The goal of any immigration is to respond to the country’s needs. Canada is no exception. The Canadian Government launched a wide slew of programs to let candidates who are eligible to contribute to the economy settle in the country. As of 2024, the economy has evolved in Canada and so has the need for newcomers from across the world. Thus, Canada is all set to strengthen temporary residence programs to support the current economic needs and labour market shortages.
IRCC Reduces Temporary Resident Arrivals
Canada announced that they would reduce the number of temporary residents arriving to 5% from 6.5% of their total population in the next three years. The announcement was made in March 2024.
Some measures to manage an optimum number of temporary residents:
Reforms on the International Student Program
The government set an intake cap on international student permit applications.
A letter of acceptance verification system has been introduced.
The financial requirements for applicants have also increased.
Stricter Eligibility Requirements for Temporary Foreign Workers
LMIAs for low-wage occupation categories will be valid for one year and confined to specific regions in Canada with high unemployment rates. Employers cannot hire more than 10% of their total workforce through the Temporary Work Permit Programs.
More Thorough LMIA Processing
The processing of LMIA applications got more rigorous from 26th September 2024. For instance, the Government will no longer approve LMIAs in the low-wage categories from specific regions. It is applicable in census metropolitan areas where the unemployment rate is 6% or higher.
This plan to reduce the number of temporary residents in 2024 is an informed response to the labour and economic needs of the country. This is applicable to temporary foreign workers and international students.
How Canada Plans to Manage the Number of Temporary Resident Arrivals?
Canada has always been keen on welcoming newcomers from all around the world. But, it needs to change its immigration policies according to the ongoing labour market needs.
The government has announced a further reduction in the intake cap on international study permit applications for 2025. They would reduce 10% of the 485,000 permits issued in 2024 and stabilize the intake cap for 2026. So, the number of study permits to be issued in 2025 would be 437,000.
The Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) will be updated to align with the current labour market needs and economic goals of the country.
Canada may restrict work permit eligibility for spouses of master's degree students whose academic programs are at least 16 months long.
Canada may also restrict work permit eligibility for spouses of foreign workers who belong to management occupations or in sectors with labour gaps.
The government wants to make sure the arrival of temporary residents does not affect the ones already living in the country. They made some additional changes to the temporary resident programs to ensure that the temporary residents eligible are supported adequately in the country.
How Does The Government Improve In-Canada Asylum System?
The number of asylum claims has increased with the increase in the number of displaced people all over the world. The displaced individuals may want to seek asylum in Canada for a specific period and hence contribute to the temporary resident volumes.
The Canadian Government is working on measures as mentioned below to improve the asylum system inside the country and help those in need.
Partial visa requirements for Mexican nationals
Exploring stringent measures to strengthen visa integrity
Making the system of processing asylum claims better
Reducing the number of non-genuine or ineligible visitors
The United States and Canada introduced an Additional Protocol to the Safe Third Country Agreement in March 2023. This ensured that only the most eligible individuals could be allowed to enter and live in the country.
Final Thoughts,
The refurbished immigration system confuses newcomers. But, it is also necessary for the country to keep upgrading its immigration policies and realign with the current economic and labour gaps. The significant reduction in temporary resident arrivals and restrictions on international student permit applications are all measures to streamline the Canadian immigration system and respond to the changing needs of the country better. You can get help from licensed immigration firms such as Onkar Immigration to keep yourself up-to-date with all norms and immigrate successfully.
IRCC announced that international students can work up to 24 hours a week off-campus. The temporary rule allowed the students to work more than 20 hours. It ended on 30th April 2024. This measure intends to allow students to focus primarily on their studies. The flexible work limits also, however, give them the option to work if necessary without compromising academics.
How Does the Change Impact Working International Students?
International students can no longer work for more than 20 hours or more per week off campus as was stated in the temporary policy. As per the latest news release by IRCC, eligible students can work up to 24 hours per week off campus.
This change of working hours ensures that the students get enough time to do their studies. However, you can continue working unlimited hours if you are on a scheduled academic break.
Why was the Change Important?
The government analyzed existing policies in other countries and the needs of students. Recent studies in the US and Canada showed how academic performances are affected when students work for more than 28 hours a week. Working for over 24 hours a week made the students more likely to drop out of the program.
According to their research, students’ academic grades go down as they continue working while studying. The less they work during this time, the better their results will be.
How Can International Students Work in Canada?
You can work in Canada as an international student if you have graduated from an eligible Canadian post-secondary institution. Working while studying gives you the chance to gain valuable Canadian work experience. You can work for up to 3 years after graduation if eligible.
