Maple News reports that Canada’s temporary immigration program for English-speaking essential workers in non-healthcare jobs has officially reached its intake cap, closing on July 16 after accepting 30,000 applicants. This stream, part of a broader initiative to transition temporary residents to permanent status, is the second of six pathways to complete intake since the initiative launched in early May 2021.
The first program to reach its cap was the stream for international graduates, which filled all 40,000 spaces within just 25 hours of opening. The now-closed essential worker stream was open for over two months, reflecting both high demand and targeted outreach by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
These temporary-to-permanent pathways were introduced to provide immigration options to workers and graduates already living in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic. They form part of Canada’s goal to admit 401,000 new permanent residents in 2021, with up to 90,000 spaces allocated through this TR-to-PR initiative alone. IRCC plans to process approximately 40,000 of these applications before the year ends.
Other streams under the initiative remain open, including the healthcare stream for essential workers, which has a quota of 20,000 but had only received about 2,600 applications as of July 16. Streams aimed at French-speaking applicants—covering both essential workers and international graduates—have no intake limits and continue to accept submissions.
In a related development, Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino recently announced a new open work permit for applicants who have submitted under these streams. Starting July 26, 2021, this bridging permit will allow eligible individuals to continue working in Canada while waiting for the outcome of their permanent residence applications.
This move underscores Canada’s continued emphasis on retaining talent already present within its borders and alleviating the disruptions caused by global travel restrictions. By prioritizing in-Canada applicants, IRCC aims to maintain momentum toward its ambitious immigration targets.
According to Maple News, the TR-to-PR programs represent a unique shift in Canada’s immigration landscape—focusing on integration and stability for those who have contributed to the country’s essential sectors throughout the pandemic.