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On April 14, 2021, Canada announced new public policies
New pathway to permanent residency for over 90,000 essential temporary workers and international graduates that will allow about 90,000 temporary residents (including international students and temporary foreign workers) to apply for permanent residence. This action is coming on the back of earlier moves by the Canadian government to reward refugee claimants, visitors, and others, who are in Canada and are working in frontline jobs and other essential dutieswhere they are helping to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Additionally, this and earlier actions by the government is designed to help Canada meet its ambitious goal of welcoming 401,000 new permanent residents in 2021. With the pandemic and accompanying travel restrictions, it is unlikely that Canada would be able to achieve its goal without implementing extraordinary measures such as these recent public policies.
By prioritizing those who are already in Canada for permanent residency, the Canadian government is also sending a powerful signal that the country is open and welcoming to workers and students from around the world, at a time when a number of developed countries are restricting immigration. Essentially, Canada is saying that it values the contributions of workers and international students, and that there is a pathway for you to become a permanent resident and ultimately, a Canadian citizen, if you come to Canada as a worker or a student.
Since this most recent announcement, we have been receiving inquiries from many potential applicants. We will address some of the most common questions that people have asked us about these policies.
Question 1:
I am an international graduate with Post Graduate Work Permit (PGWP). I currently do not qualify to apply under the stream for foreign nationals in Canada, outside of Quebec, with a recent credential from a Canadian post-secondary institution. Can I apply under the stream for foreign nationals in Canada, outside of Quebec, with recent Canadian work experience in essential occupations?
Answer:
Based on the current policies, there is nothing that says a PGWP holder cannot apply in any of the two categories, provided they meet the requirements of the category they are applying under.
Question 2:
I applied for the PGWP but still waiting to receive approval. Am I eligible to apply?
Answer:
When you apply for the PGWP following the completion of your education in Canada, you have an implied status. Therefore, the work experience that you gained while waiting to receive your PGWP counts towards skilled work experience requirement for permanent residence. Since you have an implied status, it means that you are residing in Canada with a valid temporary resident status, and as such, you are eligible to apply under the new public policies, provided you also meet other requirements, including language proficiency and national occupational classification (NOC) requirements, among others.
Question 3:
Would my part-time work experience qualify me for these programs?
Answer:
For those applying under the stream for foreign nationals in Canada, outside of Quebec, with recent Canadian work experience in essential occupations, you are required to have at least one (1) year of full-time work experience, or the equivalent in part-time experience (1,560 hours), in Canada, in an eligible occupation.
If you are applying under the stream for foreign nationals in Canada, outside of Quebec, with a recent credential from a Canadian post-secondary institution, the policy is silent on the amount of work experience that you need. However, you are required to be employed in a job that meets the definition of work. In order words, your job may be full-time or part-time, but it must be a paid work or a job in which you are paid commission.
Do you think that you may qualify to apply for permanent residence under these new policies? Because these are new policies, there are still many grey areas, and it is better that you consult with a professional to help you with your questions and applications. Nothing can be worse than having your application come back to you as rejected after many months of submission.
Contact us today at crestimmigration.ca to learn about how we can help you in realizing your goal.
David Akinmoluwa, MSc, RCIC
CEO and Principal Immigration Consultant
