Immigration Medical Examination Criteria Made Easier

The Canadian Government brings good news for foreign nationals living in Canada. According to a temporary public policy, IRCC now allows low-risk foreign nationals living in Canada to apply for temporary or permanent residency without submitting an IME despite its prior expiration. Applicants generally had to go through an immigration medical examination every time they applied for temporary or permanent residency status. The temporary policy puts an end to this requirement for specific candidates until 6th October 2024. 

Who is Eligible for the New Temporary Public Policy? 

Not everyone is allowed to apply without an IME.  The temporary policy applies to foreign nationals with:

• An application for PR or temporary residency from within Canada 
• Zero risk to public safety and health after completing the IME within the last five years 

The eligibility requirements are: 

1. Foreign nationals should mention Canadian residence on their application 
2. They should submit an IME, including a physical examination (You have to do is within five years if you submit the application after 5th October 2022)
3. They have an expired IME, which can fall into any of these categories: 

M1- shows that they do not pose a threat to public health and safety 

M3- shows they have a health condition but can only demand exceptional health and social services after the assessment of M3

M2 or M2/3- shows that they are potentially a threat to public health. This category also reflects that they can report to territorial or provincial health authorities for medical surveillance 

The bottom line is you have to be a Canadian resident and should have submitted the IME previously. Your spouse or other family members should also meet the above-mentioned requirements to get rid of IME even if it expires. 

Need Help with Permanent Residency in Edmonton/Alberta? 

At Onkar Immigration, we house some experienced immigration consultants with several years of experience in this industry. We help individuals from all over the world to immigrate and acquire permanent residency in Canada. Whether you need help with your study permit or work permit in Canada, we have got your back. 

Our team equips you with all the necessary information and knowledge required to immigrate to Canada successfully. We make sure you live the Canadian dream through minimum paperwork and zero hassles. Consult with us today for all the latest updates about Canadian Immigration.

Canada Gears Up To Provide More International Students and Temporary Workers With Permanent Residency

Isn’t it a headache to convert your temporary visa to a permanent one?

Besides the long application processing times, you also have to deal with the limited number of applications accepted in Canada. This has also resulted in significant labour shortages in several Canadian provinces.

Thus, Sean Fraser, Canadian Immigration Minister, tabled a plan to enable frequent conversion of temporary visas to permanent ones. Officials are reviewing the rules of the international students and temporary workers programs to help more temporary residents gain their permanent resident status.

A New Strategy To Achieve PR for International Students and Temporary Workers

Foreign students and temporary workers play an integral role in strengthening the Canadian Government. The more candidates achieve their permanent residency, the better it is for the Canadian economy and workforce.

Thus, Sean Fraser has brought forth a plan to amplify the pathways that help convert TR to PR. According to the new plan, international students and temporary workers with significant work experience in specific fields can convert their temporary visas to permanent ones.

Why is this strategy important for Canada?

Understand one thing. Temporary workers and international students contribute significantly to the Canadian Economy. International students, for instance, help the Canadian workforce expand and increase productivity.

Similarly, temporary workers help in boosting creativity, corporate growth and productivity throughout Canada. They also assist in solving the workforce demands of several companies. Thus, the new strategy will offer more pathways for students and workers to convert their temporary residency to a permanent one.

What’s the Five Pillar Approach?

The Immigration Minister introduced the Five Pillar Approach to execute this strategy as efficiently as possible. The five-pillar strategy requires the IRCC to execute the following steps and convert temporary visas to permanent ones.

Pillar 1

Canada is expected to have almost 431,645 newcomers by the end of this year. Thus, the new plan should be implemented by 1st November 2022. The Canadian Government intends to use the immigration targets outlined in the Immigration Levels Plan 2022-2024 to achieve it.

Pillar 2

Canada wants to invite candidates based on their economic goals as well. Thus, the government intends to alter Express Entry programs that will begin in 2023.

Pillar 3

It is important for newcomers to be completely aware of the mandated qualifications and requirements. Thus, the Canadian Government intends to enable better and quicker access to updated immigration information. IRCC also plans to adopt the NOC system codes 2021 from November 16.

Pillar 4

IRCC plans to boost immigration opportunities through French outside Quebec and add a new MNP. The Canadian Government is already working to improve PR pathways along with the Provinces, Territories and employers of Canada.

Pillar 5

IRCC plans to use advanced technologies to modernize the immigration system and increase the processing capacity of applications. Newcomers can get their PR sooner as the processing times of their applications are reduced.

