Canada: Latest immigration updates
The immigration authorities in Canada have recently announced a series of changes and updates that applicants should be aware of.
New temporary public policy to benefit Hong Kong permanent residence applicants
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced that a new public policy will be launched in the coming weeks to let Hong Kong permanent residence pathway applicants extend their status and get a new open work permit in Canada while they wait for a decision on their permanent residence applications.
Starting 27 May 2024, open work permits will be available to those who both:
- Applied for permanent residence under Stream A (in-Canada graduates) or Stream B (Canadian work experience) of the temporary public policy for Hong Kong residents in Canada, and
- held a work or study permit in the three years before their application for permanent residence was received.
The new public policy will remain in place for five years so that applicants can extend their temporary status in Canada while the processing of their permanent residence application continues.
Those with temporary status in Canada, or their guardians, are responsible for renewing their status as needed. A foreign national who submits an application to extend their work or study permit in Canada before their current permit expires continues to have legal status until a decision is taken on their extension application. This is called “maintained status”.
If an applicant’s temporary status expired in the 90 days before applying for a new open work permit, they can apply under this public policy and restore their status at the same time. If their temporary status expired more than 90 days before they try to apply for this new open work permit, their application will not be approved.
2024 Parents and Grandparents intake announced
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced that, starting 21 May 2024, invitations will be sent to potential sponsors to apply for their parents and grandparents to become permanent residents.
IRCC will send 35,700 invitations over the course of approximately two weeks to those who submitted an interest to sponsor form in 2020. The goal is to accept up to 20,500 complete applications for the 2024 intake.
For those who aren’t invited to apply as a sponsor, their parents and grandparents may be eligible to apply for a super visa which lets them stay in Canada for five years at a time, and to apply for two-year extensions once they are in Canada.
New measure to support skilled temporary workers in Manitoba
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has approved Manitoba’s request to extend temporary resident status for potential nominees identified under the province’s Provincial Nominee Program who have work permits that will expire in 2024. These individuals are mainly post-graduation work permit holders who are currently in the Manitoba Skilled Worker Provincial Nominee Program Expression of Interest pool.
This temporary measure will authorize 6700 temporary workers identified and supported by Manitoba to continue working while the province processes their applications for the Provincial Nominee Program. Within two years, it is expected that eligible foreign nationals will receive an official nomination from Manitoba and eventually become permanent residents.
While this measure applies to Manitoba, IRCC is open to exploring options with other provinces and territories to transition a greater portion of current temporary residents to permanent residence and address their labour market needs.
Canada immigration support
If you are looking to relocate to Canada and require support with the immigration process, Smith Stone Walters can help. To speak to a member of our global immigration team, please contact us today.
