IRCC Says Canada Has More Than One Million International Students

Colin Singer
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IRCC Says Canada Has More Than One Million International Students

Canada handed out more than one million study permits to international students last year alone, the latest data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) reveals.

“We continue to break records in processing temporary residence applications,” the IRCC website boasts.

“We’ve finalized about 1,025,000 study permit applications (including extensions) in 2023, up from approximately 838,000 during the same period in 2022.”

That means the number of study permits issued to international students spiked by roughly 22.3 per cent in 2023.

Despite that record number of study permits last year, Canadian immigration is already projecting its backlog of study permit applications, those applications which are taking longer to process than the immigration department’s service standard, to rise to 34 per cent by Jan. 24.

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Two months ago, only 24 per cent of study permits at the IRCC were considered to be part of that backlog.

With the projected uptick in the number of backlogged study permit applications by Jan. 24 this year, Canadian immigration officials will be facing the same level in percentage terms of backlogged study permit applications as they had at the same time last year – and this despite the record level of study permits processed in the past year.

Immigration Minister To Slap Provinces With Caps On International Students

Immigration Minister Marc Miller, though, has said he intends to bring in temporary limits on the number of international students allowed to study in each province in a move that is expected to reduce the number of international students by more than a third, reports The Globe and Mail.

“The cap is expected to result in approximately 364,000 approved study permits, a decrease of 35 per cent from 2023,” the immigration minister reportedly said. “In the spirit of fairness, we are also allocating the cap space by province, based on population.”

Under the cap on study permits, the provinces and territories will each have a limit on their ability to welcome new international students. The national newspaper reports those proposed limits will allow some provinces to increase their international student population while dramatically cutting it in other provinces, including Ontario.

Miller, who announced the coming caps on international students on the first full day of the Liberals’ cabinet retreat on Monday, first floated the idea of a cap on international students in December to address worries that record immigration is contributing to the country’s housing crisis.

“Housing remains a pressing concern, especially in the post-COVID landscape, with the rise in interest rates, supply constraints, and affordability issues,” he said.

As the housing crisis persists in Canada, critics are pointing out that a Statistics Canada study uncovered that many international students are not even attending colleges or universities in Canada.

In Characteristics Of Postsecondary International Students Who Did Not Enrol In Publicly Funded Postsecondary Education Programs, Statistics Canada’s Youjin Choi and Feng Hou noted in November last year that 24.2 per cent of study permit holders in 2019 were not enrolled a publicly-funded post-secondary institution.

Many of those study permit holders who were not enrolled in university courses that year were working jobs in Canada.

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“Among non-university postsecondary study permit holders, 48 per cent held a work permit in addition to a study permit, 35 per cent had earnings from paid jobs and received T4 slips from employers, and 33 per cent filed a personal income tax return,” note Choi and Hou.

Under the 2024-2026 Immigration Levels Plan, Canada is now planning to welcome 485,000 new permanent residents in 2024, another 500,000 in 2025 and then hold the line on immigration in 2026 with another 500,000 newcomers.

That’s a total of 1.485 million immigrants to Canada over those three years.

Senior economists with Canada’s biggest banks have recently come out and complained that level of immigration to Canada has been poorly managed.

“Frankly I’m surprised we screwed it up because we sit in such a privileged position in Canada,” Beata Caranci, chief economist at Toronto Dominion Bank, has reportedly said.

“We designed our own policy, we put it in place, we implemented it, and we still screwed it up.”

Stéfane Marion, chief economist at National Bank of Canada, seems to agree, describing Canada’s immigration policies as a “population trap”.

Study Permits Allow Students To Work On Campus Without A Work Permit

Once in Canada, international students are able to work on campus without a work permit while completing their studies if:

  • they have a valid study permit;
  • are full-time students at a post-secondary public school (college or university, or CEGEP in Quebec), or at a private college-level school in Quebec that operates under the same rules as public schools and is at least 50 per cent funded by government grants, or at a Canadian private school that can legally award degrees under provincial law, and;
  • have a Social Insurance Number.

International students are also usually able to work off-campus without a work permit  while completing their studies – when the current liftin of the 20-hour rule is not in effect – if:

  • they have a valid study permit;
  • are full-time students in a designated learning institution (a post-secondary program, or in Quebec at a vocational program at the secondary level as well);
  • their study program is academic, vocational or professional, it lasts at least six months and leads to a degree, diploma or certificate;
  • they are only working up to a maximum of 20 hours per week during regular academic sessions, and full time during scheduled breaks (for example, winter and summer holidays or spring break).

Certain study programs include work requirements such as co-op or internships. In such cases, a work permit is required in order for the foreign student to be able to complete the work.

With the work experience and education gained while at Canadian colleges and universities, many international students then apply for permanent residence in Canada under such immigration programs as the Express Entry’s  Canada Experience Class Program  (CEC).

Ontario PNP Draw: Province Issues 1,481 Canada Immigration Invitations

Colin Singer
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Ontario PNP Draw: Province Issues 1,481 Canada Immigration Invitations

Ontario has issued 1,481 Canada immigration invitations in three new Expression of Interest draws  through the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program.

The draws were conducted on January 24, 2024.

In a Masters Graduate stream draw, 1,344 candidates were invited, requiring a score of 50 or above.

In the PhD Graduate draw, the minimum score was 45 and 125 invitations were issued.

Another draw saw 12 further invitations issued through the Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker stream to an Economic Mobility Pathway candidate, Canada’s skilled worker stream for refugees.

