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OINP introducing Expression of Interest, bringing changes to its Traditional System

March 31, 2021

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Canada’s popular immigration program, Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program is introducing major changes to its five immigration streams by introducing the Expression of Interest system.

On March 15, 2021, the program filed the amending regulations under the Ontario Immigration Act, 2015 for introducing the Expression of Interest system.

Before looking at the changes, let’s first understand what an Expression of Interest is.

What is Expression of Interest (EOI)?

Simply put, Expression of Interest is a system to select skilled economic immigrants based on their qualifications and experience, and other relevant fields, which is points-based, in order to meet the labour market needs of the province. Previously, the system used first-come-first-served model and is now being improved to rank candidate’s human capital and labour market factors.

Most of the provinces under Provincial Nominee Programs are already using the Expression of Interest system for managing new registrants.

OINP streams introduced with Expression of Interest

The following streams remain closed and will be re-opened once the EOI is implemented in the following weeks. The OINP will be applying the new changes to the following streams:

• Employer Job Offer Category streams (Foreign Worker, International Student and In-Demand Skills)

• Masters Graduate stream; and

• Ph.D. Graduate stream

What does it mean to submit the Expression of Interest?

Registering for Expression of Interest means you are only submitting your interest to OINP and is not the application for permanent residence. A typical Expression of Interest usually requires candidates to submit a resume, with their relevant work experience, education, and other information. However, OINP has not mentioned the details of the Expression of Interest system.

The director would decide to issue a general or targeted invitation for a certificate of nomination as per the defined category, based on the highest-ranking applicants in the category. If you have the set of qualifications required in Expression of Interest, you will then be requested supporting information and to apply for a certificate of nomination.

To receive a certificate of nomination from Ontario, the applicant must have been issued an invitation and have applied for the certificate within the deadline determined by the director, which will be published on the Ministry’s website.

Further details on when the streams will open, and how the Expression of Interest would work exactly and the changes that will be effective are yet to be posted.

Why switch to Expression of Interest?

With the introduction of the EOI system, it would help OINP to make significant improvements on

• Managing intakes more strategically

• Increasing responsiveness to the OINP’s labour market and responding better to the regional labour market needs

EOI systems are currently being used by many of the provinces under Provincial Nominee Programs – Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Prince Edward Island, and more. The main purpose of introducing the system is to make the process more predictable, fairer, and user-friendly than the current process. In addition, the system would also prioritize candidates with certain skills to meet the regional labour market need.

It was during fall 2020, Ontario started consultations about implementing the EOI system, for which it received positive feedback overall from individuals, applicants, employers, organizations, representatives, and associations. Prior to this, the OINP has also made amendments to the Ontario Immigration Act for Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills stream.

Amendments to Regulations

The Ministry of Labour, Training, and Skills Development filed on March 15, 2021, under the Ontario Immigration Act, 2015 for introducing an Expression of Interest system:

Ontario Regulation 422/17 (General)

Ontario Regulation 421/17 (Approvals under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program and Other Matters)

The changes to the OINP’s system would mean an improved intake system, providing a fair chance for the individuals and applicants to submit their interest and qualify under the stream for permanent residence.

Learn about your eligibility for different immigration streams and find the best way for settling in Canada as a permanent resident by starting your assessment!

Simply Start your Assessment or Call (1) 905-362-9393 (Canada), +91 9586 226232 (Ahmedabad) or drop an E-mail at support@spscanada.com (Canada), support.amd@spscanada.com (Ahmedabad) for further information.

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Waiting to Sponsor your Parents and Grandparents This Year? This is the TIME!

October 9, 2020

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With IRCC’s new update on October 5th about the opening of the 2020 Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship Program, many of you waiting to reunite with your families must have been the happiest! Indeed, this brings hope to many of us, to be with our families again.

Let’s go through the program highlights this time if there are any changes to the program and what you need to do, to prepare when the program opens this October 13th Noon.

Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship Program Highlights

The applications will be accepted from 12 PM EDT on October 13th to 12 PM EST on November 3rd, 2020
You can submit the interest to sponsor during this period through the form online
Potential Sponsors are selected randomly, to send the invitation to submit applications
You have 60 days to submit the applications once you’re selected for the sponsorship
Person with disabilities can request the interest to sponsor through alternative formats – paper copy, Braille, or large print by contacting the IRCC Client Support Centre at 1-888-242-2100 or by email until November 3, 2020.
Since Sponsors are likely to be impacted by COVID, a temporary public policy would be introduced to reduce the income requirement for the 2020 tax year, to minimum necessary income, instead of minimum necessary income plus 30%.
A maximum of 10,000 applications would be accepted for the 2020 PGP intake
New intake to submit the interest to sponsor will open in 2021 for 30,000 new applications

This step is an initiative to support reunification with the families, as the government understands the importance of families being together, especially in these difficult times.

“Our government strongly believes in the importance of keeping families together—particularly during difficult times. The Parents and Grandparents Program is a dedicated pathway to reuniting more families in Canada. Our government has strengthened the program by increasing the number of people who can apply, making the intake process more fair, and steadily increasing the number of families who will be able to reunite. Now, more than ever, family reunification is an important component of Canada’s immigration system. It plays a key role in attracting, retaining and integrating the best and the brightest from around the world.”

– The Honourable Marco E. L. Mendicino, P.C., M.P., Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

The Government of Canada is completely committed to ensuring that the program is fair and accessible to Canadians and Permanent Residents and has been designed to accommodate the needs of people with disabilities!

This time, the Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship program was delayed due to COVID-19, allowing some time to respond to the global pandemic and has now contributed to addressing the needs of potential candidates, waiting to sponsor their parents and grandparents, from the beginning of the year 2020.

Want to Sponsor your Parents and Grandparents? Simply Start your Assessment ASAP: https://www.spscanada.com/start-your-assesments

Or reach us at support@spscanada.com or call (1) 905-362-9393

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A Guide to Extending Your Temporary Stay in Canada

September 29, 2020

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Yes, we have been there, and we understand what it’s like! Being an immigrant means, tracking down your status period from time to time, and meeting deadlines with valid documents! As troublesome as it may sound, it is not difficult if you understand the procedures, from the right representative.

Due to the impact of COVID-19, there are several travel restrictions in place, since March 18, 2020, and leaving the country or entering the country may not have been possible for many immigrants. If you are a temporary resident, you must take some actions to extend your legal status, within the time frame.

Extending your Visitor status

The first time you entered Canada as a visitor, you must have used the following documents:

A visitor visa (also called a temporary resident visa)
An electronic travel authorization (eTA)
A valid passport or travel document

However, if you are now extending your stay as a visitor, you must apply for a visitor record. Please note that a Visitor Record is not a Visa, it is a document, which allows you to stay longer, providing a Visitor Status in Canada, and has a new expiration date, until which your stay is valid, however, it does not guarantee that you can leave and re-enter again.

You need to apply before your current status expires, most of the visitors can stay in Canada for 6 months.

Extending your temporary worker status

To be eligible for an extension of your temporary worker status, you must submit the application before the expiry date.

Temporary Workers on an open work permit, do not have restrictions for working with any employers, and need not renew or extend the work permit, to start working for a new employer, and are required to extend their permit, only if it is expiring.

Temporary Workers on a closed work permit will however have to

Apply for a new LMIA from Employment and Social Development Canada/Service Canada,

Submit a new offer of employment, and

Pay the employer compliance fee if you don’t need an LMIA

Moreover, workers should also apply to change conditions of their work permit, if their occupation or wages at work are changing substantially, or they are changing employers.

For any work permit extension, you must be eligible to submit the application before the expiry date of your status and continue to meet the initial requirements of the stay and abide by the conditions on the status, including meeting requirements under which you are applying to restore the status as workers.

You can apply through an online portal of IRCC by making sure you have all the documents required, fill the form completely and validate, pay the fees, and submit your application.

