Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has published the official application guide for six new permanent residency (PR) pathways targeted at essential workers and international graduates. These limited-time streams will open for applications on May 6 at 12 p.m. EST and will close on November 5, 2021, or sooner if the intake caps are reached.
The new PR programs were introduced to help Canada reach its ambitious 2021 immigration target of 401,000 newcomers by focusing on individuals already residing in the country. These include temporary residents working in essential occupations and recent international graduates from Canadian institutions. The IRCC’s goal is to facilitate a smoother transition to permanent status for those who have contributed significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
There are three capped streams: 20,000 spots for healthcare sector workers, 30,000 for other essential workers, and 40,000 for recent graduates. An additional three streams are dedicated to French-speaking applicants and do not have intake limits, reflecting Canada’s commitment to boosting bilingual immigration outside Quebec.
To qualify, applicants must be employed in Canada at the time of application and submit a fully completed online application with all supporting documentation, including language test results and proof of eligibility. While self-employment does not count, applicants may hold any type of job upon applying, provided their prior work experience aligns with the eligible criteria.
Applicants will enter the PR pool on a first come, first served basis. IRCC has clarified that those living in Quebec can still apply under these streams if they can show an intent to settle in another province. Individuals may apply to more than one stream but must pay separate fees for each application.
The application portal will include a document checklist and a straightforward interface, replacing traditional signatures with attestation except on the Use of a Representative form. All forms must be filled digitally and include 2D barcodes for validation. Biometrics will be required unless exempted under current COVID-19 measures.
Key forms include the Generic Application Form (IMM 0008), Schedule A (IMM 5669), Schedule 3 (IMM 0130), and additional family and travel information, among others. IRCC advises applicants to download the latest forms using Adobe Reader and follow detailed guidelines to avoid delays.
For international graduates, a Canadian credential and a minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) or NCLC score of 5 are necessary. For essential workers, a CLB or NCLC score of 4 is required. Healthcare worker stream applicants must also have at least one year of experience in a qualifying health-related occupation.
The launch of these new PR pathways provides a critical opportunity for thousands of temporary residents in Canada to achieve permanent status, supporting both the country’s economic recovery and long-term population growth goals.