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Canada opens door to permanent residence for 90,000 international graduates

Canada is developing a one-time special immigration program to grant permanent residence to 90,000 recent international graduates

In November 2020, Canada announced a target of 401,000 admissions of new permanent residents in 2021 as part of its 2021-2023 Immigration Levels Plan.  In light of the extended border closures and challenges in admitting new permanent residents from overseas, Canada has looked at temporary residents currently in Canada who could contribute to economic immigration objectives. 

These foreign nationals, who are already employed in Canada and contributing to the labour market, represent the key talent that Canada strives to retain through economic immigration programming. 

In granting permanent residence to these individuals who have been granted a Canadian educational credential, Canada will be able to benefit from their education and experience over the long-term.  In the absence of this public policy, it is unlikely that Canada would be in a position to welcome the ambitious level of newcomers necessary to help support the country’s economic recovery and growth.

Public Policy Considerations

The public policy targets foreign nationals who have been granted an eligible Canadian credential, and who are currently employed in Canada, to provide an influx of talent across the economic landscape.  In so doing, the public policy recognizes the economic contribution of recent international graduates and acknowledges Canada’s ongoing need for the talent, skills, Canadian education and work experience of these skilled immigrants, which has been exacerbated during this exceptional time. 

While applications for permanent residence have been accepted and processed throughout the pandemic, the global travel restrictions and capacity constraints have led to a shortfall in admissions in 2020. The 401,000 new admissions announced for 2021 in the 2021-2023 Immigration Levels Plan are key to ensuring Canada has the workers it needs to fill key essential positions and remain competitive in attracting global talent.

Who Can Apply ?

The foreign national must:

  1. Have completed, prior to the date on which the application for permanent residence is received and no earlier than January 2017, a program of study at one of the following “Designated Learning Institutions
  1. One of the following credentials*, following the completion of a program study from an eligible institution as defined in a):
    • a degree (Associate, Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctorate) which must be a degree issued on completion of a program of at least 8 months in duration;
    • a degree, diploma, certificate, or attestation issued on completion of a program of any duration leading to an occupation in a skilled trade (listed in Annex A | Please scroll down); or
    • one or more diploma/certificate/attestation where the following conditions are met:
      • For diplomas/certificates/attestations, each program of study must be at least 8 months in duration and the combined length of the credential(s) must be equivalent to a two-year credential (at least 16 months in duration).
      • For the DVS and AVS, each program of study must be at least 900 hours in duration and the combined program of study must be at least 1,800 hours in duration.
        • When combining one AVS with one DVS, the length of the AVS may be less than 900 hours if the combined length is at least 1,800 hours.
      • For greater clarity, each combined credential must meet the eligible program requirements as defined in a), including the completion no earlier than January 2017.

  1. Have been authorized pursuant to the Act and Regulations to study throughout their education in Canada;
  1. Be employed in Canada with a valid permit or authorization to work pursuant to the Act and Regulations at the time the application for permanent residence is received and must not be self-employed, unless working as a medical doctor in a fee-for-service arrangement with a health authority. The employment must meet the definition of work under subsection 73(2) of the Regulations;
  2. Have attained a level of proficiency of at least benchmark 5 in either official language for each of the four language skill areas, as set out in the Canadian Language Benchmarks or the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens. This must be demonstrated by the results of an evaluation by an organization or institution designated by the Minister for the purpose of evaluating language proficiency under subsection 74(3) of the Regulations; and the evaluation must be less than two (2) years old when the permanent residence application is received;
  3. Reside in Canada with valid temporary resident status (or be eligible to restore their status) and be physically present in Canada at the time the application for permanent residence is received and when the application is approved;
  4. Intend to reside in a province or territory other than Quebec;
  5. Have submitted an application for permanent residence using the forms provided by the Department for this public policy and which must include at the time of application all proof necessary to satisfy an officer that the applicant meets the conditions (eligibility requirements) of this public policy, except for evidence required to demonstrate physical presence in Canada at the time of application approval;
  6. Have submitted their application for permanent residence under this public policy using electronic means (apply online). Foreign nationals who, because of a disability are unable to meet the requirement to make an application, submit any document or provide a signature or information using electronic means may submit this application by any other means that is made available or specified by the Minister for that purpose; and
  7. The foreign national is not inadmissible under the Act and Regulations

While all supporting documentation necessary to assess whether a foreign national meets the conditions of this public policy must be included at the time of application, officers retain discretion to request additional supporting documentation to confirm admissibility and eligibility throughout the processing of the application. 

Intake Cap

A maximum of 40,000 applications will be accepted for processing.

Fees

Any applicable fees, including fees for processing an application for permanent residence or for a permanent resident visa under subsection 25.2(1) of the Act, and the Right of Permanent Residence Fee, must be paid at the time of application.

