published on 9 December 2020 @ 7:18 pm · COMMENT
Immigration Update
Expedited Permanent Residence For Refugee Health Care Workers
On December 14, 2020, Canadian Immigration will begin accepting applications for permanent residence from refugee claimants who work in Canada’s health-care sector and provide direct care to patients. Applications will be accepted from December 14, 2020 until August 31, 2021. In-Canada family members of the principal applicant can be included on the application. All applicants will be required to meet existing admissibility requirements, including those related to criminality, security and health.
Eligibility criteria includes:
- have claimed asylum before March 13, 2020;
- were issued a work permit after they made a claim for asylum;
- have worked in the health-care sector, in health institutions (for example, hospitals, long-term care homes, home care through an organization or agency, assisted living facilities);
- have worked in a designated occupation for no less than 120 hours between March 13, 2020 and August 14, 2020. The designated occupations that are included in this special measure are orderlies, nurses, nurses’ aides and patient service associates, assistant orderlies and certain home support workers;
- demonstrate 6 months of experience in the designated occupation before being granted permanent residence. Applicants will have until August 31, 2021 to acquire this experience;
- have a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ), if wishing to reside in Quebec.
This policy also applies to immediate family members of those involved in patient care that have lost their lives during the pandemic.
Express Entry Update
On December 9th, 2020, Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued a new round of invitations to apply for permanent residence under the Express Entry system.
A total of 5,000 candidates were invited to apply for permanent residence in today’s draw. The draw invited candidates who qualify under all Express Entry categories, including the Canadian Experience Class, Provincial Nominees, Federal Skilled Trades, and the Federal Skilled Worker Class. The minimum score selected was 469, the same minimum score as selected in the November 25th, 2020 draw.
This is the second consecutive draw in which the minimum score selected for Federal Skilled Worker candidates has been under 470. IRCC remains committed to welcoming an increased number of new permanent residents to Canada in the 2021 year.
filed under: IMMIGRATION NEWSPERMANENT RESIDENCE