PGWP that has expired after September 20, 2021, may be extended

A recent tweet from Immigration Minister Sean Fraser regarding the PGWP extension has brought a sigh of relief to the PGWPs that have expired since September 20, 2021.

Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWPs) that expired between September 20, 2021, and December 31, 2022, might qualify for a single PGWP extension.

The eligible start date of the previously announced PGWP extension was moved from January 2022 to September 2021 by Immigration Minister Sean Fraser.

Anyone who owns a PGWP that is about to expire will benefit from the new policy. The main aim of the change is to accommodate Canadian Experience Class (CEC) applicants who haven't had the chance to submit an Express Entry application since September 21, 2021. To deal with the backlog of immigration applications, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) paused draws for these applicants, who are frequently PGWP holders. Plans are on to resume the draws from July 6, 2022.

PGWPs typically only last one time. However, the new policy will enable eligible PGWP holders to apply for a new open work permit with a maximum 18-month validity duration.

Despite the announcement in April, specifics on how to apply are still awaited. International graduates of full-time programs can obtain an open work permit for three years.

The current holders of PGWPs, who are currently witnessing the expiration of their documents, are finding themselves in a risky situation. Without clarity on revised extensions and how to apply for them, they may need to exit Canada till paperwork gets in order.

Each year, tens of thousands of PGWP holders receive permanent residency. With the years of study and work they have put in while studying in Canada, they are presumed to be well integrated into the Canadian labour market. More than 88,000 PGWP owners changed their status to permanent residents in 2021.

According to the government, this policy might help over 50,000 people.

Schedule a Free Work Permit Consultation with the SAAB Immigration.

Temporary Foreign Worker Program fills labour market gaps in Canada

The Temporary Foreign Worker Program seeks to address the Canadian labour shortage.

When Canadian firms cannot locate employees with the necessary skill set among Canadians or permanent residents, they might use the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) in Canada to get the required skills from overseas.

Why TFWP -

The purpose of TFWP is a program designed to help bridge the gaps in the Canadian labour market. The declining birth rate is not helping the situation. More Canadians are reaching the retirement age, and not enough is being added to the labour market. This gap is steadily increasing.

Shortages result when there are not enough Canadian citizens or permanent residents to fill vacant positions. An employer may file a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to Employment and Social Development Canada (EDSC); if no one in Canada has the relevant skills to fill the post, the employer may recruit a foreign worker to come to Canada and fill the position provided the LMIA results are good or neutral.

LMIA

An LMIA gives EDSC the knowledge it needs to assess if there is an actual need to hire a foreign worker and whether doing so will positively, neutral, or adversely impact the Canadian labor market. TFWP request meets rejection if it turns out that there are Canadians or permanent residents qualified for the position and looking for work.

Requirements for Advertising

An employer must take several steps to demonstrate that they have attempted to identify and hire a candidate from within Canada before being qualified for an LMIA.

1. Advertisement for the job in question must run at least four weeks across the Canadian labor market.
2. The Canada Job Bank must post the job.
3. Employers must show that at least two extra recruitment strategies have been used, such as specialized websites, local job fairs, or local media.
4. Employers must also certify that they are aware it is against the law to fire or reduce the working hours of their current Canadian employees.

Depending on the type of job opening, there can be exceptions to these guidelines; therefore, it's essential to seek advice from a professional to ensure you're adhering to the rules of required advertising.

LMIAs with high and low wage

There are two reasons to recruit a TFW, and these two factors may affect the type of LMIA an employer must file. They must apply through the high-wage position stream for highly specialized employment that pays at least as much as the province median wage.

Employers looking to fill low-wage employment must submit applications through the low-wage position stream. This stream is used to hire temporary manufacturing, agriculture, or tourism employees. Most low-wage positions have a 20 percent cap, meaning that no more than 20 percent of the workforce can be TFWs. Depending on the industry, the cap may increase to 30%.

How to obtain a TFWP and move to Canada

After being hired by an employer, a TFW must submit their work permit application to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) with the LMIA number, a copy of the LMIA, a job offer letter, and a contract. Processing times for the IRCC can differ.