As of September 24th, the processing time for temporary residence applications online (within Canada) is 197 days, due to the impact of COVID-19.

If your application is successful, you will be receiving the document granting approval for your temporary residence application, with a new expiry date. However, you are required to leave Canada after your current status expires in case it gets rejected.

You will have 90 days to restore your status for refusal. Due to the impact of COVID-19, you can now restore your status till December 31st, 2020 if your status expired after January 30, 2020.

Do you need assistance in getting the right guidance for your temporary residence applications and extension? We can help you achieve your goals, by suggesting what is right and wrong for you!

Want to extend your temporary stay in Canada? Simply Start your Assessment ASAP Or reach us at support@spscanada.com or call (1) 905-362-9393

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What does the Recent Canada’s Immigration Statistics tell us?

September 17, 2020

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In July 2020, Canada welcomed more than thirteen thousand permanent residents, which was about 63 percent less than the data, compared to last year in July 2019 as per CIC News. Last year in July, it was one of the busiest months in terms of Canadian immigration, as Canada welcomed more than thirty-six thousand permanent residents.

Usually, July receives the highest number of immigrants, as people love warmer weather, and the academic session starts during fall. However, after the COVID outbreak, June 2020 has been the strongest month for immigrations, which had a figure of 19,200 immigrants.

As the travel restrictions were in place from March, Canada’s PR intake dropped drastically in the month of April, since the disruptions impacted approved immigrants as they were not able to board the flights.

Permanent resident applicants, who received the approval of Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR), before March 18, 2020, are currently exempted from travel restrictions and can travel Canada with a mandatory 14-days quarantine plan.

As per CIC News, the top 10 countries, from where the highest number of immigrants with permanent residence in July are:

India (3,195)
China (870)
Philippines (865)
Pakistan (640)
Nigeria (555)
Morocco (515)
Iran (405)
United States of America (405)
Algeria (335)
France (290)

Well, amidst of the pandemic, Canada has been processing applications for issuing new permanent residence invitations to candidates that are successful. Express Entry draws usually take place bi-weekly, and IRCC issued 69,950 ITAs in 2020 till September 2nd, 2020, and Canada seems very committed to its 2020-2022 Immigration level plans.

Even though the statistics are down, it is likely that the figures will take off once the situation of COVID would be at ease, and the flights are resumed to normal flow.

you are interested in learning about your options for Canadian Immigration, this would be the right time! You have some preparation time in hands and we would be guiding you through, with the answers that are tailored to your immigration needs, and we are simply a few clicks away to receive your interest!

Book a Consultant and find your Canada immigration options and answers to all doubts and concerns by scheduling a one-to-one initial consultation meeting with our Senior Practitioner at SPS Canada Immigration.

You can Call (1) 905-362-9393 (Canada), +91 9586 226232 (Ahmedabad) or drop an E-mail at support@spscanada.com (Canada), support.amd@spscanada.com (Ahmedabad)

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A City in Ontario, North Bay is launching the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot Soon

September 10, 2020

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Currently, there are nine communities under Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) accepting applications, and North Bay, a city in northeastern Ontario, would soon become the tenth community that will start accepting applications through the federal pilot program, probably after a couple of weeks.

Well, the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) is completely community-driven, meaning that it is in place to cover and spread the benefits of economic immigration, through permanent residence pathways, allowing potential skilled candidates, willing to stay and work in these participating communities.

North Bay is approximately 300km north from Toronto, with a community of more than fifty thousand people, that offers a vibrant environment for families and individuals with a diverse economy, which is now a leading community in terms of the settlement services offered to the new residents.

Like any other participating communities, North Bay also has a quota of 100 community recommendations, for the first year of the pilot project. The program has been designed to help employers connect with foreign workers, for sectors facing labor shortages in the rural Canadian communities.

As soon as the website for North Bay RNIP goes online, candidates will be able to submit applications, and the employers would be able to post the job offers.

