New Program For Temporary Residents And Express Entry Changes
Canada is working on a new immigration program for temporary foreign workers and international students. In an interview with CBC News, Immigration Minister Sean Fraser explained that the new program will be similar to the Temporary residence to Permanent Residence program.
“We are looking right now at the best path forward to create a permanent pathway for temporary residents,” Fraser said to CBC News.
Last year, the temporary resident-to-permanent resident pathway – or TR to PR – was implemented for eight months after COVID-19 lockdowns closed the border to newcomers to prevent the spread of the virus. It resulted in 90,000 essential workers, front-line health care workers and international students becoming eligible for permanent residency.
After the announcement, Fraser now has 120 days to develop and release a strategy to set this program in motion. This timeline was dictated by a motion in the Commons last month.
“That actually puts me on a clock to come up with a framework to establish this new permanent residency pathway, not just for international students, but also for temporary foreign workers,” Fraser said.
How to come to Canada as a temporary resident?
It’s not always necessary to be in Canada to be eligible for an immigration program, but studies have shown that if you have Canadian experience, you may have better chances of getting a job sooner. If you study or work in Canada, that might help even more.
To be able to study in Canada, you need to get accepted to a Designated Learning Institution and obtain a study permit. After you graduate from a full-time program, you’re eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit and get a job.
Read More: How To Get a Canadian Study Permit?
To be able to work in Canada, you need a work permit. There are more than a hundred work permit options and streams you can apply through, but they’re divided into two main categories – Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) and International Mobility Program (IMP). The biggest difference between the two is that the TWFP work permit needs employers to complete a Labour Market Impact Assessment, while IMP work permits do not. The latter exists to support Canada’s social, economic, and cultural priorities.
Express Entry Changes
The Senate is currently in the process of reviewing Bill C-19, and it is expected to become law soon. The law will grant the IRCC the authority to invite Express Entry candidates based on economic goals, such as occupation, proficiency in French, and education. The IRCC will also be required to engage in a public consultation program to help select which groups of candidates to invite. Additionally, the IRCC will have to annually report the economic goals of each instance sought to the Parliament.
Read More: Canada Planning Major Express Entry Changes