You need a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) to be eligible for work in Canada.
Are you eligible for PGWP?
The eligibility criteria for PGWP are as follows:
You should have a valid study permit.
You should have completed a study program from a designated learning institution.
The program should lead to a diploma, certificate or degree and be at least 8 months long.
You have maintained your status as a ‘full-time’ student every semester of your study program.
You should graduate from either of the following:
Public post-secondary school
A private post-secondary school such as in Quebec follows the same policies as public schools in Quebec
Canadian private schools are eligible to award degrees under provincial law.
Private secondary and post-secondary Quebec schools with qualifying programs for over 900 hours.
You can apply for a work permit from overseas or inside Canada as long as you are eligible. However, you need to change your status to a ‘visitor’ if your study permit expires before you apply for the PGWP.
The entire processing of PGWP applications is quite daunting. Also, the frequent change of policies makes it more challenging. You can get help from immigration consultants like the ones at Onkar Immigration. From assessing your eligibility to processing the PGWP application, they can guide you through the entire process.
The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) allows Alberta to nominate eligible candidates for permanent residence (PR). Skilled entrepreneurs, students and workers can get PR in Canada if their occupation is in demand. All you have to do is meet the specific criteria of the program and you will be a step closer to becoming a permanent resident in Alberta.
The government has been making significant changes to the program since 2020. August 2024 is no exception. You should stay aware of the updates if you want to attain your PR through this program. This blog discusses all updates done to AAIP in August 2024. Let’s begin.
2-year open work permit from IRCC
(Temporary measure) (26th August, 2024)
Who is it for?
Alberta Opportunity Stream and Rural Renewal Stream nominee applicants
What is this update all about?
The government announced a temporary public policy through which specific candidates from the above streams will be eligible to seek a maximum 2-year, open work permit from IRCC. You cannot apply for this policy separately. The AAIP sends you a letter of support if they determine you are eligible. The letter of support enables the selected candidate to seek a 2-year extension on an existing work permit.
What is the eligibility criteria?
The above-mentioned candidates should meet the following criteria:
● You are waiting for the processing of your application to be completed as of 26th August 2024.
● You had a legit work permit with expiry dates from 7th May and 31st December 2024, at the time of application
● Your application was declined between 7th May and 26th August 2024 because your work permit expired in 2024.
You do not become eligible for this program update if your work permits expired. In that case, you need to show that the permit has maintained its status during the processing of your application. You can also determine your eligibility to restore the temporary resident status to receive the letter of support.
How does it benefit eligible candidates?
Eligible candidates can receive an open work permit valid for a maximum of 2 years. The added ‘two years’ allow the applicants to maintain their eligibility for PR and work at the same time. The nominee applicants will be able to enjoy their extended employment. However, their eligibility for a nomination will remain unknown until 2025.
The new temporary policy will help AAIP make significant decisions about work permits with specific expiration dates. Examples include work permits with expiry dates between 1st January 2024 and 6th May 2024 along with work permits that are expiring in early 2025.
Open work permit for those affected by Alberta wildfires
The government has brought forth this temporary special measure for those directly affected by recent wildfires. The AAIP will accept work permits that IRCC issued under the Alberta Opportunity and Tourism and Hospitality Streams.
Who is eligible?
You are eligible if the wildfires prevent you from working for your current employer and hence you need to convert the employer-specific work permit to an open work permit. In that case, AAIP will accept the work permit between 19th July 2024 and 30th November 2024.
The work permit requirements are not available in Rural Renewal or Express Entry streams. The Alberta Opportunity and Tourism and Hospitality Streams, however, can accept the work permit under these special measures.
A new expression of interest system
The AAIP will launch a new expression of interest system (EOI) on 30th September 2024. This update marks a significant shift from the previous monthly application process. The new system will allow continuous intake of EOIs. That means the eligible candidates can express their interest at any time instead of following specific application dates.
The new system puts candidates in a selection pool. IRCC will rank each candidate on the basis of skills, work experience and their potential to meet the labour market needs of Alberta. Applicants with the highest rankings will get the invitation to apply for permanent residence. This update will make the immigration process to Alberta simpler and more efficient.
Final Thoughts,
The AAIP is a popular economic immigration program in the Canadian province of Alberta. Whether you want to set a business up in Alberta or work as a foreign national here, this program is the way to go. If you fit the eligibility criteria, the AAIP can further nominate individuals for permanent residence in Alberta. You can gather updated information about AAIP changes from experienced consultants at reputed immigration firms such as Onkar Immigration. They can assess your eligibility criteria and process the applications hassle-free.
