Canadian immigration minister on Wednesday announced that it will grant permanent residency to more than 90,000 foreign students and workers who helped treat patients during the pandemic.
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The program, which takes effect starting May 6, is intended for workers with at least one year of work experience in health care or dozens of other sectors deemed essential — from grocery store cashiers and shelf stockers to truck drivers and farm workers — as well as graduates who’ve completed a post-secondary degree within the last four years.
90,000 Students and Foreign Workers to Receive Canadian Permanent Residency Starting This May
According to Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino, the measure should help Canada reach its target of welcoming more than 400,000 immigrants this year, compensating for a drop in immigration last year when the border was closed, the Philippine Star.
“The pandemic has shone a bright light on the incredible contributions of newcomers,” the minister told a news conference.
“These new policies will help those with a temporary status to plan their future in Canada, play a key role in our economic recovery and help us build back better,” he added.
“Your status may be temporary, but your contributions are lasting — and we want you to stay.”
Effective May 6, 2021, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will begin accepting applications under the following three streams:
- 20,000 applications for temporary workers in health care
- 30,000 applications for temporary workers in other selected essential occupations
- 40,000 applications for international students who graduated from a Canadian educational institution
The streams will remain open until Nov. 5, 2021 or until they have reached their limit, according to the announcement.
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