Maple News reports that Canada is introducing six new immigration streams aimed at offering permanent residency (PR) to essential workers, recent international graduates, and French-speaking residents already living in the country on temporary status. These programs, announced by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), began accepting applications on May 6 and are available for a limited time or until intake caps are met.
In total, the federal government will open doors for up to 90,000 new permanent residents under three capped streams: 40,000 spots for international student graduates from Canadian post-secondary institutions; 30,000 spots for essential workers in sectors outside of healthcare; and 20,000 places for healthcare professionals. Additionally, three French-speaking streams have no intake limits, encouraging more Francophone immigration outside of Quebec.
These programs are part of Canada’s effort to retain key temporary residents while also addressing pandemic-related labor shortages. The initiatives apply to those intending to settle in any province or territory except Quebec, which has exclusive authority over its own immigration policies.
Eligible applicants must be currently employed in Canada and meet other standard criteria, such as admissibility requirements related to health and criminal background checks. Importantly, individuals can include eligible family members in their applications, regardless of their current location.
For international student graduates, eligibility includes completing a post-secondary diploma or degree from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) after January 2017, along with current employment in the country. However, self-employment does not qualify under the new PR pathways.
The essential worker categories cover a wide range of qualified occupations. There are 40 listed health-related jobs, as well as 95 other eligible roles in fields including agriculture, construction, retail, and more. Given the current labor demands, Canada aims to speed up integration of these vital workers into permanent residency status.
French-speaking candidates benefit from uncapped streams across all three categories: international students, healthcare workers, and workers in other essential roles. This aligns with Canada’s broader goal of promoting French language and culture outside Quebec.
These new immigration pathways reflect Canada’s strategic pivot to recognize the contributions of temporary residents during the COVID-19 pandemic. By transitioning those already contributing to the economy into permanent residents, the government hopes to reinforce its long-term economic recovery and demographic growth strategies.
Maple News will continue to provide updates as application windows move toward their deadlines or fill up.