IRCC Provides Clarity On Eligibility Criteria For Six New Immigration Pathways

Key Highlights:

• Legal Entry To Canada And Status As A Temporary Resident
• Official Language Proficiency
• Current Work Experience
• Qualifying Work Experience
• Education Requirements

IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) has released a new set of guidelines to help IRCC staff access the applications for essential worker and international graduate streams. On 26^th May 2021, IRCC has come up with new program guidelines to offer more clarity on the eligibility criteria for six new permanent residents (PR) programs.

The six new permanent residence streams for the international graduates and essential workers were launched on May 6.The English-speaking International Graduate stream reached the quota of 40,000 applications the very next day. Nevertheless, Marco Mendicino, the Immigration Minister has stated that IRCC is open to exploring adjusting the quotas under various streams.

The two English-speaking essential worker streams have received over 11,000 applications. Their quota combined is 50,000 applications. The three available French-speaking streams had a lower uptake. Although this was expected as the francophone population in Canada is small and they are not subjected to quotas, the applicants have been provided with a deadline up to November 6 to submit applications to IRCC.

The new program guidelines issued on May 26 are meant to help the staff access the applications that are submitted in the 6 PR streams.

According to the new guidelines, the applicants should meet the following criteria to be eligible for the 6 streams,

1. Legal entry in the country and should have a status of temporary resident
2. Official language proficiency
3. Current work experience
4. Intent to reside outside of Quebec
5. Qualifying work experience
6. Education requirements

Legal Entry To Canada And Status As A Temporary Resident

All the applicants must have entered the country legally and also to possess a temporary resident status. The applicant should also be physically present in Canada when the application for permanent residence is given and when the organization approves it. Residents without a temporary resident status, like the refugee claimants, are not eligible to apply for the 6 PR stream.

Official Language Proficiency:

The IRCC conducts a language test. The essentials have to score a minimum of 4 in the language test. International Graduates need to demonstrate a minimum score of 5.

The tests options available are:

English

• IELTS: International English Language Testing System. This is a general training test.
• CELPIP: Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program

French

• TEF Canada: Test d’évaluation de français
• TCF Canada: Test de connaissance du français (in French only)

Current Work Experience:

The applicants must be currently working to be eligible for the streams. The conditions of the work for the applicant are: the work location must be in Canada; the applicant must be doing any occupation that is legal and is paid in wages or commission. Self-employed work cannot be considered eligible unless the applicant is working as a paid medical doctor for a health attorney.

The definition of currently employed is concerning the date on which the application was submitted. The applicant should remain employed throughout the process.

IRCC staff will look into the factor regarding the current work such as:

• the type of work performed and the autonomy and control the applicant has over the work
• if the tools needed to finish the work is provided by the owner
• the extent of work that needs to be performed daily
• if any financial risk is involved in the work

Intent to Reside outside Quebec

The 6 PR streams/programs are available for only those applicants who are ready to reside anywhere in Canada but the province of Quebec. IRCC staff are instructed to inform the applicants of the necessary concerns were they not ready to reside outside of Quebec.

Qualifying work experience

The applicants must meet the following criteria

• Should have acquired work experience in any eligible appropriate NOC code of a minimum of 1,560 hours in the past 3 years before submitting the application
• Applicant should be authorized to work in Canada
• The work was done in Canada and the wages or commission was paid
• The applicant should not have been self-employed. Medical doctors working under a health authority is an exception.

Education Requirements

The following are the criteria for the International graduates

• The program should have been completed in a Canadian DLI (Designated Learning Institution)
• The program should have been completed not earlier than January 2017.
• Applicants should have had a study permit.
• The applicant should have received eligible credentials certificate (diploma, degree certificate, etc)
• One or more credentials are accepted if the combined study in Canada is equivalent to the 2-year credential (16 months)