Similar to other RNIP communities, you will require a job offer with valid full-time employment, and candidates receiving a community referral through the RNIP, would be able to apply for their permanent residence in Canada.

The participating communities match the foreign workers with the local job opportunities, and the process usually varies with communities, candidates with bilingual abilities may have an advantage.

Once North Bay launches its program, it will start reviewing the applications immediately, with candidates having full-time employment in the high-demand sectors.

RNIP Participating communities

North Bay, ON – Coming soon

Sudbury, ON – https://investsudbury.ca

Timmins, ON – www.timminsedc.com

Sault Ste. Marie, ON – www.welcometossm.com

Thunder Bay, ON – www.gotothunderbay.com

Brandon, MB – www.economicdevelopmentbrandon.com

Altona/Rhineland, MB – www.seedrgpa.com

Moose Jaw, SK – Coming soon

Claresholm, AB – www.claresholm.ca

Vernon, BC – https://rnip-vernon.ca

West Kootenay (Trail, Castlegar, Rossland, Nelson), BC – https://wk-rnip.ca/

Would you like to discuss your options for the pathway to immigrating Canada and secure your immigration goals? SPS Canada Immigration is here to help and support everyone looking out for the right guidance, find out how by starting your assessment below.

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Canada Welcomes Immigrants, and the Interest in Immigration is Only Increasing!

September 4, 2020

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Well, you might be surprised by what we are about to share. Even amidst the pandemic, according to CIC News, a new survey conducted by World Education Services (WES), witnessed that the interest in Canadian immigration is driving more, instead of saturating for some time now. More people are interested in immigrating to Canada in the month of June than those numbers in April.

You may have known, WES is an institution providing educational credential assessments, for candidates interested in economic-class immigration. Hence, they interact with thousands of immigrants and their intentions every week. It turns out, 45 percent of the respondents were more interested in migrating Canada, and just 6 percent were less interested, while 32percent of the candidates are delaying their immigration.

The world’s economic condition has been hit hard by the pandemic however, one major reason for the interest is that many respondents believe that Canada has been less impacted than what they witnessed in their home countries. But it is true that Canada has also been impacted by the pandemic. The good news is, recent Labour Force Survey revealed that 55% of jobs that were lost because of COVID 19 has been regained in July.

As per the many respondents, they believe that the pandemic had an impact more on their home countries than what they believe was faced by Canada. It was in June that 58 per cent of the respondents felt that the pandemic caused a negative impact in terms of the economic condition in Canada, and 80 percent believed that their home country would have a more negative impact. In general, people have a mindset that Canada could have been less impacted than that of their home country.

It is self-explanatory that immigrants in Canada play a crucial role in the recovery of Canada’s economy. At this moment, the country also has a higher number of retirements and low birth rates, giving opportunities for many willing to immigrate to Canada.

Newcomers in Canada have their significant plays in the recovery of the country, and there are many measures implemented by IRCC to secure the immigrant’s need during and post-pandemic. With all these generous steps taken by Canada’s Immigration Minister, Marco Mendicino, it is well-understood that immigration would be a continuing priority even in a post-pandemic situation.

So, are you interested in immigrating Canada, in search of the perfect option that works best for you and your future? All you need is genuine guidance, for which SPS Canada Immigration is always known for!

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Asylum Claimants working on Front-Line during COVID, offered pathway to Permanent Residency

August 25, 2020

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“The government recognizes the extraordinary contribution of asylum claimants working in Canada’s health-care sector during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in long-term care centres. As these individuals face an uncertain future in Canada, the current circumstances merit exceptional measures in recognition of their service during the pandemic.”

—The Honourable Marco E. L. Mendicino, P.C., M.P., Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

Amidst the pandemic, front-line workers have played a very crucial role for keeping the Canadians healthy. As a recognition for their selfless and exceptional service, Canada’s Minister Honourable Marco E. L. Mendicino, made an announcement on August 14, 2020 that asylum claimants working in the health-care sector, during this pandemic, will be provided with a temporary measure to apply for permanent residence.

