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Category Archives: Work Permit

Canada to Expand Transitions to Permanent Residency

Honorable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, has proposed expanding options to permanent residence for international students and temporary foreign employees. The new five-pillar approach intends to increase the number of foreign workers and international students who transition to permanent residence and have substantial work experience in fields where there is a persistent labor shortage.

The strategy was developed in response to Motion 44 proposed by Randeep Sarai, Liberal Member of Parliament for Surrey Centre in May of 2022. The motion requested that the government develop and publicly release a plan to expand economic immigration to meet labor needs with workers of all skill levels.

Temporary foreign workers and international students are essential contributors to the Canadian economy, which is why the government is working to create more avenues to permanent residency. Foreign workers contribute to economic recovery and growth by addressing immediate labor needs, providing a diverse variety of skill levels and educational backgrounds, and supporting company expansion, innovation, and productivity. International students are an important source of talent, helping to expand Canada’s labor force, enhance productivity, and offset the impact of the country’s ageing population.

Five Pillar Strategy

Pillar 1

The enhanced immigration levels targets set in the Immigration Levels Plan 2022-2024 are intended to give Canada with a larger, permanent labor supply. This strategy expands chances for more temporary workers to become permanent residents, thereby addressing labor market shortages and fueling our post-pandemic economic growth.

Pillar 2

Through recent changes to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, the Express Entry system will be reformed, including increased flexibility in immigration selection tools under Express Entry. The Department will also review the Express Entry Comprehensive Ranking System criteria, specifically the points awarded for Canadian work experience and education, language proficiency, and a job offer. These revisions set the stage for the upcoming version of Express Entry, which will include more options for workers of all skill levels to transfer to permanent residence.

Pillar 3

This includes implementing changes to permanent economic immigration plans to aid in the transition of workers in high-demand occupations from temporary to permanent residence. On November 16, IRCC plans to adopt the National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021. This new occupation classification system will make 16 new occupations eligible for Express Entry while eliminating three previously eligible occupations. The government also intends to improve newcomers’ access to information to ensure that they meet the necessary qualifications and connect them to federal, provincial, or territorial immigration programs; remove barriers for physicians and other high-demand workers; and improve pilot programs to support permanent residency pathways for caregivers and agri-food workers.

Pillar 4

IRCC will support communities in attracting and retaining newcomers, including through Francophone immigration. The government aids Francophone minority groups outside of Quebec with initiatives targeted at attaining the 4.4% French-speaking immigration objective by 2023. A new Municipal Nominee Program is also being developed to assist municipalities in attracting and retaining newcomers to meet their local labor needs. In addition, the government is continuing to collaborate with provinces, territories, and Canadian employers on pathways to permanent residencies, such as the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).

Pillar 5

IRCC has reporting a decrease in its August 31 inventory. Still, Canadian immigration backlog is at 2.6 million. The government plans to “modernize the immigration system through technology advances”.  The government is expanding processing capacity, improving client experience, and modernizing the immigration system. These measures are aimed at ensuring that newcomers are welcomed as permanent residents as soon as feasible.

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New Post graduate work permit extension policy

Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced new measures for former international students with expired or expiring post-graduation work permits, as well as applicants for the temporary resident to the permanent resident pathway. This is a golden opportunity for PGWP holders to stay in Canada and work towards gaining valuable Canadian experience.

PGWPs are typically one-time events. Graduates of eligible full-time programs from international students can obtain an open work permit for up to three years. The new measure, on the other hand, will allow eligible PGWP holders to extend their work permit or apply for a new open work permit for another 18 months.

Those who are already in Canada will be able to work in the interim while their permit is extended or a new one is issued. Individual applicants will be affected differently by these measures. The following scenarios are provided by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

This policy is only for applicants whose PGWP expired or will expire from September 20, 2021, to December 31, 2022.

Work permit expires from October 2, 2022, to December 31, 2022

Requirements will be changed to conform to the NOC 2021 structure for all 3 Express Entry programs (Canadian Experie

Scenario 1: If applicant’s address is up to date, and passport is valid through April 2024, please be patient and wait. Don’t respond to IRCC when you receive an email from them to confirm your mailing address. An updated work permit will be sent to your mailing address by mid-October.

Scenario 2: If applicant wants to update address and provide new valid passport. Then follow the instructions in the email sent by IRCC to let them know that your mailing address needs to be updated. Applicant’s will receive instructions by email in September on how to update your mailing address and passport validity in their online account. They will get a 2-week window to do so. If applicant update this information, they will receive an updated work permit in the mail by mid-November.

Scenario 3: If applicant won’t be able to update passport validity. Then applicant will need to apply online to extend their work permit. They could receive a work permit extended to passport expiration date or they could wait to apply until they have renewed their passport.

Scenario 4: If applicant do not receive an email from IRCC by mid-September, then they are not eligible to have their work permit extended through this special process for another reason, such as information has been added to their file about admissibility to Canada that will need further review. Applicant may still apply online to extend their work permit.