TFWP work permits are "closed" work permits, which means that while an employee is in Canada, they may not be able to work for another employer and will only be able to do so for the duration of their contract.

What number of immigrants coming to Canada in the coming years?

immigrants coming to Canada

The Canada Immigration Levels Plan 2022-2024: An Overview

Between 2022 and 2024, a record number of immigrants coming to Canada. Despite the pandemic, Canada had a record number of permanent residents in 2021, with over 405,000. Canada's increased objective for 2022 is over 432,000 immigrants, with even higher numbers in 2023 and 2024. The figures may appear precise, but they are all based on the Immigration Levels Plan 2022-2024 of the Canadian government.

What are the plans for immigration levels?

The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) uses the Immigration Levels Plan to estimate the total number of permanent residents Canada will aim to welcome in a particular year. It also specifies the immigration categories that will accept permanent residents.

Since the late 1980s, Canada has invited over 200,000 immigrants annually, increasing to over 300,000 before the pandemic.

By 2021, the goal has risen to nearly 400,000 people per year or around 1.1 percent of the Canadian population.

What is Canada's need for immigrants?

The unemployment rate in Canada is at an all-time low. According to the most recent statistics from Statistics Canada, unemployment is currently at 5.2 percent, the lowest number since data became available in the 1970s. The need for immigrants is on account of Canada's aging population and the birth rate that is insufficient to replace the nine million employees who will reach retirement age by 2030. With an average of 1.5 children per woman, Canada has one of the lowest birth rates in the world.

Immigration is critical to maintaining a healthy economy and vital social services and healthcare for all Canadians, including permanent residents. Canada relies on immigrants to work and pay taxes to support an aging population. According to the government budget for 2022, healthcare spending has increased dramatically in the following years, reaching $56 billion in 2027.

recruitment Immigration is critical to maintaining a healthy economy and vital social services and healthcare for all Canadians, including permanent residents.

How does it act?

IRCC analyses data such as demographics, economic and labour force indicators, integration capability, worldwide situations, and processing capacity to stay up with the ever-changing needs of the labour market and close the workforce gap. The Immigration Levels Plan is built around finding that balance. The ultimate goal is to devise a strategy to strengthen Canada's economy, reunite families, and give humanitarian aid.

How does the IRCC evaluate the numbers?

Economic Immigration will account for 57 percent of Canada's yearly immigration objective during the next three years. Each year, over 240,000 new permanent residents will arrive, with a target of 267,750 skilled employees arriving by 2024.

Almost 25% of new permanent residents will be recruited through family class sponsorship, which includes individuals sponsored by a relative already a permanent resident or citizen of Canada. Each year, around 100,000 people will arrive.

Refugees and humanitarian immigrants will make up the remaining 18 percent of new permanent residents. The plan calls for a population of little under 85,000 people by 2022, with a gradual decline through 2024.

Looking forward

The Immigration Levels Plan is usually issued once a year, but due to a delay caused by the most recent federal election, 2022 will have two plans. IRCC will release the new Immigration Levels Plan for 2023-2025 on November 1st.

Canada Permanent Resident application Fee to rise at end of April 2022

Permanent Resident application Fee

Canada Immigration Application Fees will undergo a major increase. Fees in Canada are usually lower than those in countries with similar immigration procedures, such as Australia, New Zealand, US & UK.

On April 30, Canada will raise all permanent residence applications fee.

The fee hikes will affect the economic, permit holder, family, and humanitarian categories.

Figure Out What is the Canada pr application fee

In 2020, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) raised permanent residence charges for the first time since 2002 to adjust for inflation. IRCC announced that it would raise fees every two years to keep up with inflation. All figures are in CAD.

Canada supports a cost-effective strategy for government program funding, in which the majority of costs are funded by those who use the services rather than taxpayers.

These fee hikes will keep Canada competitive and in line with fees imposed by other countries that receive immigrants.