With this measure, asylum claimants working on the front line to provide care for those in the health-care institutions can apply for the permanent residency, if they meet the criteria. Quebec will however select candidates who are willing to reside in Quebec for this special temporary measure in place. The motif of this measure is to recognize the invaluable bravery immigrants with precarious immigration status have shown putting their own lives at risk to care for others.

In case the application gets approved, humanitarian and compassionate consideration, aligned with the government’s commitment for family reunification, the family members in Canada of the principal applicant would also be included in the application and will be granted permanent residency.

Those applicants who were found ineligible to make an asylum claim or may have withdrawn the application or have been abandoned, are excluded from applying.

Following are the qualification criteria of the individuals. You must have

Claimed asylum before March 13, 2020
Been issued a work permit after the claim was made
Worked in the health care sector – hospitals, long-term care homes, home care through an organization or agency, assisted living facilities)
Worked for minimum of 120 hours between March 13, 2020 and August 14, 2020, in a designated occupation – orderlies, nurses, nurses’ aides and patient service associates, assistant orderlies and certain home support workers
Must have six months of experience in the designated occupation, before the permanent residence is granted, which must be acquired until August 31, 2021.
Must have a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ), if wishing to reside in Quebec
Should meet other admissibility requirements, related to criminality, security, and health

Even in this pandemic, Government of Canada has introduced a series of temporary measures to help combat these unprecedented times, for many immigrants, who were not sure of their steps ahead, for which we must all be thankful. It is always good to know that immigrants have been prioritized with their needs to secure their status, which could’ve been lost, if the government did not have put in place these special temporary measures to help temporary and permanent residence applicants.

Are you confused with many temporary measures in place and would like to understand your options for Canadian Immigration? All you need do is, start your Assessment, and our representatives will get back to you with answers!

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4 Most Popular Programs to Immigrate to Canada At This Moment

August 10, 2020

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As per the Federal Government of Canada, it will be admitting more than one million immigrants in the next three years. Canada has more than 70 immigration programs, but which are the best programs for you to immigrate? This will depend on your profile, and further assessing it, you will have a couple of answers. However, there are some of the most-liked programs that are a bit easier to proceed that save time and have higher chances of succeeding.

There are numerous updates made by the Canadian government amidst the COVID-19, to protect many immigrants with temporary measures that are helpful to protect their status during the pandemic.

Here, we will discuss some of the most eligible programs for Canadian immigration, that you can apply and find your chances to immigrate to Canada.

Express Entry

Express Entry, one of the most eligible immigration system in Canada, has been helping many skilled workers within and outside Canada to become a permanent resident in Canada. It is a system that helps in ranking candidates, in terms of their age, education, work experience, and language abilities, and the system selects the best candidates from the pool, based on their score to receive an invitation to apply for permanent residence.

The applications are usually processed within six months or less and have one of the fastest processing times, and you can accompany your family member in the application. SPS Canada Immigration has been helping many clients secure their permanent residence through the various streams in the Express Entry system, and you might just be the next! Take your time to go through the assessment and we will get back to you with answers!

Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)

All the provinces in Canada have their own immigration program and are referred to as Provincial Nominee Programs, with an exception for Quebec. The aim of the program is to respond to the needs of the economic needs by nominating the candidates for permanent residency.

PNP keeps in search of foreign workers that are in-demand within the province, and you must meet the minimum requirements of the province’s and follow further instructions for each of the provincial nominee program on their website. Each province has its own set of requirements to be fulfilled, and you can get up to 600 CRS points if you are nominated by the province for your permanent residence application, which is a guarantee that you would be receiving an invitation to apply for your permanent residence.

Becoming an International Student

With major adjustments made to accommodate the needs of international students, Canada has become an even more likable destination for many international students. Among many other countries, Canada has implemented better pathways for the students to settle in Canada as a permanent residence, having met the requirements for permanent residence application through various streams and programs available today.

