Canada has been a top choice for international students seeking quality education and a potential path to permanent residency (PR). However, policy changes have created obstacles for many, leaving them unsure of their future. With new immigration regulations tightening the pathway to PR, international students can overcome these stricter rules to find their place in Canada’s evolving system.
To bring your partner to Canada is a crucial aspect of family reunification and economic immigration. 2024, Canada plans to welcome over 114,000 new permanent residents through various family sponsorship programs, including spousal, children, and parent/grandparent pathways. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to sponsor your spouse and ensure they can live with you in Canada.
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) announced a policy shift on August 26th. It stated that it will allow Canada to reduce temporary foreign workers in certain regions. The department will pause Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) processing for Low-Wage TFWP employers in areas with 6%+ unemployment rates. This move aims to reduce reliance on foreign workers in areas with higher unemployment, addressing domestic employment concerns.
Starting this fall, international students will experience a shift in Canada’s work-hour limits. The new Canadian Rules on Work Hours allow students to work up to 24 hours per week off-campus, an increase from the current 20-hour cap. Announced by Immigration Minister Marc Miller in April, this change seeks to balance allowing students to work and ensuring their academic success. While the exact implementation date remains unconfirmed, the adjustment is anticipated to take effect this month. Until then, international students are limited to 20 hours per week off-campus during active academic periods.
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.