In two years, fees are expected to rise by the corresponding Consumer Price Index rise, rounded toward the next C$5. In 2024, the federal government is likely to announce the next fee hike.

Our team at #SAABimmigration believes in the adage of #DoItOnceDoItRight and brings over 11 years of combined industry experience in successfully assisting clients on their Immigration journeys. Whether you want to renew your PR card or you have lost yours and want to apply for a new one reach out to us and discuss your case with a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC).

Reach us at +1 (877) 683-SAAB (7222) | hello@saabimmigration.ca or visit us at Www.Saabimmigration.Ca.

CANADA EMPLOYMENT RATE AT AN ALL-TIME HIGH

The latest data on the labour market in Canada released by Statistics Canada show that the Canada employment rate for recent immigrants is at an all-time high! 

Overall, unemployment in Canada declined 0.2 percentage points to 5.3 percent, the lowest level since comparable records began in 1976. Statistics Canada measures the unemployment rate as a percentage of the labour force. Provinces relaxed public health regulations throughout the reference week. 

“With the unemployment rate at such a low level, practically every industry is experiencing labour shortages, including those in the hospitality business that has yet to recover fully,” says Nathan Janzen, Assistant Chief Economist at RBC Economics. 

In March, total employment in Canada increased by 73,000, owing to increases in full-time jobs. Since September 2021, employment growth has surpassed population growth. Since September, when Canada’s employment began to recover from the pandemic, employment has increased by 2.4 percent, compared to 0.8 percent for the population aged 15 and up. 

The slow pace of population increase, along with numerous job vacancies and rapid employment growth, will almost certainly be used to justify allowing foreign workers to enter the country more easily. Opening the door to international talent is one method to mitigate downward labour market pressure.

This year, Canada plans to admit a new record number of permanent immigrants. Canada aims to welcome 431,645 newcomers in 2022, according to the Canada Immigration Plan 2022-2024.

Why do people want to immigrate to Canada?

Why do people want to immigrate to Canada

Canada is an amazing place for new immigrants! Check out our article on why do people want to immigrate to Canada?

Canada – A great place for immigrants and an excellent destination for those seeking new experiences, adventures, education, and, a better quality of life. Canada is the most favored immigration destination in the world for various reasons.

Earlier this month, Canada announced that all candidates would be able to participate in the Express Entry draws again starting in early July.

The announcement will allow more immigrants from other nations to realize their dream of settling in Canada. The information is welcome since Express Entry is the federal government’s primary method of admitting skilled immigrants.

The Anholt-Ipsos Nation Brands Index for 2021 declared Canada, the place of desire by Immigrants. People from the world over come to Canada, hopeful of a better life – political stability, career opportunity, and the future of the next generation.

There are many reasons for Canada being such a great place for immigration, so read on to find out more and discover why people migrate to the north.

Employment

The pandemic has worsened the long-standing labour shortages in Canada on account of the sealing of borders. While the situation has caused unemployment to hit its all-time low, the employment vacancy rates are at an all-time high. Canada reported over 900,000 open positions recently.

Even with a tight labour market, Canada’s economy rebounded by the end of 2021 and grew from its pre-pandemic state. According to CBC, Canada’s GDP rose 6.7% on an annual basis in the fourth quarter, beating analysts’ predictions of 6.5%.

Stable government

Canada is a democratically stable country. It was placed fifth on the world democracy index by the Economist Intelligence Unit in 2020, ahead of other North American countries.

In its Best Countries survey last year, U.S. News ranked Canada first. Canada received the highest score in the report’s Quality of Life and Social Purpose categories.

Security

Canada is considered one of the world’s safest destinations. According to the Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection 2022 study, Canada is the third safest country in the world, with Montreal, Canada’s capital, ranking first. These conclusions were arrived at by combining survey results with statistics on risk, crime, and climate resilience, among other things.

Free medical attention

Citizens and permanent residents of Canada benefit from free health care. Each province and territory has its health plan, including various products and services. Newcomers can apply for and receive a health card through their province’s health insurance system. Because of the public healthcare system, most medical and emergency services are free to Canadians.