There are many students, who start their journey in Canada by studying and step in to lay the foundation to settle in Canada in the long run. With the COVID situation, Canada has created some temporary measures for international students in terms of working hours for international students in essential industry, postgraduate work permits, and study permit applications.

Rural Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP)

The Rural Northern Immigration Pilot is a program designed to upgrade smaller communities with the idea of economic immigration, which creates a pathway to permanent residence for many foreign workers, wishing to work and live in these rural participating communities.

You must meet the specific requirements of the communities under the pilot, and you can submit your application as soon as you have a job offer for the recommendation in the community. There are additional community requirements to be eligible for permanent residence, and community recommendation process, which you will have to go through to qualify for your permanent residence application.

These are just a few programs that you can consider Canada for immigration, while there are various other programs such as Atlantic Immigration Pilot, Agri-Food Pilot, and many more!

Are you interested in figuring out your best chances for the Canadian Immigration programs? It is better to know beforehand about the programs you qualify for. Get your alternatives today, and work towards your permanent residence pathways by starting your assessment!

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COVID-19: An Update on Work Permit Holders Entering Canada

July 29, 2020

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As of March 18, Canada has placed restrictions in traveling to diminish the spread of COVID-19. The current restrictions are to expire on June 30, with an exception on the travel between cross-border Canada and the U.S, which is in place till July 21 until today.

Work permit holders are exempted from the travel restrictions if they are traveling for essential reasons or if their travel is acknowledged as non-optional or non-discretionary. In order to provide a clearer picture, IRCC as provided further guidance on the subject about essential travel, workers exempted from travel restrictions.

Temporary Workers exempted from Travel Restrictions

Foreign nationals outside Canada are exempted from travel restrictions if their travel is for essential reasons – a non-optional or non-discretionary purpose:

Foreign nationals with a valid Canadian work permit (also includes open work permit)
Foreign nationals who have received positive response – a letter of introduction from IRCC on a work permit application but whose work permit has not been issued yet. In such case, this copy of the letter of introduction must be presented to the air carrier.

Critical Occupations

IRCC notes that work permit applications overseas and in Canada should be prioritized if the occupations are in health, safety and food security reasons. They are exempted from the travel restrictions and may not be subjected to mandatory 14-day quarantine period if described in the Order in Council. This includes:

Providers of emergency services, working for the protection or preservation of life or property – example: Firefighters and Medical Service Providers
Foreign nationals qualifying for LMIA-exempt work permit, if the work is associated with protection or preservation of life or property, for COVID-19 response and maintenance of critical infrastructure or services.
Students coming to Canada in health field, as a medical elective or clinical clerk, for the purpose of training with a written approval from the regulating body
Workers in the marine transport, responsible for movement of goods by vessel
Workers in delivering, maintaining, or repairing medically necessary equipment or devices
Workers in medical deliveries of cells, blood and blood products, tissues, organs or other body parts that are required for patient care in Canada during or within a reasonable period of time

Example scenarios – Non-optional or Non-Discretionary Travel

Following travel scenarios are for foreign nationals, with a valid work permit or have received a letter of introduction from IRCC on their work permit application.

A foreign national with a valid work permit who ordinarily resides in Canada. Even if the foreign national does not have a job in Canada, but since their primary residence is in Canada, this is suggested as non-optional travel.
A foreign national with a letter of introduction for open work permit, along with a valid job offer, can work once they enter Canada.
A foreign national with a letter of introduction for an employer-specific work permit, along with a valid job offer, can work once they enter Canada.

Example Scenarios – Optional or discretionary travel

Following travel scenarios define an optional or discretionary travel for foreign nationals with a valid work permit or letter of introduction from IRCC.

A foreign national with a letter of introduction for an employer-specific work permit, but the business has been closed by the employer due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
A foreign national with a letter of introduction for an open work permit but has not found a job yet and is planning to search for work opportunities.

