Canada has announced to grant permanent residency to over 90,000 foreign students and workers who helped treat patients during the coronavirus pandemic.
The migration minister on Wednesday announced that Canada is going to grant permanent residency to over 90,000 foreign students. Canadian Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino said the measure should help Canada reach its target of welcoming more than 400,000 immigrants in 2021, compensating for a drop in immigration in 2020 when the border was closed.
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A news report published in Toronto star states, “Our message to them is simple: Your status may be temporary, but your contributions are lasting, and we want you to stay.” The 90,000 intakes under the new programme will account for almost a quarter of this year’s overall immigration goal.
Moreover, this is a fine opportunity for Pakistanis, hundreds of Pakistanis studying and living in Canada may benefit from the programme. It is intended for workers with at least 1 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.
The initiative is planned to come into effect from May 6.
Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino told the news conference, “The pandemic has shone a bright light on the incredible contributions of newcomers,” he added, “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.”
However, all eligible essential workers are required to have Canadian work experience for at least one year to apply for permanent residency.
International graduates, who have completed an eligible Canadian post-secondary program within the last four years, are also eligible to apply.