Start and end dates

This public policy comes into effect on May 6, 2021 and will end on November 5, 2021 or once 40,000 applications have been received, whichever comes first.  As with all public policies, this public policy may be revoked by the Minister, without prior notice.

Applications received pursuant to this public policy on or after May 6, 2021 up until November 5, 2021, or the date of revocation, if applicable, will be processed under this temporary public policy, subject to the intake cap.  Any applications received after the intake cap of 40,000 has been reached, will not be processed.

ANNEX A – Eligible Skilled Trades

Major Group 72, industrial, electrical and construction trades

7201 Contractors and supervisors, machining, metal forming, shaping and erecting trades and related occupations

7202 Contractors and supervisors, electrical trades and telecommunications occupations

7203 Contractors and supervisors, pipefitting trades

7204 Contractors and supervisors, carpentry trades

7205 Contractors and supervisors, other construction trades, installers, repairers and servicers

7231 Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors

7232 Tool and die makers

7233 Sheet metal workers

7234 Boilermakers

7235 Structural metal and platework fabricators and fitters

7236 Ironworkers

7237 Welders and related machine operators

7241 Electricians (except industrial and power system)

7242 Industrial electricians

7243 Power system electricians

7244 Electrical power line and cable workers

7245 Telecommunications line and cable workers

7246 Telecommunications installation and repair workers

7247 Cable television service and maintenance technicians

7251 Plumbers

7252 Steamfitters, pipefitters and sprinkler system installers

7253 Gas fitters

7271 Carpenters

7272 Cabinetmakers

7281 Bricklayers

7282 Concrete finishers

7283 Tilesetters

7284 Plasterers, drywall installers and finishers and lathers

7291 Roofers and shinglers

7292 Glaziers

7293 Insulators

7294 Painters and decorators (except interior decorators)

7295 Floor covering installers

Major Group 73, maintenance and equipment operation trades;

7301 Contractors and supervisors, mechanic trades

7302 Contractors and supervisors, heavy equipment operator crews

7303 Supervisors, printing and related occupations

7304 Supervisors, railway transport operations

7305 Supervisors, motor transport and other ground transit operators

7311 Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics

7312 Heavy-duty equipment mechanics

7313 Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics

7314 Railway carmen/women

7315 Aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors

7316 Machine fitters

7318 Elevator constructors and mechanics

7321 Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers

7322 Motor vehicle body repairers

7331 Oil and solid fuel heating mechanics

7332 Appliance servicers and repairers

7333 Electrical mechanics

7334 Motorcycle, all-terrain vehicle and other related mechanics

7335 Other small engine and small equipment repairers

7361 Railway and yard locomotive engineers

7362 Railway conductors and brakemen/women

7371 Crane operators

7372 Drillers and blasters – surface mining, quarrying and construction

7373 Water well drillers

7381 Printing press operators

7384 Other trades and related occupations, n.e.c.

Major Group 82, supervisors and technical occupations in natural resources, agriculture and related production

8211 Supervisors, logging and forestry

8221 Supervisors, mining and quarrying

8222 Contractors and supervisors, oil and gas drilling and services

8231 Underground production and development miners

8232 Oil and gas well drillers, servicers, testers and related workers

8241 Logging machinery operators

8252 Agricultural service contractors, farm supervisors and specialized livestock workers

8255 Contractors and supervisors, landscaping, grounds maintenance and horticulture services

8261 Fishing masters and officers

8262 Fishermen/women

Major Group 92, processing, manufacturing and utilities supervisors and central control operators;

9211Supervisors, mineral and metal processing

9212 Supervisors, petroleum, gas and chemical processing and utilities

9213 Supervisors, food and beverage processing

9214 Supervisors, plastic and rubber products manufacturing

9215 Supervisors, forest products processing

9217 Supervisors, textile, fabric, fur and leather products processing and manufacturing

9221 Supervisors, motor vehicle assembling

9222 Supervisors, electronics manufacturing

9223 Supervisors, electrical products manufacturing

9224 Supervisors, furniture and fixtures manufacturing

9226 Supervisors, other mechanical and metal products manufacturing

9227 Supervisors, other products manufacturing and assembly

9231 Central control and process operators, mineral and metal processing

9232 Central control and process operators, petroleum, gas and chemical processing

9235 Pulping, papermaking and coating control operators

9241 Power engineers and power systems operators

9243 Water and waste treatment plant operators

Minor Group 632, chefs and cooks

6321 Chefs

6322 Cooks

Minor Group 633, butchers and bakers

6331 Butchers, meat cutters and fishmongers – retail and wholesale

6332 Bakers