Most employers in Canada need an LMIA to hire a temporary foreign worker. An LMIA is a document issued by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), which assesses the impact of hiring foreign workers in the country. The document ensures that you need a temporary foreign worker to fill that specific position in your firm. The Canadian Government brings forth important updates in 2024 for employers with LMIA and an interest in hiring foreign temporary workers under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP).
Reducing the number of foreign workers in Canada
The TFW or Temporary Foreign Worker Program is meant to hire foreign nationals only when no Canadian or permanent resident is eligible for the position. Minister Boissonnault, however, announced that they were planning to reduce the dependence of employers on this program.
The following changes will be implemented from 26th September 2024 to the low-wage stream of the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) program.
The Canadian Government will no longer process LMIAs in the low-wage stream in specific areas. It will be applicable in census metropolitan areas which has an unemployment rate of 6% or more.
Exceptions include seasonal and non-seasonal jobs in food security, construction and healthcare sectors.
Canadian employers can hire only 10% of their total workforce under the TFW program. This will be applied to the Low-Wage stream.
Exceptions include seasonal and non-seasonal jobs in food security, construction and healthcare sectors.
Temporary workers hired through the Low-Wage stream can work for a maximum of one year.
These tight measures ensure that Canadian employers invest in the workers available in the country. They should also focus on upskilling to help the employees adapt to the economy of the future.
Refusing LMIA Applications for low-wage positions in Montreal
LMIA applications that were submitted between 3rd September 2024 and 3rd March 2025 will not be processed. The Government has refused to process certain LMIA applications, such as:
Jobs with a wage below the median hourly wage of $27.47 in Quebec
Jobs that have a work location in the economic region of Montreal
Exceptions
LMIA applications for specific in-home caregiver positions in sectors such as construction, education, construction and others are exempted from the above rule.
Managing impacts of hazardous weather
You should meet the following requirements if your business cannot operate due to the weather:
Issue ROEs to help TFWs apply for Employment Insurance benefits.
Inform the Employer Contact Centre of any changes to the LMIA (for example- layoffs)
Canadian employers need to meet program obligations if they or their workers are affected by hazardous weather conditions. Employers should contact their respective regional processing centres in the case of any unreachable TFWs.
Do you need an LMIA?
The government is getting stricter with LMIA applications. As an employer, you should be aware of your duties and responsibilities related to the LMIA. You should have a clear idea about which type of application to submit to hire eligible foreign national candidates. Getting an LMIA is quite a daunting task. You can get thorough guidance from immigration consultants such as the ones at Onkar Immigration. They are licensed professionals who can help you through the LMIA process till the end.
IRCC has finally put an end to the temporary public policy that was brought forth during the pandemic. The policy is used to let visitors apply for a work permit while living in the country. It was supposed to end on 28th February, 2025. However, the federal government scrapped it immediately to improve the efficiency of the Canadian immigration system.
What was the Temporary Public Policy About?
IRCC introduced this temporary policy in August 2020. The purpose was to help visitors stuck inside the country due to the pandemic. The policy allowed visitors in Canada to apply for a work permit without leaving the country.
However, some international workers also changed their status to ‘visitor’ whose work permit expired a year before. The visitor status was used to let them apply to work legally in the country while the government processes their new work permit application.
Why did the Government End the Policy So Soon?
Initially, the policy was supposed to end on 28th February 2025. The federal government ended it on 28th August 2024 for two major reasons:
Regulate the number of temporary residents already living in Canada
Improve the efficiency of the Canadian immigration system
IRCC had to curb this temporary policy also because some fraudsters were misleading international students into applying for work permits in Canada. This is a measure to address the existing labour gaps in Canada and stabilize the immigration system.
Are There Any Further Restrictions on Foreign Workers in Canada?
According to the CIC report, the end of the COVID-19 public policy is one of the attempts of the government to reduce the foreign worker levels in the country. The changes would help the country meet their labour shortages in specific sectors and streamline immigration.
Other changes include the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) halting the processing of LMIA applications for some candidates under the Low-Wage stream. This will affect candidates from Census Metropolitan Areas where the unemployment rate is 6% or higher. The government also announced that Canadian employers can hire foreign workers for 10% of their total workforce. The maximum employment term under the Low-Wage stream will be reduced to one year.
All in all, Canada is witnessing some major changes to the temporary worker programs. You should stay aware of all the immigration updates related to this field if you want to immigrate to this country and work here smoothly. There are immigration consultancy firms such as Onkar Immigration who can guide you through the process and make the journey easier.
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