published on 3 March 2022 @ 1:49 pm · COMMENT
Immigration Update
New Travel Measures Allow for More Facilitative Entry to Canada
As of February 28, 2022, Canada has amended some travel measures allowing for greater ease of entry for vaccinated travellers.
Antigen tests taken the day prior to travel may now be used as pre-entry tests, or travellers may continue to use molecular tests taken within 72 hours of travel. The antigen test must be administered or observed by a pharmacy, laboratory, healthcare entity or telehealth service. Accepted antigen tests include rapid antigen tests, viral antigen tests, diagnostic immunoassay, and lateral flow tests. Both antigen and molecular tests must be administered outside of Canada.
Travellers entering Canada will continue to be randomly selected for testing upon arrival into Canada, however, travellers will not need to quarantine while awaiting results.
Unvaccinated children under the age of 12 travelling with fully vaccinated parents are no longer required to limit their activities during the 14 days post arrival.
Unvaccinated travellers continue to face the same travel measures as previously imposed, including restrictions on entering Canada for discretionary reasons, and the requirement to quarantine.
Extension of Policy Allowing Visitors to Apply for Work Permit In Canada
Until February 28, 2023, certain foreign nationals with valid temporary residence status can apply for employer-specific work permits from inside of Canada, and eligible foreign workers may work while a decision on their case is pending.
A foreign national is eligible to apply for a work permit from inside Canada if: the foreign national holds valid visitor status, including maintained status; they submit an employer specific work permit application on or before February 28, 2023; and they remain in Canada while the application is processing.
After submitting an application for a work permit, the foreign national is eligible to apply for authorization to work while a decision is being made on their work permit, if: the foreign national holds valid status throughout the duration of the application process; they have held a work permit in the year prior to submitting their new work permit application; they intend to work in the position they applied for; and they follow a specific procedure in order to request this interim authorization to work .
Additionally, this policy allows work permits to be issued to eligible foreign nationals, even if they have not compiled with certain conditions for their temporary stay in Canada.
Express Entry Update: Provincial Nominee Draw
On March 2, 2022, Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued a new round of invitations to apply for permanent residence under the Provincial Nominee Class. The minimum score selected was 761, and 1,047 candidates were invited to apply.
To qualify for selection under the Provincial Nominee Class, candidates must have received a nomination certificate from a Canadian province or territory. Each province has its own set of immigration programs through which candidates can apply for nomination. Candidates who receive a provincial or territorial nomination certificate can be awarded 600 additional points under the federal Express Entry system.
As of this time, only Provincial Nominee Class candidates have been invited to apply. The most recent draw held under the Canadian Experience Class was on September 14, 2021, and the most recent all-program draw was held on December 23, 2020.
filed under: IMMIGRATIONPERMANENT RESIDENCE