Maple News reports that, starting December 14, 2020, Canada officially launched two targeted immigration programs to allow certain asylum seekers—primarily those who provided direct health care during the COVID-19 pandemic—to apply for permanent residence.
These new temporary measures, first introduced by Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino in the summer, are designed to acknowledge the critical role that many asylum seekers played in supporting Canada’s overwhelmed healthcare system during the health crisis. The initiative has been divided into two streams: one for Quebec and one for asylum claimants residing in other Canadian provinces.
To be eligible, applicants must have delivered health-related services, primarily in roles such as orderlies, nurses, and support workers. In addition to meeting standard admissibility criteria related to security, health, and criminality, applicants can also include immediate family members already residing in Canada in their applications.
The programs will remain open for submissions until August 31, 2021. Notably, internship experience—whether paid or unpaid—will also be considered if it was a required part of a post-secondary program, professional training, or licensing requirement for a designated healthcare occupation.
In a compassionate expansion of the policy, the government has also included the spouses or common-law partners of asylum seekers who tragically died after contracting COVID-19 while working in the healthcare sector. These applicants may qualify provided their late partner was in Canada before August 14, 2020.
Applications must be submitted through the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website. All decisions will be based on the program’s eligibility requirements and overall admissibility.
Residents of Quebec follow a slightly different procedure due to the province’s unique immigration powers. Applicants must first receive federal approval before their case is transferred to Quebec’s Ministry of Immigration, Francisation and Integration (MIFI), which will assess their eligibility for the province’s tailored pathway. Successful candidates will receive a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ), allowing them to proceed to permanent resident status.
Quebec’s selection criteria remain distinct and require candidates to meet specific provincial requirements in addition to federal standards.
The new measures underscore Canada’s commitment to recognizing the exceptional contributions of frontline workers—regardless of immigration status—who risked their lives to support the nation during a global emergency.