will be reached not to long after the program opens.
For who
This special public policy offers temporary essential workers and international graduates, currently in Canada and who possess skills and experience, needed to fight the pandemic and economic recover, a chance to become permanent residents. The new pathway focusses on candidates employed in hospital, long-term care facilities and the frontlines of other essential sectors. Furthermore, the focus will also be on international graduates who will play an important role in the economy of tomorrow.
The basic requirements
To be eligible for this pathway, essential workers must prove to have at least one year of Canadian work experience within the last three years. Candidates must have been employed in health-care professions or another approved essential occupation. Other requirements apply to international graduates. They must have completed an eligibly post-secondary education program within the last four years, that started in January 2017 or later.
The opening of the program
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will accept applications, starting May 6, 2021. Three streams have been created, each one with it’s own quota:
- 20,000 spots for temporary candidates working in Canadian healthcare;
- 30,000 spots for temporary candidates working in Canada, in other approved essential positions;
- 40,000 spots for international students, graduated from a Canadian education provider
The program remains open until November 5, 2021, or until the quota has been reached. Within the streams mentioned above, a maximum of 90,000 permanent visas will be granted.
Additional places for the promotion of Canada’s official languages
Besides the previously mentioned streams, three extra streams without a maximum have been announced. These programs are especially for French speaking or bilingual candidates. Many communities in Canada benefit from French speaking or bilingual new comers. The extra program will therewith contribute to the vitality of the French speaking minority communities.
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Source: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/2021/04/new-pathway-to-permanent-residency-for-over-90000-essential-temporary-workers-and-international-graduates.html