For all three draws, candidates needed to have submitted their profile in the previous 12 months.

Full requirements for the mentioned streams are included further down this article.

Masters Graduate Stream Expression of Interest Draw

Date issued Number of invitations issued Date profiles created Score range Notes
24/01/24 1,344 January 24, 2023 – January 24, 2024 50 and above General Draw

PhD Graduate Stream Expression of Interest Draw

Date issued Number of invitations issued Date profiles created Score range Notes
24/01/24 125 January 24, 2023 – January 24, 2024 45 and above General Draw

Ontario Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker Stream Expression of Interest Draw

Date issued Number of invitations issued Date profiles created Score range Notes
24/01/24 12 January 24, 2023 – January 24, 2024 N/A Targeted draw for Economic Mobility Pathways Project candidates.

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Ontario Expression of Interest Ranking System

Points are awarded based on the following attributes:

  1. Level and field of education and where they completed their studies.
  2. Proficiency in English or French.
  3. Intention to settle outside of the Greater Toronto Area.
  4. Skill and work experience level, earnings history, other factors relevant to prospects in Ontario job market.
  5. Labour market needs in the province or region of the province.

Masters Graduate Stream

This stream offers an opportunity to obtain permanent residence to international students who obtained a masters degree in Ontario without requiring a job offer.

To be eligible to apply, a candidate must meet the following criteria:

  • Graduated from a Master’s degree program from an eligible institution in Ontario, that was at least one-year full-time.
  • Obtained minimum language CLB/NCLC level 7 or above in English or in French.
  • Resided legally in Ontario for at least one year in the last two.
  • Have sufficient settlement funds.
  • Intend to live and work in Ontario.
  • Must have legal status in Ontario or abroad.
    • Applications from elsewhere in Canada will not be accepted.
  • Application must be submitted within two years of completing the requirements to graduate from the master’s degree.

PhD Graduate Stream

This stream offers international students an opportunity to become a permanent resident for who hold a PhD degree from Ontario without requiring a job offer.

To be eligible to apply, a candidate must meet the following criteria:

  • Graduated from a PhD degree program in an eligible institution in Ontario, and have completed at least two-years full-time.
  • Resided legally in Ontario for at least one year in the last two.
  • Have sufficient settlement funds.
  • Intend to live and work in Ontario.
  • Application must be submitted within two years of completing the requirements to graduate from the PhD degree.

Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker Stream Eligibility Requirements

To qualify under this stream, applicants must have:

  • A permanent and full-time job offer under NOC TEER category 1, 2 or 3 that meets the median wage levels for Ontario, and in a position that is necessary to the business;
    • For those already working in the position, the proposed wage must be equal to or greater than the current wage being paid
  • Two cumulative years of relevant work experience in the previous five years before the date of application;
  • Relevant mandatory licensing in Ontario, if the position so requires;
  • Live abroad, or be working, studying or visiting Canada on a valid permit;
  • Intention to settle in Ontario.

British Columbia Issues At Least 216 Invitations In New PNP Draw

Colin Singer
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British Columbia Issues At Least 216 Invitations In New PNP Draw

British Columbia has conducted a new draw through the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program, issuing at least 216 invitations.

The January 23 draw saw invitations issued in five different categories.

A general draw, which included tech occupations, saw 79 invitations issued through five BC PNP streams for skilled workers and international graduates. Minimum scores ranged from 98 to 120 points.

In a further targeted draw, 66 invitations were issued to skilled workers and international graduates scoring at least 60 points in a draw targeting childcare workers.

Construction workers received 34 invitations with a minimum score of 75.

A draw targeted at healthcare workers saw 36 invitations issued to skilled workers and international graduates, with a minimum score of 60 points.

Finally, a draw aimed at veterinary care workers saw ‘less than 5’ invitations issued, again with a minimum score of 60. It was listed as ‘less than 5’ to protect the identity of those invited.

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Latest B.C. Immigration Draws

General Draw

Date Category Minimum Score Invitations Issued Description
23-01-24 Skilled Worker 120 79 General draw (includes tech occupations)
Skilled Worker – EEBC 120
International Graduate 120
International Graduate – EEBC 120
Entry Level and Semi-Skilled 98

Targeted Draw

Date Category Minimum Score Invitations Issued Description
23-01-24  

 

 

Skilled Worker, International Graduate

 60 66 Childcare
75 34 Construction
60 36 Healthcare
60 <5 Veterinary care

Video:

Explained: Canada’s New Post Graduation Work Permit Requirements

Colin Singer
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Explained: Canada’s New Post Graduation Work Permit Requirements

Many international students will soon to be unable to get the coveted Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWP), but others will get longer periods of time to work in Canada, under changes announced recently.

Following the recent announcement of caps on the number of international students, there are significant changes to the eligibility requirements of the PGWP.

“Starting Sept. 1, international students who begin a study program that is part of a curriculum licensing arrangement will no longer be eligible for a post­graduation work permit upon graduation,” notes Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

“Under curriculum licensing agreements, students physically attend a private college that has been licensed to deliver the curriculum of an associated public college.

“These programs have seen significant growth in attracting international students in recent years, though they have less oversight than public colleges and they act as a loophole with regards to post-graduation work permit eligibility.”

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That will effectively limit the number of international students who will qualify for the PGWP.

But graduates of master’s and other short graduate-level programs are getting a break under the new criteria. They will soon be eligible to apply for a three-year work permit.

