Immigration Update

Canada announced 2 immigration pathways for Hongkongers

On June 8, 2021, the Government of Canada announced 2 new permanent residence pathways for Hong Kong residents. The new pathway came into force on June 1, 2021, and will be in place until August 31, 2026. Hongkongers who have educational credentials at a post-secondary designated learning institution, or those who have at least 1 year of full-time work experience in Canada in the last 3 years can apply through the new programs. Eligible Hong Kong residents in Canada must possess a valid temporary resident status, be in Canada both when they submit their application and when their permanent residence is granted as well as meet the specified language, education, work, and eligibility requirements. #PR, #Hong_Kong, #Hong_Kongers https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/2021/06/minister-mendicino-announces-opening-of-2-new-pathways-to-permanent-residence-for-hong-kong-residents.html

Permanent residents with expired PR cards struggle to enter Canada

In Canada, permanent residents are required to meet residency obligations in order to renew their PR cards. According to Section 23 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, a permanent resident must be physically present in Canada for at least 730 days (2 years) in every 5-year period. Currently, many permanent residents, especially parents/grandparents who are outside Canada stuck in other countries, and their PR cards have expired. Since permanent residents are required to have a valid PR card to enter Canada, those whose PR cards are expired will have to apply for a travel document to come to Canada. It is still questionable whether they can be eligible to be exempted from the residency obligations. #PR, #Permanent_residence https://www.cic.gc.ca/English/helpcentre/answer.asp?qnum=1456&top=10

Canada introduced program delivery update for healthcare workers permanent residence pathway

On June 2, 2021, the Government of Canada introduced the COVID-19 program delivery update for the Healthcare workers permanent residence pathway. The Government updated the instructions to add information related to the Ministerial stay of removal pursuant to paragraph 50(e) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA). In addition, minor adjustments have been made to the guidelines for some aspects of application processing. These are preliminary review and triage; eligibility; admissibility; and making a final decision. This pathway is for eligible refugee claimants who provided direct patient health care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Applications will be accepted until August 31, 2021. #COVID_19,#Health_care_workers #Health_care_workers

BC PNP extends the Tech Pilot

On May 28, 2021, British Columbia announced that the BC PNP Tech Pilot has been extended indefinitely to provide B.C. tech employers with the continued ability to recruit and address workforce needs by prioritizing 29 in-demand tech occupations. The program was renamed BC PNP Tech. BC PNP Tech will continue with the existing job offer criteria. The job offer must be for a single job in one of the 29 occupations eligible under the BC PNP Tech; must be at least one year in duration (365 days); and must be at least 120 calendar days remaining on the job offer at the time of application. Longer duration job offers, including indeterminate (permanent, or with no set end date) job offers, will continue to be eligible for the program. #British Columbia, #Tech_pilot, #BCPNP_Tech