Major canadian immigration measures announced in June 2023
June 27 was a busy day for immigration news ! The Government of Canada announced several measures affecting all work permit holders and certain workers in the tech sector.
We break it down for you !
Studying in Canada with a work permit
Foreign nationals in Canada must hold the appropriate status for the activities they wish to undertake. A study permit is required to study, while a work permit is needed for employment.
However, a provision allowed foreign workers to enroll in a study program alongside their work, for a maximum duration of six months. If they wished to study for a longer period, they were required to apply for a study permit, and a CAQ in Quebec.
The announcements made on June 27, 2023, include the implementation of a temporary policy lasting three years.
Under this policy, any worker holding a valid work permit, or who applied for a renewal before June 7, 2023, is now allowed to study full-time or part-time without any restriction on the duration.
Naturally, the authorization to study is valid until the expiration of the work permit or the end of the policy, whichever comes first. It should also be noted that in Quebec, work permit holders will not be required to apply for a CAQ in order to study.
If a worker wishes to study beyond the duration of their work permit, they must still apply for a study permit.
This measure is expected to help many foreign workers upgrade their skills. Under Express Entry, some may improve their chances of selection by attaining a higher level of education.
New work permit program for certain U.S. H-1B visa holders
Canada also announced new measures targeting tech and highly skilled talent.
Among them is a new provision under the International Mobility Program.
For three years, certain holders of U.S. H-1B specialty occupation visas and their families will be able to work in Canada without needing a Canadian job offer. They can apply for an open work permit, and their spouses and children will also be eligible for work or study permits of the same duration.
This new work permit is expected to come into effect on July 16, 2023.
New program for digital nomads
Canada aims to become a top destination for digital nomads.
Under this initiative, remote workers will be allowed to stay and work in Canada for up to six months at a time without needing a work permit.
Eligibility requirements include being able to work remotely and being employed by a company outside of Canada.
Although exempt from a work permit, applicants must still apply under this specific program to benefit from the exemption.
If they later receive a job offer from a Canadian employer, they can apply for a work permit to remain in Canada.
New innovation stream under the International Mobility Program
In addition to the H-1B-related permit, two new types of work permits are expected to be introduced : – For workers employed by companies aligned with Canada’s innovation goals – For highly skilled workers in in-demand occupations
The first group will be eligible for employer-specific work permits of up to 5 years. The second group will be eligible for open work permits of the same duration.
News pathways to permanent residence
Canada also announced the creation of two new pathways to permanent residence.
STEM professionals and tech talent
For workers in STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), a new Express Entry stream will be launched. It will involve occupation-specific invitation rounds under the category-based selection system.
Another pathway is being developed for tech talent, with or without a Canadian job offer.
These new pathways are still in development, and more details will be shared in the coming weeks.
Changes to the Start-Up visa program
First, the government announced an increase in the number of spots allocated to this program for 2023, with a target of 3,500. The number of spots will also be increased for 2024 and 2025.
Additionally, applicants to this program will be able to obtain an initial work permit valid for three years, instead of the current one-year duration. They will also be eligible for an open work permit rather than a closed one.
Return to normal processing times under the global skills strategy
Canada is returning to the 14-day service standard (10 business days) for processing under the Global Skills Strategy, which had been disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic and IRCC service strikes.
According to Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, the ICT sector employed nearly 720,000 people in 2021. These measures are expected to strengthen Canada’s position as a top tech destination.
This article discusses recent developments and is subject to change. Last updated: June 28, 2023.