“Under current criteria, the length of a post­graduation work permit is based solely on the length of an individual’s study program, hindering master’s graduates by limiting the amount of time they have to gain work experience and potentially transition to permanent residence.”

Spouses of international students in undergraduate and college programs, though, will soon no longer be eligible for open work permits.

“In the weeks ahead, open work permits will only be available to spouses of international students in master’s and doctoral programs,” states the IRCC.

The Canadian government is under fire from opposition critics who are blaming the housing crisis in Canada on the country’s record-high levels of immigration.

“International students are vital to Canada and enrich our communities. As such, we have an obligation to ensure that they have access to the resources they need for an enriching academic experience. In Canada, today, this isn’t always the case,” said Immigration Minister Marc Miller on Jan. 22.

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“Today, we are announcing additional measures to protect a system that has become so lucrative that it has opened a path for its abuse.

“Enough is enough. Through the decisive measures announced today, we are striking the right balance for Canada and ensuring the integrity of our immigration system while setting students up for the success they hope for.”

Senior economists at the big banks say immigration has been poorly managed, putting pressure on the federal government to make changes.

Among them is a proposed series of two-year limits on the number of international students allowed to study in each province.”

“The cap is expected to result in approximately 364,000 approved study permits, a decrease of 35 per cent from 2023,” the immigration minister has reportedly said. “In the spirit of fairness, we are also allocating the cap space by province, based on population.”

Study Permits Allows International Students To Work On Campus While In Canada

Under the proposed cap on study permits, the provinces and territories will each have a limit on their ability to welcome new international students. The Globe and Mail reports those proposed limits will allow some provinces to increase their international student population while dramatically cutting it in other provinces, including Ontario.

Miller first floated the idea of a cap on international students in December to address worries that record immigration is contributing to the country’s housing crisis.

International students are able to work on campus without a work permit while completing their studies if:

  • they have a valid study permit;
  • are full-time students at a post-secondary public school (college or university, or CEGEP in Quebec), or at a private college-level school in Quebec that operates under the same rules as public schools and is at least 50 per cent funded by government grants, or at a Canadian private school that can legally award degrees under provincial law, and;
  • have a Social Insurance Number.

International students are also usually able to work off-campus without a work permit  while completing their studies – when the current liftin of the 20-hour rule is not in effect – if:

  • they have a valid study permit;
  • are full-time students in a designated learning institution (a post-secondary program, or in Quebec at a vocational program at the secondary level as well);
  • their study program is academic, vocational or professional, it lasts at least six months and leads to a degree, diploma or certificate;
  • they are only working up to a maximum of 20 hours per week during regular academic sessions, and full time during scheduled breaks (for example, winter and summer holidays or spring break).

Certain study programs include work requirements such as co-op or internships. In such cases, a work permit is required in order for the foreign student to be able to complete the work.

International students are able to travel and work in Canada for up to one year through the International Experience Canada if:

  • they are between the ages of 18 and 35 and;
  • their country of origin has an agreement with Canada.

Canada To Improve Healthcare Credential Recognition With $86m Spending

Colin Singer
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Canada To Improve Healthcare Credential Recognition With $86m Spending

Canada will boost its capacity to recognize the foreign credentials of roughly 6,600 internationally-educated health professionals by investing an extra $86 million into 15 projects across the country.

“Healthcare workers deliver the care that Canadians need. By bringing in new workers and retaining those who are already there, we can help relieve the labour challenges in our healthcare system,” said Health Minister Mark Holland.

“This federal funding supports our government’s work with provinces, territories, and stakeholders to have more healthcare workers enter Canada’s workforce and to streamline that process.”

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The funded projects will:

  • reduce barriers to foreign credential recognition for internationally-educated healthcare professionals by improving the recognition processes, simplifying steps in credential recognition and offering increased access to practice in the field;
  • provide internationally-educated healthcare professionals with relevant Canadian work experience in their intended fields, while incorporating wrap-around supports such as childcare and transportation costs, as well as mentoring and coaching, and;
  • facilitate labour mobility between jurisdictions in Canada for healthcare professionals and internationally-educated healthcare professionals to reduce the systemic and administrative barriers for healthcare professionals who wish to work in other jurisdictions within Canada.

The federal government’s latest financial shot in the arm will provide funding to  key occupations like nursing, pharmacy, dentistry, laboratory technicians and respiratory therapists. Through this investment, internationally trained midwives will be able to take their exams virtually, even before they arrive in Canada.

Jim Lai, president of the Association of Canadian Faculties of Dentistry, is thrilled.

“The Association of Canadian Faculties of Dentistry is thrilled to receive this support from the federal government to fund the development and testing of a new program to speed up the qualification and licensing of dentists trained elsewhere in the world so they can practice in Canada,” said Lai.

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“With the government’s recent introduction of the new Canadian Dental Care Plan, and its policy of increasing immigration into Canada, there are plans to both help Canada’s poorest and most marginalized people gain access to dental care and to integrate internationally-trained dentists into Canada’s healthcare workforce.”

Canada’s Foreign Credential Recognition Program aims to:

  • develop and strengthen Canada’s foreign credential assessment and recognition capacity;
  • contribute to improving labour market integration outcomes of skilled newcomers, and;
  • support interprovincial labour mobility.