Context-specific scenario

There are other context-specific scenarios, where the accompanying family members of the work permit holders may be able to enter Canada, in case where the family members ordinarily reside in Canada. Border Service Officers will be however, examine the motivations for travel of the dependents and make discretionary decisions based on the situation, including current ties to Canada, such as whether they will be working in essential industry or coming to take care of their children.

International Experience Canada (IEC)

International Experience Canada (IEC) applicants of the work permit and who has already received the letter of introduction but are outside Canada, may be allowed to enter only if they have a valid offer of employment and the business is still operating during COVID-19, effective since May 8, 2020 until further notice. The applicant should however meet the admissibility requirements under the legislation.

Processing of Work Permit applications

IRCC has been processing applications and applicants outside Canada can continue to submit their work permit applications. Outside Canada applicants are suggested to apply online. In order to be on the travel exemption, the foreign national must adhere to the requirements of having a letter of introduction, when traveling by air and have a valid employment offer in the essential occupation and the business must be operating.

Do you need the right assistance with your work permit applications? We are here to help! Simply start your assessment and we can take it further from there!

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International Students are Well-supported with New Measures by the Canadian Government

July 22, 2020

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As we must all be aware, a number of temporary policies have been in place after the pandemic in support of international students and foreign workers. International students alone, make contributions of more than $21 billion in economic activity.

Since the fall season is approaching, the Minister has announced further support for international students as many students are set to begin their program online this fall, if the institutions are offering online classes.

This temporary policy will provide more clarity to the students about traveling to Canada once the situation eases further and in their home countries, allowing them to work in Canada after graduation, even when they had been continuing their studies from their home countries. These changes will still put Canada as a destination hub for international students for further education.

Temporary Measures in place:

Following are the measures that have been taken into consideration for further support to international students:

Study permit applications are prioritized for students who have already submitted a complete application, to be processed as quickly as possible
The time spent studying online outside Canada will be counted towards their eligibility for the post-graduation work permit, even if 50% of the program is completed abroad.
Reassurances provided to international students, who were not able to submit all the documents for completing their application process, and those who chose to pursue programs through distance learning, implementing a temporary 2-stage approval process.

It allows students to count the time they have to spend studying outside Canada towards their post-graduation work permit, and if they are able to satisfy all the requirements, they’ll receive full approval of the study permit application later. Once all the services resume, the applicants are required to submit all the documents to receive a study permit before being allowed to travel to Canada.

The current process is available to students starting their program in the fall semester, submitting the study permit applications before September 15, 2020. So, the students can enroll and begin their studies online, even though they are not able to submit all the required documents due to the service closures impacted by the pandemic.

Other Measures for Temporary Residence Applicants:

Visitors and study or work permit holders in Canada usually have 90 days to apply after their immigration status expires. The new policy now allows temporary residents to apply for restoration beyond the 90-days time frame, for those whose status expired after January 30, 2020, and remained in Canada, now have until December 31, 2020, to restore the status, if the requirements are met for the type of status you’re applying for.
As of July 15, 2020, Temporary Residence Applicants are no longer required to provide biometrics until further notice if you are applying from within Canada for the following:
- an extension of a work permit
- a new work permit
- an extension of a study permit
- a new study permit
- a visitor visa
- a visitor record to allow you to stay in Canada as a temporary resident
- restoration (extension) of temporary resident status
- a temporary resident permit
You do not have to pay the biometrics fee even if the system asks you to pay, you are exempted from paying the biometrics application fee.

While there are various challenges caused as a result of the pandemic in the world, Canada has been approaching with a number of temporary measures to protect the social and economic impact of the restrictions. International students make a significant contribution to Canada’s health and economic sector and with these measures, it is expected that international students will be contributing to Canada’s health and vitality.

Students must note that even though they might be commencing their studies from abroad, and have received approval-in-principle of a study permit application, may not guarantee that they will be receiving full approval, based on their admissibility criteria or security reasons.

Are you confused about how to proceed further with many different changes around? Speak with our Senior Practitioner to clear your doubts and find legit answers to your immigration-related questions! Start with your assessment now!

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