Excellent education

Immigrant students in Canada reported greater reading levels than non-immigrant students, according to an OECD assessment on literacy rates. In addition, compared to other OECD countries, Canadian pupils excelled in reading.

Canada has a wide selection of educational institutions and colleges. The Times Higher Education declared the University of Toronto, McMaster University, and McGill University among the top 100 universities globally.

Multicultural

The Canadian Multiculturalism Law was passed in 1988. It was one of the world’s first types, upholding the federal government’s commitment to creating a diverse society.

People from more than 200 nations and diverse races, religions, and cultures now call Canada home.

There are over 100 immigration programs.

For economic-class immigrants alone, Canada has over 100 programs.

Canada will begin accepting applications for its main immigration programs in July. The Express Entry system is in charge of managing these programs. Those who qualify for Express Entry are placed in a pool of applicants and given a rating based on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). Candidates with the highest scores will be able to apply for permanent residence in Canada.

Entering the Express Entry pool is free. It gives you the chance to apply for Canadian immigration and offers you the opportunity to get a provincial nomination through an improved Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). Because the nomination comes with 600 CRS points, those who obtain it are virtually entitled to obtain an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence.

Immigrant settlement assistance

Immigrants in Canada receive assistance with their settling from the moment they arrive. More than CAD 1.7 billion is spent on settlement services to aid newcomers every year than in any other country.

Our team at #SAABimmigration believes in the adage of #DoItOnceDoItRight and brings over 11 years of combined industry experience in successfully assisting clients on their Immigration journeys. Find out what’s happening in Canadian immigration, ask questions and get advice on the Canadian visa process

Visit Saabimmigration to discover your Canadian immigration options. Reach us at +1 (877) 683-SAAB (7222) | hello@saabimmigration.ca

Canada Tech Group Wants New Visa for hiring skilled foreign workers

Hiring skilled foreign workers

The Council of Canadian Innovators (CCI) urges Canada to create a High Potential Tech Visa that would allow in-demand individuals to gain permanent resident status without a job offer.

Canadian tech companies are hiring skilled foreign workers, but they can’t find enough skilled immigrants in Canada to fill the jobs. The government should create a new visa for these workers.

This demand from the Council of Canadian Innovators for a new visa to allow high-skilled tech professionals to come to Canada without a job offer is in response to the labor shortages in the sector.

The CCI recently announced its Talent and Skills Strategy, including 13 essential policy suggestions to help policymakers support Canada’s expanding tech sector.

The proposed ” High Potential Tech Visa” will target in-demand sectors such as software developers and data scientists. Holders of this Visa would be able to work, switch jobs, and apply for permanent residency in Canada.

Most people seeking work visas in Canada must have a job offer to be qualified. According to the CCI’s Talent and Skills Strategy report, this requirement is a roadblock for highly skilled workers who wish to work in Canada. According to the analysis, allowing software engineers, data scientists, and other experts in high-demand occupations to enter Canada to look for work would increase their chances of finding a job.

Furthermore, the pandemic has increased the prevalence of remote work. As a result, CCI suggests the Canadian government should collaborate with the private sector on a trial program to allow highly skilled foreign workers to come to Canada without a job offer.

CCI’s suggestion for the new visa takes its inspiration from a program proposed in the United Kingdom to allow software developers, engineers, and data scientists to enter the nation without having a job offer.

The proposed tech visa would complement the current Global Skills Strategy, which aims to process work permit applications for in-demand jobs in as short a duration as two weeks. On the other hand, the CCI proposes a visa processing period of 48 hours for this scheme.

Our team at #SAABimmigration believes in the adage of #DoItOnceDoItRight and brings over 11 years of combined industry experience in successfully assisting clients on their Immigration journeys.

Find out what’s happening in Canadian immigration, ask questions, and get advice on the Canadian visa process.

Reach us at +1 (877) 683-SAAB (7222) | hello@saabimmigration.ca or visit us at Www.Saabimmigration.Ca.

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