90,000 Healthcare Jobs Were Up For Grabs In Canada In Q2 Of Last Year

“Honouring the professional credentials of newcomers is a compassionate and effective component of expanding Canada’s workforce,” said Employment Minister Randy Boissonnault.

“The Foreign Credential Recognition Program speeds up the accreditation for 6,600 people and is not only the right thing to do but one of the best ways we can fill labour gaps, strengthen our healthcare system and grow our economy.”

The economic sector continues with the highest levels of job vacancies, the Canadian healthcare system had roughly 90,000 unfilled positions as of the second quarter of 2023.

Faced with that challenge of acute labour shortages, Ottawa announced last year it will invest more than $200 billion over 10 years to improve healthcare for Canadians, including $46.2 billion in new funding for provinces and territories and provided added support to the healthcare workforce.

The latest funding for foreign credential recognition comes in the wake of other investments by Ottawa to support newcomers so they can participate in Canadian society, including the Settlement Program managed by Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Visa Requirement For Mexicans Considered By Canada

Colin Singer
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Visa Requirement For Mexicans Considered By Canada

Canada is considering a visa requirement for Mexicans as part of a bid to prevent so many refugees from arriving by plane, reports the Reuters news agency.

“We’re looking at a number of measures that would, in fact, put us in a position to have done what’s necessary to ensure that these flights directly from Mexico don’t become sort of an indirect way to get access to Canada and to claim asylum,” Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc reportedly said.

The possible imposition of visa requirements on Mexicans travelling to Canada comes in the wake of a letter sent by Quebec Premier François Legault to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in mid-January in which he called on Ottawa to stem the flow of refugees into Quebec and compensate the province for its costs.

According to Legault, Quebec simply cannot handle anymore refugees.

“Mexican nationals represent a growing proportion of the asylum seekers arriving in Quebec, the possibility of entering Canada from Mexico without a visa certainly explains part of the flow of asylum seekers,” the premier reportedly wrote.

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Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is coming under increasing pressure to better manage the record-breaking immigration to the country in light of the housing and healthcare crisis in the country.

Canada is also being pressured by the United States to ensure Mexicans do not use Canada as a temporary base from which they can illegally cross the Canada-U.S. border.

“We talk about this issue and many issues that impact the migration of people,” U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas told CBC’s chief political correspondent Rosemary Barton in an interview early last year.

“I think that’s a decision that the Canadian officials are going to make.

U.S. Homeland Security oversees border security and the enforcement of American immigration laws. During the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden, the Americans have repeatedly asked  Canada to re-impose visa requirements for Mexican nationals.

Former Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper created a visa requirement for Mexicans coming to Canada in 2009. But Trudeau’s Liberal government, which has been very bullish on immigration, relaxed that requirement in 2016.

In an apparent quid pro quo, the Trudeau government nixed the visa requirement on Mexican nationals in exchange for the opening up of Mexico to Canadian beef products.

“I’m also happy to announce that Mexico has agreed to open their domestic market to all Canadian beef products,” said Trudeau in making that announcement in 2016. “This is a move that will support Canadian farmers and Canadian families.”

Dropping The Canadian Visa Requirement For Mexicans Led To More Arrests In U.S.

But American officials have since suggested that those who can’t immigrate to the United States legally have an incentive to travel to Canada and sneak across the border. The allegations are that human smuggling networks have cashed in on the desire of Mexicans escaping poverty and violence for better lives in the United States, using Canada as a backdoor into the country.

That’s supported by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) data which shows there was a spike in migrants entering the U.S. from Canada after Trudeau nixed the visa requirement.

The CBC reports the number of arrests of Mexicans almost doubled, jumping to 2,245 in 2018 from only 1,169 the year before the visa requirement was removed.

Under the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), which came into effect on July 1, 2020, Canada and Mexico are working on initiatives to include women-owned businesses, youth and other underrepresented groups in the post-Covid economic recovery.

“Projects under this pillar will also promote the involvement of Indigenous peoples in the economy and will advance best practices to generate sustainable outcomes for their economic participation,” noted Canada International Trade Minister Mary Ng in a joint statement following CUSMA talks in 2022.

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CUSMA, which is also called the United States-Mexico-Canada (USMCA) in the United States, also allows business people to gain temporary entry without having to get a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) due to work permit exemptions.

The latest promotion of inclusive trade strategies to favour underrepresented groups, such as women, youth, and Indigenous peoples, is intended to further integrate the Canadian and Mexican economies and encourage the free flow of workers to boost the countries’ economies.

“These efforts will allow us to create jobs, increase competition, and achieve a resilient and inclusive economy,” Ng has stated.

In Canada, the immigration-related provisions of CUSMA are covered under the International Mobility Program (IMP).

Business people who are citizens of the U.S. and Mexico are exempt from LMIA requirements when entering Canada for activities related to the trade of goods or services or to investment.

And Canadians entering the U.S. or Mexico receive similar treatment under the agreement.

The trade deal breaks down business people into four categories.

There are:

  • business visitors;
  • professionals;
  • intra-company transferees, and;
  • traders and investors.

Business visitors are those who engage in international business activities related to:

  • research and design;
  • growth, manufacture and production;
  • marketing;
  • sales;
  • distribution;
  • after-sales service, and;
  • general service.

These people are allowed to enter Canada and carry out their activities without the need for a work permit.

Professionals, the second of the four groups of business people, are defined under the trade agreement as those who enter the country to provide pre-arranged professional services, including:

  • as salaried employees of Canadian companies;
  • through contracts between business people and Canadian employers, or;
  • through contracts between the American or Mexican employers of these business people and Canadian enterprises.

