Maple News reports that Canada is extending support to Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) applicants who lost job offers due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In recognition of the global health crisis’ impact on employment, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is offering these applicants an opportunity to maintain their path to permanent residency.
From September 17 to November 17, provinces and territories may request that certain PNP applications be placed on hold if the candidates lost their job as a result of the pandemic. This policy applies only to paper-based applications submitted before March 18, 2020.
Under this temporary measure, IRCC will hold eligible applications until March 17, 2021, or until the applicant secures a new job offer and receives renewed endorsement from the nominating province or territory—whichever comes first. This extension aims to ensure that disruptions caused by COVID-19 do not lead to automatic disqualification from the immigration process.
Provincial and territorial governments are responsible for notifying the candidates and submitting hold requests to IRCC. Once a nomination hold is confirmed, IRCC will contact the applicant directly via email with instructions on providing updated employment documentation. Notably, applicants should not contact IRCC directly on their own to request a hold—the request must come through their nominating jurisdiction.
The Provincial Nominee Program is a major pathway to Canadian permanent residency. Nearly every Canadian province and territory operates its own PNP streams tailored to meet their specific labour market and demographic needs. These programs target skilled workers, international graduates, semi-skilled labourers, and businesspeople who intend to settle and contribute to the regional economy.
There are two primary application routes for PNPs: a paper-based process and the online Express Entry system. The choice of stream determines the application approach. While Express Entry-linked PNPs are processed faster, paper-based applications like the ones supported by this new COVID-19 policy remain a key entry point for many candidates.
This temporary measure is an example of Canada’s adaptive and humane approach to immigration amid unpredictable global challenges. It provides affected applicants with a chance to regain employment and continue their journey toward permanent residency without penalty.
Maple News will continue to track changes to Canada’s immigration programs as they evolve in response to the ongoing pandemic.