COVID-19 pandemic has adversely affected all the aspects of Canada’s Economy including the increase in labour shortage. IRCC acknowledges the importance of the skilled immigrants to the Canada’s economy. IRCC has not forgotten that many skilled workers are at the verge of loosing their status as they are unable to apply bridging open work permit, and awaiting since long for their Express Entry ITA’s. IRCC announces great immigration news to keep Canada as immigrant’s first country of choice.
April 22, 2022 – Good Times have arrived.
IRCC will resume Express Entry rounds of invitation in early July: The express entry invitations will now be resumed in the first half of July for FSWP, CEC, and FSTP. Following all the lockdowns and travel restrictions and in order to manage the backlog of applications, IRCC had to temporarily pause the issuance of invitations to Express Entry in all three categories – Federal Skilled Workers Class, Canadian Experience Class and Federal Skilled Trades Class.
Temporary Public Policy to help International Graduates to maintain their legal status in Canada – This Policy is to give a chance to international graduates to extend their post-graduation work permit for up to 18 months if their PGWP is expiring anytime between January and December 2022. Further announcements about the procedure are yet to be confirmed by IRCC.
Temporary Public Policy for visitors to apply Work Permit inside Canada receives an extension – Back in August 2020, IRCC announced a public policy allowing visitors to apply for an LMIA based work permit from within Canada (without having to leave Canada physically) . That Policy has now been extended till February 28, 2023.
Policy Changes in TR To PR Applications – These changes are for the ones who submitted PR application is TR to PR pathway:
- There is now no need to be in Canada while IRCC processes your PR application. The applicants can now go and visit their loved ones in their home countries.
- Applicants who apply for open work permit while they wait for their PR confirmation will now be given an Open Work Permit with validity until the end of 2024.
- Immediate family members who are outside Canada and were already included in the PR application by the principal applicants will be eligible to apply Open Work Permit so they can reunite with their families.
