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.

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