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.