In a significant move, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has introduced a temporary policy enabling specific PNP candidates now eligible to apply for an open work permit (OWP). This temporary measure opens up more employment opportunities for provincial nominees, allowing them to work for any employer in Canada while awaiting permanent residency.
As Canada Tightens Borders, there’s a drastic increase in the number of visitors and temporary residents who are denied entry. The government data reveals, the Trudeau administration has ramped up efforts to reduce the influx of temporary residents—a move seen as a response to growing public unease over immigration levels. With an election on the horizon, the Liberal government seems to be tightening its stance on immigration to address concerns over housing shortages and other social issues.
As of May 21st, the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) has reopened, offering a pathway for Canadian citizens and permanent residents to reunite with their loved ones. However, this year continues a pattern established over the past four years: Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will only select applicants from the 2020 pool. This means that potential sponsors in subsequent years have yet to have the opportunity to join the PGP candidate pool to sponsor their parents or grandparents for Canadian permanent residence (PR).
For those unable to sponsor their loved ones through the PGP, the Super Visa offers an alternative route to bring family members to Canada. While different from the PGP, the Super Visa serves a similar purpose by enabling family reunification.
The Immigration Pathway for Rural Communities in Canada has officially closed as of August 31. The program, known as the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP), began in August 2022 and has now concluded. The deadline for community recommendations to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) was July 31, while August 31 marked the final day for submitting permanent residence (PR) applications under this pilot.
As of August 28, Canada has ceased allowing visitors on temporary visas to apply for work permits while within the country. This significant policy shift marks the end of a measure introduced in August 2020, originally designed to help visitors stranded in Canada due to COVID-19-related border closures.
As of September 26, Canada has implemented a policy to cease processing Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) under the Low-Wage stream of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) in specific census metropolitan areas (CMAs). The new policy targets areas with an unemployment rate of 6% or higher, making certain cities in Canada face a stop on Low-Wage LMIA applications.
The Canadian government has announced a new deadline for GTA construction workers seeking permanent residency through a temporary public policy. Originally launched on January 2, 2020, this policy has been extended until December 31, 2024, or until the cap of 1,000 applications is reached. This extension underscores the continuing demand for skilled labor in Canada’s construction sector and their valuable contributions.