The third group of business people are intra-company transferees, managers, executives, or employees with specialized knowledge from American or Mexican companies being transferred to a linked Canadian business.

They are LMIA-exempt but need a work permit.

The final group of business people, traders and investors, are those who carry on substantial trade in goods or services between the U.S. or Mexico and Canada or commit a substantial amount of capital in Canada. They must be supervisors or executives or have essential skills.

Traders and investors are LMIA-exempt but also require a work permit.

Employers Can Hire Temporary Foreign Workers Through The International Mobility Program

The IRCC program through which all of this activity is allowed under CUSMA, the IMP, is an economic immigration program that allows Canadian employers to hire foreign workers on work permits without requiring an LMIA.

Here’s how it works.

Employers looking to hire a foreign worker through the IMP normally pay a $230 employer compliance fee. When an employer is hiring through an open work permit holder, the fee is not required.

Other fee-exempt positions include those covered by a non-trade agreement, certain research positions and charitable or religious work.

The job offers themselves must be made through the IRCC’s Employer Portal once the employer has created an employer profile.

Getting into the Employer Portal can be done in one of two ways. The employer can:

  • sign in with a GCKey user ID, an account created with the Government of Canada that provides secure access, with a password. (Those employers who do not have a GCKey can register and get a user ID and password), or;
  • sign in with the same information the employer uses for another online service recognized as a Sign-In Partner by the Government of Canada, such as an online bank account.

The offer of employment on the Employer Portal must then include information about:

  • the business;
  • the foreign worker to be hired;
  • job details, and;
  • wage and benefits.

The information entered could be used in federal government employer compliance audits.

Employers can also sometimes be exempt from the fee and the need to go through the Employer Portal because of the nature of the work done by the business.

Among those that are exempt from employer compliance fees are:

  • international missions or consular posts, and;
  • international organizations recognized under the Foreign Missions and International Organizations Act, including foreign governments or owners or operators of an international bridge or tunnel.

When these employers hire a temporary worker, they select “No, I am exempt from paying fees for this Offer of Employment” when prompted in the Employer Portal.

Employers submitting a job offer will receive an offer of employment number. The foreign worker requires this number to complete their work permit application.

Once the work permit application is approved, the foreign worker receives:

  • A letter of introduction if they are outside Canada, or;
  • A new work permit if they are already in Canada, or applying at the time of entry.

The letter of introduction is exchanged for a work permit at the port of entry, provided all the requirements are still met.

The IMP is primarily administered by the IRCC but other federal government departments are involved in the program, including the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC).

IMP is separate from the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), which is primarily administered by ESDC with help from the IRCC and CBSA.

Canada’s Temporary Pathway For Palestinians: How Many Will Get Visas? 

Colin Singer
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Canada’s Temporary Pathway For Palestinians: How Many Will Get Visas? 

More Palestinians may be given temporary visas to come to Canada than are currently allowed with the 1,000-person limit on temporary resident visas for those trying to flee the Gaza, Immigration Minister Marc Miller has said.

“It is conventional for a number of these programs to have an internal number that is established,” Miller said.

“This was one that we thought at the outset, in the context of something being done in a relatively short period of time understanding that it’s a war zone in Gaza, was something to manage flow, understand what the numbers are, and then, you know, remain flexible on the fly if we do see numbers that exceed that.”

Palestinians in Gaza who have relatives who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents in Canada willing to support them for one year have been able to apply for temporary resident visas as of Jan. 9.

“These new measures provide a humanitarian pathway to safety and recognize the importance of keeping families together given the ongoing crisis,” Miller said earlier this month.

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“We will continue to monitor the situation in Gaza very closely as it evolves and adapt our response accordingly.”

On Oct. 7, the Hamas terrorist group which controls Palestine, launched a surprise attack on Israel, crossing the Jewish state’s borders and killing 1,200 people. Since then, an estimated 6,900 other Israelis have been injured.

Israel’s retaliation has been swift and intense. As the war rages on, the death toll has climbed to roughly 23,000, most of them Palestinians, and much of northern Gaza is now in ruins.

Ottawa has responded by opening up a new pathway to help Palestinians flee their war-torn homeland to the safety of Canada with temporary resident visas.

Under the new measure to provide a temporary safe haven for Palestinians directly affected by the crisis in Gaza, eligible family members include a spouse, common-law partner, child, grandchild, sibling, parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, as well as their immediate family members (spouse, common-law partner, dependent child and dependent child of a dependent child).

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Once they arrive in Canada, those Palestinians will be able to apply for a study permit or open work permit free of charge to support themselves while the crisis in Israel and Palestine continues.

They will also have access to three months of health coverage under the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) to help address any urgent medical needs upon arrival, as well as settlement services such as language training and support connecting with the labour market and local community.

But advocates for Palestinian-Canadians have reportedly complained that the 1,000-visa limit on the new pathway is both inhumane and unfair because there was no cap on the Canadian Ukrainian Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) visa pathway.

“Canada’s 1,000-person quota on Palestinian family members from Gaza is unfairly small, completely arbitrary and unjustifiable, and should be immediately removed,” maintains Michael Bueckert, vice president of Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME).

Temporary Residents In Canada Can Later Apply For Permanent Residence

“Rather than imposing arbitrary limits on who is deserving of safety, Canada should be maximizing its humanitarian response to the unfolding genocide in Gaza and supporting friends and family of Palestinian-Canadians.”

