Canada set the most ambitious immigration goals in its history last year, aiming to accept more than 400,000 new permanent residents in 2021. With an aim to achieve the set targets, IRCC sent invitations to 27,000 plus applicants eligible under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) of Express Entry in the month of February 2021.
Moving forward, Canada launched six new streams, with over 90,000 new permanent residents planned. The new policy was launched on May 6, 2021 and it will remain open until November 5, 2021, or until the set number of applications are submitted and/or received, whichever is earlier. Temporary staff in hospitals and long- term care homes, as well as those on the frontlines of other essential sectors, as well as international student graduates from Canadian educational institutions, are eligible for this temporary public policy (TR to PR Pathway).
The list of new streams and their set target numbers are as follows:
a) Essential workers: Stream A- Health Care Workers with a quota of 20,000 applications Stream B- Essential nonhealth care workers with a quota of 30,000 applications
b) International Graduates with a quota of 40,000 applications (40,000 target met within 24 hours)
c) French Speaking Essential workers: Stream AHealth Care Workers (Unlimited) Stream B- Essential nonhealth care workers (Unlimited)
d) French Speaking International Graduates (Unlimited) Workers need to have at least one year of work experience in a qualifying profession in Canada, be currently working in Canada, and plan to live outside of Quebec. International students must have completed their studies at a Canadian university or college within the previous four years to be qualified (not having graduated before January 2017), must be employed and intend to live outside Quebec. Notably, French- language speakers will be able to apply through their own sperate route, which will be similar in any way except for the quota exemption.
It was not very surprising to see that the category for International Graduates with a quota of 40,000 applications took no less than a day to be completely filled. A lot of hustle-bustle was observed on the day the policy was launched which slowly returned to a normal steady pace the very next day. The other categories are still open and accepting applications and have not reached their specific targets yet.
This new policy however will help those with temporary status to prepare for their future in Canada, play a key role in our economic recovery, and help the economy rebuild better.
For more updates, stay tuned.
R. Kaur
[email protected]