Work permits expired or will expire from September 20, 2021, to October 1, 2022

PGWP holders whose work permit is expired or will expire from September 20, 2021, to October 1, 2022 will need to apply online for a work permit. If you are currently residing in Canada and your temporary status has expired, you must also apply to have your status restored. You are permitted to restore your status under these unique rules, even if it expired more than 90 days ago.

If a candidate has left Canada and plans to return after being accepted, they may apply from overseas.

Contact us to apply Post graduate work permit extension and open work permit from your family.

Work permits for applicants to the temporary resident to permanent resident pathways

Applicants who are part of the TR to PR pathways and whose permanent residence application has not yet been finalized are eligible to apply for an open work permit. This ensures that they will not lose their status or ability to work while their permanent residence application is being processed. Recognizing that the processing of TR to PR applications will take some time, those applying for an open work permit can now get one with an expiration date of December 31, 2024, as long as their passport is valid until then.

Applicants whose passports expire before December 31, 2024, will not receive this email and will be ineligible to extend the duration of their current work permit through the special measure. They can still apply for a longer work permit, either to match the day their passport expires or after they have updated their passport.

Conclusion

If the individual needs to update their mailing address, or if they choose not to receive an open work permit through this process, they will lose their eligibility for this special measure and they will be required to apply online.

Can X immigration can help you out by providing free assessment and consultation with the most recent updates on PGWP. Contact us to apply for your PGWP and open a work permit for your spouse.

How TEER system will affect Express entry applicants

Canada’s immigration division will transition to the 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) system on November 16, 2022. The new TEER system will alter eligibility criteria for some immigration programs in Canada, notably Express Entry.

Currently, NOC skill classes 0, A, or B, which correspond to the NOC 2016, must be used to describe your job experience to be eligible for Express Entry. After the change, the new Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities (TEER) system will be used by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to establish a candidate’s eligibility for work experience.

Updated NOC 2021 eligibility criteria for Express Entry

Requirements will be changed to conform to the NOC 2021 structure for all 3 Express Entry programs (Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Worker Program, and Federal Skilled Trades Program). Skill Type and Skill Levels from NOC 2016 will be replaced by TEER Categories from NOC 2021.

Source: Government of Canada

The programs that NOC 2021 will affect are listed below. Due to these modifications, these programs will have new eligibility requirements.

  • Express Entry Federal
    • Skilled Worker Program
    • Canadian Experience Class
    • Federal Skilled Trades Program
  • Atlantic Immigration Program
  • Provincial Nominee Program
  • Caregiver program
  • Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot
  • Agri-Food Pilot
  • Out-of-status construction workers
  • International Mobility Program
  • Temporary Foreign Worker Program

Professions that will now qualify for Express Entry

Beginning November 16, the following professions will be qualified for Express Entry:

Instructions for Express Entry candidates

Candidates for Express Entry who are currently in the pool as well as those who have not yet applied are given instructions on the IRCC website.

You must update your profile on or after November 16, 2022, if you have already submitted it but you have not yet received an Invitation to Apply (ITA). To make this change, go to the Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) website and search the NOC 2021 list first. After that, update your profile with your five-digit profession code and TEER Category.

You must locate your occupation’s code on the NOC 2021 list and include it while creating your Express Entry profile if you intend to submit it on or after November 16, 2022. It is not necessary to determine which new code matches the one you already have if you already received ITA before November 16, 2022.

Comprehensive ranking system

The Skill Type/Level update chart will be followed by the points applicant receive in the complete ranking system.

For instance, express entry applicants will still receive 50 points for arranged work in TEER 0, 1, or 3 if they would have received 50 points for arranged employment in Skill Type/Level 0, A, or B.

Conclusion

The decision of IRCC to adopt the 2021 version of (NOC) National Occupational Classification will not only allow multiple immigrants to work and settle in Canada but also make Multiple occupations eligible under Express Entry. For further assistance regarding new changes in Immigration and Policy, you can visit us at Can X immigration.

Contact us to create your Express Entry Profile.

Demand for Red Seal Trades in Canada

The red seal trades also known as “designated trades” are certain types or kinds of compulsory trades that are part of Red Seal Program in Canada. There are about 55 different trades that come under Red Seal Trades and includes all kinds of occupations with each one deemed as designated Red Seal Trade. Red Seal trades account for over 80% of all enrolled apprentices in Canada.

A Red Seal endorsement is added to a tradesperson’s provincial/territorial trade certificate once they pass the Red Seal exam. The Red Seal, which is affixed to a provincial or territorial trade certificate, indicates that a tradesperson has demonstrated the knowledge necessary to meet the national standard in that trade.

Demand for Red Seal Trades – An Outlook

Employer’s value the Red Seal endorsement because it fosters excellence, instills pride in talented people, and makes it easier for them to move about.

Apprentice Demand in Red Seal Trades, published by the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum (CAF-FCA), forecasts that 163,785 new journeypersons will be required between 2021 and 2025 to maintain workforce certification levels across 56 Red Seal trades in Canada.