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has also created a dedicated telephone line, at (613) 321-4243 which will accept collect calls for anyone with questions about these special measures.

“The exemptions for temporary resident visa applicants under the public policy expire January 9, 2025, or when 1,000 temporary resident visa applications have been received and accepted for processing, whichever comes first,” notes the IRCC.

Exemptions at the port of entry for people who hold a temporary resident visa that was issued under the public policy expire on Jan. 9, 2025 and the temporary resident visas will be valid for up to three years or the length of the person’s passport validity, whichever comes first.

Once in Canada, these Palestinians will be able to acquire more education and Canadian work experience, both of which will help them earn points through the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) should they ever decide to apply for permanent residence.

Canada operates a two-tier immigration system, accepting applications for permanent residence through its federal Express Entry system’s Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) program, Federal Skilled Trades (FST) program and Canadian Experience Class (CEC), as well as the Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) of its 10 Canadian provinces.

How To Hire Canada Temporary Workers Through Recognized Employer Pilot

Colin Singer
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0
How To Hire Canada Temporary Workers Through Recognized Employer Pilot

Canadian employers can bring in foreign nationals to Canada as temporary workers through a streamlined Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) application process under the Recognized Employer Pilot (REP).

The REP is open to employers who have received positive LMIAs for positions on the REP occupations list as follows:

  • at least three positive LMIA decisions in the last five years to hire temporary foreign workers, or;
  • for those employers who didn’t submit LMIA applications in 2020 or 2021 because of COVID-19 restrictions, but:
    • received at least one positive LMIA decision in 2022 or 2023, and;
    • received two other positive LMIA decisions as far back as 2016.
  • meet the highest standards for working conditions, living conditions and worker protection as demonstrated through their history with the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) and agree to adhere to the regular TFWP requirements.

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Employers need only submit an LMIA application to apply for the REP because when they do so they are given the option to apply for the REP at the same time. no additional information is required.

“We’ll determine whether you’re eligible based on your history with the TFWP,” notes Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) on its website.

“If you’re not eligible for the REP, you’ll still get an LMIA decision. Some types of LMIA applications can’t be considered for the REP, such as any kind of Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP) transfer.”

REP-qualified employers enjoy a longer validity period of up to 36 months for LMIA applications that receive a positive decision and can also access a simplified LMIA application when hiring additional workers.

Watch Video

Employers interested in the REP program, though, should note that Service Canada will stop accepting REP applications in September this year and the REP will conclude in the autumn of 2026.

Employers may be ineligible for the REP if:

  • they have received negative LMIA decisions;
  • been found non-compliant;
  • significant and credible allegations have been made against them for putting the health and safety of temporary foreign workers at risk;
  • they have failed to meet requirements associated with inspection check-ins, or;
  • there has been a change in the labour market that impacts the position they are trying to fill.

Affiliates of ineligible employers or in default of any amount payable in respect of an administrative monetary penalty, are also ineligible to participate in the REP.

An affiliate includes an employer that’s controlled by another employer, including those who:

  • have two employers that are under common control, or;
  • employers that aren’t operated at arm’s length.

Processing fee for each REP position is $1,000

REP-qualified employers must commit to the following:

  • participate in random REP check-ins;
  • undertake annual wage reviews on Jan. 1 of each year to ensure that temporary foreign workers are receiving the current prevailing wage for the occupation and work location where they’re employed, regardless of the wage on the approved LMIA;
  • continue to make reasonable recruitment efforts to hire Canadians or permanent residents until all positions are filled, including meeting the minimum recruitment requirements for the stream for which they submitted their applications, and;
  • where applicable, meet the housing inspection requirement of the stream for which they submitted their applications.

In addition to meeting the TFWP and REP requirements, employers must also uphold the conditions and rules set out in the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) regarding the hiring of temporary foreign workers.

The processing fee for each position requested under the REP is $1,000 and that payment can be made by:

  • Visa;
  • MasterCard;
  • American Express;
  • certified cheque (shall be made payable to the Receiver General for Canada);
  • money order (shall be made payable to the Receiver General for Canada), or;
  • bank draft (shall be made payable to the Receiver General for Canada).

Processing fees are not refunded when applications are withdrawn at the employer’s request, cancelled or if the employer’s application receives a negative decision.

Refunds are issued only if a fee was collected in error and neither the processing fee nor recruitment fees can be paid or recovered from temporary foreign workers.

LMIA processing fees don’t apply to occupations related to primary agriculture or positions under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 codes 80020, 80021, 82030, 82031, 84120, 85100, 85101 and 85103.

“Employers who have employed a temporary foreign worker in the five years prior to submitting a new LMIA application must ensure they have made reasonable efforts to provide a workplace that’s free of abuse,” notes ESDC.

“A workplace that’s free of abuse includes proactive efforts made to prevent workplace abuse and reactive measures taken to stop abuse.”

Although a copy of the employment agreement isn’t required at the time of LMIA submission under the REP, employers must commit to providing a completed and signed employment agreement to each temporary foreign worker on or before their first day of work.

An employment agreement must:

  • include information for employment in the same occupation, with the same wages and working conditions as those set out in the offer of employment;
  • be drafted in either English or French as preferred by the temporary foreign worker, and;
  • be signed by both the employer and the temporary foreign worker.

Employers must also meet the housing inspection requirements of the streams for which they are submitting an application.

