Chances of International students, foreign workers, and asylum seekers who are already in Canada have increased to get permanent residence application approval.

Canada has planned to offer more routes for permanent residence to abroad residents who are staying with a temporary resident visa.

With the announcement of 400,000 immigration application approvals in the coming three years, Immigration minister Mr. Marco Mendicino told Bloomberg. that the federal government will make an announcement on this soon.

Why such changes are needed?

Mr. Mendicino said “it is important for Canada to identify how it can accelerate pathways to permanent residence for international students, temporary foreign workers, and asylum seekers already in the country. This is necessary to alleviate the economic challenges Canada is currently facing in part due to lower immigration levels caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.”

During the lockdown and closure of the international border have affected the immigration streams of Canada and because of that Canada’s immigration levels have slowed population, labour force, and economic growth.

Applications of permanent and temporary residents both have dropped this year which is noticeable from the statistical report. The report shows that in 2019 more than 190,000 temporary residents entered the country yet the first half of 2020 has seen that number decrease to 18,221. Permanent resident numbers are down 60 per cent year-over-year according to government data from August.

The target of Canada to settle the fall short of 2020 immigration

From the pace of immigration application approvals, it is visible that 200,000 or so permanent residents will get approval this year but that is too less than the 341,000 it targeted prior to the coronavirus pandemic.

Canada’s population is slower than other countries and such a pandemic negatively affected the growth. This year the population growth has been affected by 0.1% in the second quarter. Canada’s population usually grows by over one per cent per year.

The immigration minister told Bloomberg that, “Making temporary residents permanent will address Canada’s short-term needs to respond to coronavirus. It will help address Canada’s long-term demographic challenges, which include an aging population and low birth rate” He added.

Such statements declare that more gaps in the labour market will be created with the older population retirements. Because of the low birth rate, Canada will need the help of immigration streams to overcome the population growth issues and need to ensure that open positions in the labour force are filled.

“The government will look at the foreign talent that is already in Canada in order to find the asylum seekers, students, and workers who have the skills that align with essential services in the economy,” Mr. Mendicino told Bloomberg.

“Students from other countries are ‘particularly attractive’ as potential counter forces to the effects of an aging population. Because of this, the government is making it easier for them to work in Canada.” He added.

To justify the statement Mr. Mendicino explained with an example that,

“Canada is allowing online study at a Canadian designated learning institution between May 2020 and April 2021 to count towards future Post Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) eligibility. The PGWP is coveted among international students because it enables them to gain the Canadian work experience they often need to be eligible for a range of economic class immigration programs.”

These programs include Express Entry’s Canadian Experience Class, the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), and the Quebec Experience Program.

Canada has also recently opened up its borders to students who are enrolled in classes at post-secondary that have coronavirus readiness plans

Now Canada will process spousal sponsorship applications within 12 months. Canada has aimed to expedite 6,000 spousal sponsorship applications a month till the end of 2020.

Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) made this major announcement in late-September and it shows the path to bring your loved ones together as faster as it can amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Initially, Canada’s target was to add 70,000 new immigrants a year under the spousal, partner, and children family class immigration category.

But recently Canada announced a new  2021-2023 Immigration Levels Plan  that shown the addition of 10,000 more application approvals. Ultimately, Canada has aimed to welcome nearly 80,000 new immigrants a year under the spousal, partner, and children family class immigration category.

Most of these immigrants will arrive under spousal sponsorship 

Who are eligible under the program & who can sponsor their partners to migrate to Canada?

The citizens and permanent residents of Canada can sponsor their partners to obtain permanent residence. The sponsor & applicant must show IRCC that their relationship falls under one of these three categories:

• Spouse
• Common-law partner
• Conjugal partner

Applicants must be at least 18 years old and prove that they are not getting any social assistance for a reason other than a disability, and can demonstrate you are able to financially provide for the basic needs of your partner. The sponsor will also have to show the plan and prove how they will live in Canada with the sponsored person.

Eligibility criteria of partners:

The person you are sponsoring needs to meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Spouse: They must be legally married to you and at least 18 years old.
• Common-law partner: They must be at least 18 years old and have lived with you for at least 12 straight months.
• Conjugal partner: They must be at least 18 years old, have been in a relationship with you for at least one year, live outside of Canada, and cannot live with you in their country or marry you due to significant legal or immigration causes. For example, they live in a country where same-sex marriage or divorce is not allowed. You need to prove to IRCC you could not live together or get married in your partner’s country.

How to submit a sponsorship application

IRCC asks you to submit two applications together. One is for sponsorship and the other is a permanent residence application.

• Step 1: Obtain an application package from IRCC.
• Step 2: Pay your application fees to IRCC which tend to include processing fees, right of permanent residence fee, and biometrics fee. You need to pay these fees on IRCC’s website.
• Step 3: Mail your completed application to IRCC.

IRCC’s processing standard is 12 months

As a part of Canada’s efforts to reduce the spread of COVID-19, the travelers are required to provide the information upon and after entry to Canada. That includes the quarantine plan and contact and travel information. Canada has introduced ArriveCAN in April 2020 to create a secure and user-friendly way to help travelers to comply with the border measures. ArriveCAN is available as a mobile app or by singing in online.

•  Canada has announced new mandatory requirements for travelers to Canada.

 Pre-arrival to Canada:

From November 21, the travelers whose final destination is Canada will be required to submit their information electronically through ArriveCAN before boarding their flight. It includes the travel and contact information, quarantine plans (unless exempted under the conditions se out in the Mandatory Isolation Order), and COVID-19 symptoms self-assessment. Travelers must show their ArriveCAN receipt on entry where a border service officer will verify that they have submitted the information digitally. If traveler fails to submit information before boarding flight, it may be subject to enforcement action, which can range from verbal warning to $1000 fine. Exceptions will be made for those who are unable to submit the documents electronically due to personal circumstances, such as disability or inadequate infrastructure.

Post-entry to Canada:

From November 21, 2020, the travelers entering Canada by air, land or marine ways will be required to submit their information through ArriveCAN or by calling the 1-833-641-0343 toll-free number during their quarantine or isolation period, unless they are exempted under conditions set out in Mandatory Isolation Order. Within 48 hours of entering Canada, travelers must confirm that they have arrived at their place of quarantine or isolation and those in quarantine must complete a daily COVID-19 symptom self-assessment during their quarantine period.

• Travelers who do not submit the mandatory information required after they have crossed the border will be considered a high priority for follow-up by law enforcement.

This new step will help government receive the information in organized way and they can contact the travelers for public health follow-up in easier way. Submitting the information digitally will help travelers to reduce the processing time at borders and limit the physical contacts. This will protect the health and safety of travelers and officers