Canada is still increasing immigration despite Covid-19 effects.
Immigration is considered the backbone of the Canadian economy. It has continuously benefited from immigrants from all streams such as students, temporary visa holders, or highly qualified professionals during the last decades. Out of the 38 million Canadian population, 22% are immigrants.
On 5 May, the Canadian immigration minister also shared his thoughts with the Canadian Bar Association’s Immigration Law Section. He confirmed that Canada will remain open to immigrants even after Covid-19 pandemic. He assured to decrease the barriers for the temporary foreign workers, especially in-demand sectors. Good news will also be announced soon for the international students for September intake.
Canada has gradually been increasing number of immigrants. Canada has been averaging almost 260,000 immigrants till 2016 but afterwards, it decided to make it to about 300,000 minimum a year. Even after Covid-19 effects, Canada has made sure to reach its targeted 340,000 immigrants this year.
Canada distributes its immigration quota with 58%of its immigrants to arrive under the economic class, 27% through the family class, and 15% for refugee and other humanitarian grounds.
International students play a key role in the economy of Canda. Annually, about $22 Billion are contributed alone by international students which also creates 170,000 jobs in different sectors.
Covid-19 pandemic affected the immigration system considerably but the Candian government still tried to issue invitations for the economy class. Alone in April, Canada issued 11,700 invitations to apply for permanent residence under its federal Express Entry application management system. In March 7,800 invitations were issued. On the other hand, in February 8,000 invitations were issued. The best of all that Canada’s provinces continue to provide permanent resident pathways for immigration candidates during this period.
What other steps did Canada take after Covid-19 pandemic?
Work visas
Canada will keep on processing work visa applications for temporary foreign workers. Special priority will be given to those of essential services streams such as food supply chain, farming, health, and medicines. Ease has also been announced LMIA reports for the following 10 occupations:
- General Farm Workers (NOC 8431)
- Industrial butchers and meat cutters, poultry preparers and related workers (NOC 9462)
- Transport Truck Drivers (NOC 7511)
- Agricultural service contractors, farm supervisors and specialized livestock workers (NOC 8252)
- Harvesting labourers (NOC 8611)
- Fish and seafood plant workers (NOC 9463)
- Butchers, meat cutters and fishmongers-retail and wholesale (NOC 6331)
- Nursery and Greenhouse Workers (NOC 8432)
- Labourers in fish and seafood processing (NOC 9618)
- Labourers in food, beverage and associated products processing (NOC 9617)
Study permits
Study permits will also be processed for the upcoming terms to its maximum extent according to IRCC. A student who has got a study permit before 18 March 2020 will still be able to come to Canada.
Temporary visitor’s visa
A temporary visitor’s visa application has been set aside as no essential. Until further updates, no such applications will be processed. This suspension also applies to some electronic travel authorization (eTA) applications.
Permanent residency
Permanent residency applications will be kept on processing. All permanent residency status holders will be able to come to Canda who got it before 18 March 2020. Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for Canadian permanent residence were issued to Canadian Experience Class (CEC) program candidates with Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores as low as 455 on April 16, 2020. Further on, PR applications will be processed as usual.
Bio-Metrics updates
All applicants receiving the Bio-Metrics requirement will be able to submit it in 90 days instead of 30 days.