REP list of eligible occupations expanded to 84 during second phase

When the pilot’s first phase kicked off in September, it was targeted solely on the agricultural sector and allowed REP-qualified employers to hire temporary workers only for four occupations, including:

NOC code 2021 Occupation
85100 Livestock labourers
85101 Harvesting labourers
84120 Specialized livestock workers and farm machinery operators
85103 Nursery and greenhouse labourers

Under the second phase of the REP, though, that list of eligible occupations has exploded to include 84 occupations, allowing recognized employers to benefit from validity periods of up to 36 months for those applications which receive a positive decision and also access a simplified LMIA application when hiring additional workers.

The list of eligible occupations under the second phase of the REP, which started this month, includes:

NOC code 2021 Occupation
20010 Engineering managers
20011 Architecture and science managers
21321 Industrial and manufacturing engineers
21322 Metallurgical and materials engineers
21200 Architects
21201 Landscape architects
21202 Urban and land use planners
21203 Land surveyors
31300 Nursing coordinators and supervisors
31301 Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses
31100 Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine
31101 Specialists in surgery
31102 General practitioners and family physicians
31103 Veterinarians
31111 Optometrists
31201 Chiropractors
31209 Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating
31121 Dieticians and nutritionists
31112 Audiologists and speech-language pathologists
31202 Physiotherapists
32109 Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment
31203 Occupational therapists
31204 Kinesiologists and other professional occupations in therapy and assessment
32120 Medical laboratory technologists
33101 Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations
31303 Physician assistants, midwives and allied health professionals
32104 Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians
32103 Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists
32121 Medical radiation technologists
32122 Medical sonographers
32110 Denturists
32111 Dental hygienists and dental therapists
32112 Dental technologists and technicians
33100 Dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants
32101 Licensed practical nurses
32102 Paramedical occupations
33102 Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates
33103 Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants
33109 Other assisting occupations in support of health services
31200 Psychologists
41301 Therapists in counselling and related specialized therapies
41310 Police investigators and other investigative occupations
44101 Home support workers, caregivers and related occupations
65310 Light-duty cleaners
63100 Insurance agents and brokers
62020 Food service supervisors
62200 Chefs
63200 Cooks
63201 Butchers – Retail and wholesale
65202 Meat cutters and fishmongers – Retail and wholesale
64100 Retail salespersons and visual merchandisers
65200 Food and beverage servers
65201 Food counter attendants, kitchen helpers and related support occupations
72106 Welders and related machine operators
72310 Carpenters
72311 Cabinetmakers
72400 Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics
72402 Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics
72405 Machine fitters
72406 Elevator constructors and mechanics
72420 Oil and solid fuel heating mechanics
72421 Appliance servicers and repairers
72422 Electrical mechanics
72423 Motorcycle, all-terrain vehicle and other related mechanics
72429 Other small engine and small equipment repairers
73200 Residential and commercial installers and servicers
73300 Transport truck drivers
85100 Livestock labourers
85101 Harvesting labourers
84120 Specialized livestock workers and farm machinery operators
85103 Nursery and greenhouse labourers
85102 Aquaculture and marine harvest labourers
85120 Logging and forestry labourers
94141 Industrial butchers and meat cutters, poultry preparers and related workers
94142 Fish and seafood plant workers
94210 Furniture and fixture assemblers, finishers, refinishers and inspectors
94211 Assemblers and inspectors of other wood products
95100 Labourers in mineral and metal processing
95101 Labourers in metal fabrication
95102 Labourers in chemical products processing and utilities
95103 Labourers in wood, pulp and paper processing
95104 Labourers in rubber and plastic products manufacturing
95106 Labourers in food and beverage processing
95107 Labourers in fish and seafood processing

Canadian employers hoping to attract workers through economic immigration can recruit them through the TFWP and the International Mobility Program (IMP).

The Global Talent Stream (GTS), a part of the TFWP, can under normal processing situations lead to the granting of Canadian work permits and processing of visa applications within two weeks.

Employers can also bring in foreign nationals to fill available positions through the Express Entry system, which receives immigration applications online.

It powers the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSW), Federal Skilled Trades Program (FST), and Canada Experience Class Program (CEC) which all draw from the Express Entry pool of candidates. Those with the required Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores are then sent Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in regular draws.

Canada More Than Doubles Start-Up Visa Immigration

Colin Singer
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0
Canada More Than Doubles Start-Up Visa Immigration

The latest data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) reveals Start-Up Visa (SUV) entrepreneur immigration fell by 32.5 per cent in November in the wake of a rebound in the program in October.

In October, Canada had welcomed 200 new permanent residents to Canada through the SUV, up 37.9 per cent over the 145 new permanent residents in September.

But the number of entrepreneurs becoming new permanent residents to Canada softened in November with only 135 arriving under the SUV that month.

IRCC has allocated substantial planned admissions for permanent residence to Start-Up Visa applicants.  In 2024, 2025 and 2026, it plans to welcome 5,000, 6,000 and 6,000 newcomers respectively.

The program is still on track to welcome record numbers of new permanent residents by the end of 2023 based on the trend set in the first 11 months of the year.

By the end of November, the SUV had welcomed 1,145 new permanent residents, up 104.5 per cent from the 560 that arrived through the immigrant entrepreneurship program in the comparable period last year.

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Ontario and British Columbia remained the destinations of choice for SUV immigrants in November.

