​Canada Announces Six New Immigration Programs

Starting May 6, 2021, Canada will open new immigration pathways to permanent residence to essential workers, international students and French speakers who are already in Canada.

The new programs will only be open from May 6, 2021, until November 5, 2021, with 90,000 spots for international student graduates and essential workers.

For the essential works stream, there is a list of 40 eligible healthcare occupations, plus an additional 95 occupations for other professions deemed essential across a range of industries such as agriculture (farming), construction and sales.

Applicants can also include their family members as long as they meet the eligibility criteria and are admissible to Canada, whether they are already in Canada or not.

Below is a brief overview of the criteria for each of the programs:

International Student Graduates

• You need to have graduated from a post-secondary Designated Learning Institution (DLI) after January 2017, and before you submit your application for permanent residence
• You must be working at the time of your application and cannot be self-employed
• You can complete your education at a DLI in Quebec but must live in any other province at the time of your application
• Take a Language Proficiency Test and achieve a minimum language score (Canadian Language Benchmark) of five in English or French

Essential Workers in Healthcare

• Be currently employed in Canada in one of the 40 eligible occupations (see the Eligible Occupations List below)
• You must have one year of full-time Canadian work experience in the last three years before the application date
• You cannot be self-employed unless you are a medical doctor or a fee-for-service with a health authority
• Take a Language Proficiency Test and achieve a minimum language score (Canadian Language Benchmark) of four in English or French.
• You plan to live in any Canadian province or territory in Canada other than Quebec

Essential Workers in other Occupations

• Be currently employed in Canada
• You must have one year of full-time Canadian work experience in the last three years before the application date
• Have a job offer in one of the 95 eligible occupations (see the Eligible Occupations List below)
• You cannot be self-employed
• Take a Language Proficiency Test and achieve a minimum language score (Canadian Language Benchmark) of four in English or French.
• You plan to live in any Canadian province or territory in Canada other than Quebec

French Speaking International Student Graduates

• Be currently employed in Canada at the time of your application
• You need to have already graduated from a DLI at the post-secondary level after January 2017
• The program you graduated from must meet the eligibility criteria
• Take a French language proficiency test and achieve a minimum language score (Canadian Language Benchmark) of five in French.
• You plan to live in any Canadian province or territory in Canada other than Quebec

French Speaking Essential Workers in Healthcare

• Be currently employed in Canada in one of the 40 eligible occupations (see the attached Eligible Occupations List)
• You must have one year of full-time Canadian work experience in the last three years before the application date
• You cannot be self-employed unless you are a medical doctor or a fee-for-service with a health authority
• Take a French language proficiency test and achieve a minimum language score (Canadian Language Benchmark) of five in French
• You plan to live in any Canadian province or territory in Canada other than Quebec

French Speaking Essential Workers in Other Occupations

• Be currently employed in Canada
• You must have one year of full-time Canadian work experience in the last three years before the application date
• Have a job offer in one of the 95 eligible occupations (see the attached Eligible Occupations List)
• You cannot be self-employed
• Take a French language proficiency test and achieve a minimum language score (Canadian Language Benchmark) of five in French
• You plan to live in any Canadian province or territory in Canada other than Quebec

To find out if you qualify for this exciting new permanent residency initiative, contact FH&P Lawyers today as there is only a limited time to apply. Click HERE to book a consultation or call Carly Perryman at 250-980-2305 or email imm@fhplawyers.com.

Permanent Residency Stream for Essential Workers – Special Program 2021

Eligible Health-Related Occupations

Eligible health care occupations include all broad occupational category 3 occupations (Health occupations) from the National Occupational Classification (NOC) with the exception of Veterinarians (NOC 3114) and Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians (NOC 3213). Five occupations from broad occupational category 4 (Occupations in education, law and social, community and government services) are also eligible occupations.

Eligible Occupations:

NOC Occupation

• 3011 Nursing co-ordinators and supervisors
• 3012 Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses
• 3111 Specialist physicians
• 3112 General practitioners and family physicians
• 3113 Dentists
• 3121 Optometrists
• 3122 Chiropractors
• 3124 Allied primary health practitioners
• 3125 Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating
• 3131 Pharmacists
• 3132 Dietitians and nutritionists
• 3141 Audiologists and speech-language pathologists
• 3142 Physiotherapists
• 3143 Occupational therapists
• 3144 Other professional occupations in therapy and assessment
• 3211 Medical laboratory technologists
• 3212 Medical laboratory technicians and pathologists' assistants
• 3214 Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists
• 3215 Medical radiation technologists
• 3216 Medical sonographers
• 3217 Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists, n.e.c.
• 3219 Other medical technologists and technicians (except dental health)
• 3221 Denturists
• 3222 Dental hygienists and dental therapists
• 3223 Dental technologists, technicians and laboratory assistants
• 3231 Opticians
• 3232 Practitioners of natural healing
• 3233 Licensed practical nurses
• 3234 Paramedical occupations
• 3236 Massage therapists
• 3237 Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment
• 3411 Dental assistants
• 3413 Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates
• 3414 Other assisting occupations in support of health services
• 4151 Psychologists
• 4152 Social workers
• 4153 Family, marriage and other related counsellors
• 4165 Health policy researchers, consultants and program officers
• 4212 Social and community service workers
• 4412 Home support workers, housekeepers and related occupations

ANNEX B – Other Eligible Essential Occupations CLICK HERE