Extended Deadline for the New PR Pathways for Temporary Residents

2.5 minute read

"The Canadian government may extend the deadline for the new PR Pathways introduced earlier this year on May 6, 2021. The new PR Pathways were introduced to offer temporary foreign workers in healthcare and other essential occupations and international graduates a chance to apply for Canadian permanent residence."

Written by My Visa Source Team
Published on: Nov 11, 2021

The Canadian government may extend the deadline for the new PR Pathways introduced earlier this year on May 6, 2021. The new PR Pathways were introduced to offer temporary foreign workers in healthcare and other essential occupations and international graduates a chance to apply for Canadian permanent residence. The government may also open these pathways to refugee claimants, Canada’s Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino informed in an interview on October 21, 2021.

What Are the New PR Pathways?

The following six new permanent residences (PR) pathways were introduced by the Canadian government on May 6, 2021:

The PR Pathways for French-speaking applicants do not have an application cap. However, the PR Pathway for non-French speaking applicants have the following visa cap:

20,000 applications for temporary foreign workers in healthcare
30,000 applications for temporary foreign workers in essential occupations
40,000 applications for eligible international graduates

The PR Pathway for Temporary Workers in Healthcare and Essential Non-Healthcare has a visa cap of 20,000 applicants. Until now, more than 14,000 spots in this stream remain unfilled ahead of its November 5 deadline.

Why Is the Deadline Being Extended?

Canada has set the Immigration Levels Plan for 2021-23 to invite more than 401,000 immigrants every year. Until August 31, around 70% or 222,275 new immigrants have been invited to apply for Canadian permanent residence by the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

However, certain Canadian industries have requested the government to increase visa caps for immigrant workers to address the growing labor shortages post-pandemic. The Quebec government also signed a deal with the federal government in August to increase the visa cap for temporary foreign workers in the province.

Ontario also wants more foreign workers. Post-pandemic, the Canadian economy needs more migrant workers. One way to go about this is to introduce new pathways for permanent residence for temporary residents already in Canada and to offer settlement and integration services to new immigrant arrivals to give them stability.

Giving temporary foreign workers the opportunity and ability to transition to permanent residence will strengthen the employer-employee relationship by creating a balance. Also, this way, workers will be less prone to exploitation due to their immigration status.

What Else Is Canada Doing for Temporary Foreign Workers?

Canada introduced a temporary open work permit for applicants to the new PR pathways. The new work permit will ensure that foreign workers in healthcare and other essential occupations can continue working while their permanent residence application is being processed.

You must meet the following requirements to qualify for this work permit:

Successfully apply for permanent residence under one of the new PR Pathways

Have a valid work permit or be authorized to work without a work permit

Have a valid work permit that is set to expire in 4 months

Have valid temporary resident status, maintained status, or be eligible to restore your status at the time of application

Be employed in any occupation at the time of submitting your permanent residence application

Demonstrate the required language proficiency