Ontario had received 725 new permanent residents through the program at the end of the first 11 months of 2023 and British Columbia had welcomed 265 through that immigration program during the same period.

Alberta had added 20 new permanent residents through the program by the end of November, showing no change from the previous month, and Manitoba had by then welcomed 120 immigrant entrepreneurs through the SUV.

The only other province to see the arrival of immigrant entrepreneurs through the SUV in 2023 was Nova Scotia which had by the end of November welcomed 15.

None of the other provinces or territories added any new permanent residents through the SUV in the first 11 months of 2023.

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The SUV program generates much lower overall numbers of new permanent residents than federal worker programs, such as the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) and Federal Skilled Trade (FST), the Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) or the regional economic development programs including the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) or Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP).

Due to these smaller numbers, the monthly fluctuations in the number of new permanent residents under the SUV can sometimes seem exaggerated when examined in percentage terms.

Candidates applying under the SUV program can initially come to Canada on a work permit supported by their designated Canadian investor before their application for permanent residence is finalized.

The entire process of applying for permanent residence to Canada through the SUV is currently estimated by the IRCC to take 37 months.

Under the SUV, three types of private-sector investors are considered: angel investors, venture capital funds, and business incubators.

A designated venture capital fund must confirm that it is investing at least $200,000 into the qualifying business. Candidates can also qualify with two or more commitments from designated venture capital funds totalling $200,000.

A designated angel investor group must invest at least $75,000 into the qualifying business. Candidates can also qualify with two or more investments from angel investor groups totalling $75,000.

Three Types Of Private-Sector Investors Are Considered Under The SUV

A designated business incubator must accept the applicant into its business incubator program. It is up to the immigrant investor to develop a viable business plan that will meet the due diligence requirements of these government-approved designated entities.

That investing and the development of the business is usually done with the help of business consultants in Canada’s start-up ecosystem with oversight from experienced corporate business immigration lawyers who can ensure a start-up’s business concept meets all industry-required terms and conditions.

The basic government-imposed candidate eligibility requirements for the SUV are:

Prince Edward Island Issues 136 Canada Immigration Invitations In New PNP Draw

Colin Singer
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Prince Edward Island Issues 136 Canada Immigration Invitations In New PNP Draw

Prince Edward Island has conducted a new provincial draw, issuing invitations to apply to 136 skilled worker and entrepreneur Canada immigration candidates.

The January 18 draw saw invitations issued through the Labour Impact, Express Entry and Business Impact Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP) streams.

It saw 134 invites issued to Labour Impact and Express Entry candidates working for a PEI employer with a minimum score of 65.

Business Impact candidates received 2 invitations, requiring a minimum score of 80 points.

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PEI PNP Immigration Draw

Date Category Invites Issued Minimum Score
18-01-2024 Labour Impact/Express Entry 134 65
Business Impact 2 80

PEI launched its Expression of Interest system at the start of 2018, and has made monthly draws ever since, with some disruption due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Watch Video

PEI issued 2,423 invites in 2023, up from 1,853 during 2022.

Of the 2023 invites, 2,359 went to Labour Impact and Express Entry candidates, with the remaining 64 going to Business Impact candidates.

Prince Edward Island Express Entry Stream

PEI’s Express Entry category operates by considering candidates already in the federal Express Entry Pool for a provincial nomination.

Such a nomination adds 600 points to a candidate’s Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score and effectively guarantees an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canadian immigration.

The PEI Express Entry Category features two pathways to Canadian permanent residence, one for candidates with a job offer and one for those without.

Prince Edward Island Labour Impact Category

1) Skilled Worker Stream

This employer driven stream allows skilled workers with an employment offer in PEI to be nominated for Canadian Permanent residence if they meet the following criteria:

  • A full time employment offer from a Prince Edward Island business in an occupation classified as TEER category 0, 1, 2 or 3 of the National Occupational Classification (NOC);
  • Completion of a post-secondary education, with a minimum of 14 years of formal education;
  • Between 21 and 55 years of age;
  • At least 2 years of full time work experience in the past 5 years;
  • Sufficient proficiency in English or French to occupy the employment offered;
  • Sufficient settlement funds;
  • Demonstrated intention to settle in Prince Edward Island.

2) Critical Worker Stream

This category is designed to resolve labour shortages and is open to foreign workers already in PEI with employment in specific critical demand occupations. The primary criteria for nomination are:

  • A full time offer of employment from a Prince Edward Island business in one of the following occupations:
    • Truck driver;
    • Customer service representative;
    • Labourer;
    • Food & beverage server;
    • Housekeeping attendant.
  • 6 months of work experience with the Prince Edward Island business offering employment;
  • Current valid Canadian work permit;
  • High school diploma and minimum of 12 years of formal education;
  • Between 21 and 55 years of age;
  • At least 2 years of full-time work experience in the past 5 years;
  • Demonstrate basic proficiency in English or French language;
  • Sufficient settlement funds;
  • Demonstrated intention to settle in Prince Edward Island.

Prince Edward Island Business Impact Category

Work Permit Stream

Individuals applying under the P.E.I. Work Permit Stream must obtain a Canadian work permit and work for a P.E.I. business for a certain amount of time as designated in a Performance Agreement.

After the Performance Agreement is fulfilled, the applicant must make a minimum $150,000 investment in the business and commit to managing the business on a daily basis from within P.E.I.

Previously, Prince Edward Island operated direct permanent residence business streams, but these were closed in September 2018 over immigration fraud concerns.

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