Canada Immigration New Policy: Easy PR for Semi-Skilled Workers | IRCC Latest Update

The government has created a new permanent resident class targeted exclusively at semi-skilled workers, a move that is expected to drastically alter the immigration and labor markets. By giving those who have the necessary talents but might not fall into typical high-skilled categories a road to permanent residency, this proposed effort aims to overcome severe labor shortages in several industries.

This strategy might have significant effects on the labor force and the economy as a whole by valuing semi-skilled labor and providing them with a stable and secure status.

Introduction

The Immigration and Refugees Protection Act may be amended by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to create a new permanent economic immigration class for workers with training experience who meet the requirements of levels four and five of training, education, experience, and responsibilities.

According to the agency, by allowing individuals with a wider range of talents and experience to be considered for permanent residency, the pathway would help modernize the economic immigration system. Ministerial instructions containing additional information about the new class and any Pathways are expected to be published in the Canada Gazette this autumn, according to the IRCC.

Canada’s Tier System

In 2022, Canada implemented the tier system as a component of the National Occupation Classification (NOC) system’s progression. The skill levels in NOC 2016 are replaced by tiers in the system, which classify vocations.

Tiers 0–3 are reserved for jobs that normally demand an apprenticeship for a set period or higher education. A high school diploma, on-the-job training, or, in the case of tier 5, no formal education but some vocations that typically require a brief work demonstration are covered by tiers 4 and 5.

As of right now, federal economic immigration programs run by Express Entry are not normally open to Tiers 4 and 5. This means that immigrants who come to Canada to work in particular fields frequently encounter greater barriers to permanent residency and increase the country’s temporary resident population.

Many immigrants to Canada enter the country as temporary residents, and as a result of the present labor market, some of them end up working in jobs that “Statistics Canada” classifies as low-skilled. According to a Statistics Canada study published earlier this year, temporary foreign workers and international students are being employed in lower-skilled industrial sectors more often.

These include the retail commerce sector and the sectors providing lodging and food services. It continued by suggesting that these changes might lead to a greater percentage of low-skilled TFWS. This implies that low incomes and sluggish wage growth affect TFWs and international students, postponing their economic integration in Canada.

Temporary Resident Levels

Another example of how the IRCC is moving toward lowering the number of temporary residents in Canada is the establishment of new pathways for permanent residence for Tier 4 and 5 arrivals. The administration stated earlier this year that it aims to normalize these figures, which reached a peak of more than 2 million in 2023.

The department stated, citing a declaration from Immigration Minister Mark Miller at the time, that these levels were no longer viable for Canada’s economy. 138% of the jobs lost during the COVID-19 pandemic have been recovered by Canada. Temporary inhabitants, including laborers, students, and guests, have not historically been subject to caps.

This year, the IRCC altered the policy and set a hard cap on the total number of applications from overseas students that it will accept. In addition, the IRCC is including temporary resident levels in the 2025–2027 immigration levels plan, which is anticipated to be unveiled on or around November 1. This is another method the IRCC will control the number of temporary residences by raising the number of domestic draws.

This indicates that before considering the immigration of more foreign nationals from outside, the IRCC has been trying to make temporary residents who are already residing in Canada permanent residents. The number of Express Entry drawings for candidates who have received a provincial nomination and those who are in the pool through the Canadian Experience Class has increased recently.

Most of these candidates are temporary residents who are currently residing and working in Canada. The IRCC sent 14,575 Invitations to Apply to these candidates in July alone. By taking these steps, the IRCC will be able to reduce the number of temporary residents while also reaching its yearly target of permanent residents for both the current and the next year.

Further Details

The possible effects of the proposed permanent resident class for semi-skilled workers on immigration laws and the labor market continue to be hotly debated topics. Should this idea be put into action, it might offer individuals a priceless chance for stability and advancement while also giving much-needed support to industries that need semiskilled labor.

To ensure that the idea properly satisfies the demands of both companies and workers, stakeholders and policymakers must carefully analyze its ramifications as it moves forward.