Canada will require 375,026 apprentices over the next five years to meet this anticipated demand. The following red seal trades are in demand that include:

  • Auto service tech
  • Boilermaker
  • Bricklayer
  • Carpenter
  • Construction electrician
  • Cook
  • Hairstylist
  • Heavy-duty equipment tech
  • Millwright
  • Mobile crane operator
  • Plumber
  • Refrigeration/AC mechanic
  • Sheet metal worker
  • Steamfitter/pipefitter and
  • Welders are among the 15 Red Seal trades highlighted in the 2021 report.

Over the next five years, demand for boilermakers will far outstrip supply across the country. Plumbing appears to be in line with demand, while HVAC mechanics and steamfitter/pipefitter credentials will be relatively plentiful, according to the forecast.

With Seven Hundred Thousand skilled tradesmen anticipated to retire by 2028, the pipeline will be strained with skilled labour actively leaving the market without enough apprentices in the pipeline to replace them.

Immigrants make up only 8.7% of apprenticeships, although accounting for 20% of the population. Canada is falling short of its goal of importing 3,000 qualified tradesmen into the country each year, with only 2,365 entrants satisfying the federal skilled trade program’s qualifications. The Government of Canada invests extensively in apprenticeships through grants, loans, and tax credits, as well as employment insurance benefits during in-school training, project finance, and aid for the red seal program. Over the next five years, Canada is likely to suffer a shortage of at least 10,000 workers in recognized red seal trades, with a tenfold increase when 250 provincially regulated trades are factored in.

As a result, the Canadian government is collaborating with provinces and territories to standardize apprenticeship-training standards in Red Seal Trades. The Government of Canada expects to double the incentive to $10,000 in its Budget- 2021 for firms who hire Canadians from under-represented groups, such as women and people with disabilities, to improve diversity in Red Seal Trades. The Canadian government has waived the Canada Apprentice Loans until March 31, 2023. These initiatives will help to guarantee those who choose to pursue a career in the skilled trades to receive the assistance they require.

Benefits of red seal certification for immigrants

Obtaining the Red Seal certification can be beneficial to tradesmen who are considering moving to Canada. It can aid in obtaining a work visa or applying for permanent residence, increasing the likelihood of a favorable outcome. The Red Seal lends legitimacy to the tradesperson by validating their expertise and knowledge, making them a more viable immigrant candidate.

Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) at CAN X can help you with your immigration journey.

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How to get a work permit to work in Canada

Canada invites international talent to help it achieve its economic and social goals by awarding several sorts of work permits. Thousands of work permits are provided to foreign workers each year to meet the country’s economic and labor market needs.

There are several work permit pathways or programs to choose. Nonetheless, these pathways are divided into two categories.

  • Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)
  • International Mobility Program (IMP)
Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)

The Temporary Foreign Worker Program addresses Canada’s labor shortages. Employers must first acquire a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) demonstrating that they were unable to fill the post with a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) run the TFWP jointly. Employers can only hire foreign workers after acquiring an LMIA from ESDC, which authorizes the foreign national/worker to apply for a Canadian work permit or permanent residency in Canada.

The role of Labour Market Impact Assessments on issuance of work permits-

A Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is a document produced by ESDC that evaluates the effects of hiring a foreign worker on the Canadian labour market. While the majority of firms who hire foreign labour will need an LMIA, there are several exceptions. These exclusions to the LMIA are based on the following criteria:

  • Greater economic, cultural, or other competitive advantages for Canada and
  • Benefits enjoyed by Canadians and permanent residents.

A positive LMIA means that no Canadian citizen or permanent resident is available to fill a post, allowing a company to hire a foreign national.  If the LMIA is negative, it means that a Canadian citizen or permanent resident should fill the position.

Getting a Canadian work permit under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program

The foreign worker can apply for a work permit by submitting their employment offer letter, LMIA and all other supporting documentation to IRCC.

Employer-specific work permits, often known as “closed” work permits, are issued under the TFWP. This means that the foreign worker can only work for the employer that recruited them and for the length of time that the Canadian government has permitted.

International Mobility Program – What is it all about?

The International Mobility Program (IMP) is a program to promote Canada’s many economic and social objectives. The International Mobility Program (IMP) allows Canadian firms to hire foreign workers on a temporary basis without having to go through Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) process.

Foreign workers who are eligible under the IMP can apply for a work permit through the IRCC. Some foreign workers may be able to skip this phase entirely and work in Canada for a limited time. 

Either the employer or the foreign worker can lead the process of obtaining a work permit under the IMP. In case an organization or an employer has a vacancy and a foreign worker qualifies for an IMP stream, the foreign worker can be hired.

A Canadian employer must follow these three procedures or criterion in order to hire a foreign worker through the IMP such as:

• Verify that the position or employee in question is eligible for an LMIA exemption.

• Pay $230 CAD employer compliance fee

• Use the IMP’s Employer Portal to submit the official employment offer

Only after completing the above-mentioned three steps will the foreign national be eligible to apply for their own work permit. LMIA-exempt workers may qualify for expedited work permit processing through the Global Skills Strategy if their position in National Occupational Classification (NOC) Skill Level A or 0 and they are applying from outside of Canada.

Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) at CAN X can help you with your work permit application.

Contact us for a free consultation.