published on 20 September 2024 @ 1:55 pm · COMMENT

Out-of-Status Construction Workers in the GTA Eligible to Apply for Permanent Residence until December 31, 2024

In January 2, 2020, a temporary public policy was put in place to regularize the status of foreign national construction workers currently employed in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) by creating a pathway for such workers to directly apply for permanent residence and a work permit. This policy, which had previously expired, has now been extended to December 31, 2024, or until 1,000 total applications are approved.

To qualify for permanent residence under this temporary public policy, applicants must obtain a referral letter from the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) confirming that the individual is working without authorization in the construction industry in the GTA and has accumulated three years of full-time work experience in the construction industry in the GTA. They must also have legally entered Canada as a temporary resident, have continuously resided in Canada for at least five years, and have a family member living in Canada who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. And applicant that qualifies for permanent residence under this policy is also eligible for a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) and a work permit, enabling them to regularize their status as a worker while their permanent residence is in process.

The intention of this public policy to recognize the economic contributions of foreign national construction workers who have been filling a regional labour market need in the GTA, while at the same time addressing the vulnerability of these workers due to their lack of immigration status. Allowing these workers to obtain work permits and permanent residence should allow them to benefit from worker protections by giving them more confidence in exercising their employment rights and speaking up about employer misconduct.

filed under: IMMIGRATIONPERMANENT RESIDENCE