Canada has announced 3 new accelerated pathways to permanent residency for over 90,000 essential temporary workers and international graduates. These new programs and special public policies will grant permanent status to temporary workers and international graduates who are already in Canada and who possess the skills and experience Canada needs to fight the pandemic and accelerate the economic recovery. In January, Prime Minister Trudeau made the recruitment and retention of healthcare workers from other countries a top priority for Canada immigration.

“As we continue the fight against the pandemic, immigration will remain critical to our economic recovery by addressing labour shortages and adding growth to our workforce. With an accelerated pathway to permanent residency, these special public policies will encourage essential temporary workers and international graduates to put down roots in Canada and help us retain the talented workers we need, particularly in our health-care system.”

Beginning May 6, 2021, Canada’s IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) will begin accepting permanent residence applications:

  • 20,000 apps for temporary workers in healthcare
  • 30,000 apps for temporary workers in other selected essential occupations
  • 40,000 apps for international students who graduated from a Canadian institution
  • Essential Worker Permanent Residency Eligibility Requirements

    To be eligible, workers must have at least 1 yr of CAD work experience in a healthcare profession or another pre-approved essential occupation. International graduates must have completed an eligible Canadian post-secondary program within the last 4 years but no earlier than January 2017.

    • The 3 new permanent residency streams will remain open until November 5, 2021, or until they have reached their limit.
    • Up to 90,000 new permanent residents will be admitted under these 3 streams.

    New Canada Residency Streams For French and Bilingual Applicants

    IRCC also announced that in order to promote Canada’s official languages English and French, 3 additional streams with no intake caps are available for French-speaking or bilingual immigration candidates.

    Communities across Canada benefit from French-speaking and bilingual newcomers, and this pathway will contribute to the vitality of these Francophone minority communities.

    These new permanent residence programs will help Canada to reach its 2021 Immigration Levels Plan and welcome 401,000 new permanent residents. The skilled newcomers and international graduates welcomed under the plan will help create jobs and drive long-term growth in Canada.

    Do You Want To Become a Canada Permanent Resident?

    If you are already in Canada and are an essential worker during the COVID pandemic or recent graduate, or if you are bilingual in French and English, you may qualify for Canada’s new permanent residency program. Ackah Business Immigration Law guides you through the immigration journey to permanent residence in Canada. To find out if you qualify and to help process your application, contact Ackah Law today at (403) 452‑9515 or email us at contact@ackahlaw.com.