Canada Immigration Update
IRCC announces measures to support those affected by the situation in Ukraine
As part of the Government of Canada's response to the situation in Ukraine, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has taken the decision to prioritize a number of applications for Ukrainian/Canadian citizens and Permanent Residents and their family members.
This action includes prioritizing citizenship grant applications for adoption, as well as permanent and temporary residence applications for people with a primary residence in Ukraine who want to reunite to travel with family, study, work or start a new life in Canada. Additionally, Ukrainian nationals currently in Canada as temporary residents can apply to extend their status as a visitor, student or worker.
In addition, IRCC is established a dedicated service channel for Ukrainian enquiries by phone (613-321-4243) and through IRCC's webform using the keyword Ukraine2022. Urgent processing for travel documents, including issuing single-journey travel documents for immediate family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents who do not have valid passports.
IRCC will issue open work permits to Ukrainian visitors, workers and students who are currently in Canada and cannot go home, and will waive fees for certain travel and immigration documents. Further details of these updates are expected to be released shortly. These measures also include increasing operational readiness in the region, including the use of mobile biometric collection kits, in anticipation of an increased volume of requests.
To read more: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/2022/02/additional-immigration-support-for-those-affected-by-the-situation-in-ukraine.html
Canada announces 2022-2024 Levels Plan for Immigration
Minister of Immigration, Sean Fraser tabled the 2022-2024 Levels Plan in February. The stated goal of the plan is "to ensure Canada has the workers it needs to fill critical labour market gaps and support a strong economy into the future." To support this goal, Canada aims to welcome immigrants at a rate of 1% of Canada's population, including 431,645 permanent residents in 2022, 447,055 in 2023 and 451,000 in 2024. The plan also includes action to modernize Canada's immigration system, including reducing inventories and creating predictable processing times for applicants. Highlights of the plan include:
- Overall admissions of permanent residents of 1.14% of the Canadian population by 2024
- Economic Class immigrants will make up 60% of the total
- A focus on vulnerable populations including granting permanent residence to refugee claimants working in health care during the pandemic
- Support for global crises through humanitarian immigration to those facing persecution
- Talent retention for those already in Canada in, including applicants under the TR to PR pathway, launched in 2021
To read more: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/2022/02/new-immigration-plan-to-fill-labour-market-shortages-and-grow-canadas-economy.html
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