Wrapping Up,

All in all, temporary workers and foreign students can expect expanded pathways to convert their temporary visas to permanent visas. We at Onkar Immigration are here to equip you with all the knowledge related to this new strategy. Our immigration consultants assist you throughout the application process.

International Students Living in Canada Can Work Off-Campus for At Least 20 Hours A Week

According to Statistics Canada, the unemployment rate in Canada dropped from 5.4% in August to 5.2% in September. That means Canada needs to do whatever is necessary to fix its labour shortages and unemployment issues. Thus, the Immigration Minister, Sean Fraser, announced that international students could work over 20 hours per week off-campus from 15th November 2022 to 31st December 2023.

Currently, international students can work off-campus for up to 20 hours every week. They are, however, exempted from the limit during scheduled breaks. Canada had to ease the limit for the time being to manage almost a million job vacancies.

How Does This Temporary Measure Help International Students?

According to the current norms, international students living in Canada can work up to 20 hours a week. This policy helps them support themselves financially and get their studies done simultaneously. It is, however, going to change temporarily from 15th November 2022 to 31st December 2023.

The new policy would allow the students to work over 20 hours per week. This temporary measure will allow the students to work more hours. It could be their opportunity to integrate into the Canadian labour market quickly and contribute to the economy as well. They can also boost their Canadian work experience and land better prospects in the future.

What are the Eligibility Requirements for International Students to Work Off-Campus?

The international students must live in Canada. They should have an off-campus work authorization on their study permits in Edmonton, Alberta or any other province.

The new policy also applies to foreign nationals who have recently submitted their study permit. You can work for over 20 hours once the IRCC approves your applications.

Canada Welcomes International Students From All Over The World

Despite the labour shortages and unemployment issues, Canada is still one of the most sought-after study destinations for international students. And why wouldn't it be?

The high-quality education system, work opportunities, multiculturalism and the affordability of the Canadian dollar make this country quite desirable among students.

The temporary measure to let international students work more than 20 hours a week shows Canada wants to welcome more students from all parts of the world. Also, the country welcomed over 620 000 international students in 2021 and issued almost 450 000 study permits.

Sean Fraser also pointed out that Canada has already processed at least 452,000 study permits between January and August 2022. In the last year, however, the country processed 367,000 applications only for the same period. According to the CBIE, most international students are interested in acquiring PR status after completing their studies. So, that brings us to the next section.

International Students are Key Sources of Permanent Residents in Canada

International students in Canada play a great role in strengthening its economy. Thus, Canada wants more international students to acquire permanent residences here. In 2021, for instance, Canada relied on international students to achieve over 405,000 new immigrants through the Canadian Experience Class.  

IRCC also disclosed a TR2PR program in 2021, allowing almost 90,000 temporary residents to apply for PR. Fraser already created a five-pillar strategy for the Government to help temporary residents acquire PR status. Express Entry is one of the most convenient ways for temporary foreign workers and international students to acquire permanent residency here. We can expect to understand the strategy better once the Immigration Levels Plan 2023-2025 is out by 1st November.

What’s All The Hype About Post-Graduation Work Permits?

Before you learn about PGWP, let’s understand an open work permit. The open work permit lets foreign nationals work for any preferred employer in Canada. So, the PGWP allows eligible international students to acquire an open work permit. The validity period (three years) corresponds with the length of their educational program in Canada.

Once you have the PGWP, you can also be eligible for economic class immigration programs through Canadian work experience. The majority of PGWP holders opt for the Canadian Experience Class program to acquire permanent residence here.

You can also get the PR through Quebec and PNP streams. This is expected to encourage students to stay in that province and continue contributing to the labour market.

Achieve your Canadian Immigration Goals With Onkar Immigration

Are you an international student planning to acquire a work permit in Canada? Do you need  a study permit to fulfill your study goals in this country? Are you struggling to get hold of the PGWP? Leave all your immigration concerns at Onkar Immigration. Our immigration consultants in Edmonton and Alberta guide you through all the application processes and help you get the permit you need.

Most and Least Favourable Canadian Provinces for Immigrants to Start With

“Should I apply for permanent residency in Edmonton?” “Is it wise to get a work permit in Alberta?” Can you relate to these queries? Well, you are not alone. There are tons of immigrants struggling to pick the best province to get started in Canada.  After all, Canada is the second-largest country in the world, with ten provinces and three territories. 

So, how to identify the right province for immigration?

The answer is in interprovincial migration. interprovincial migration is the change in the usual place of residence. It is the movement from one province to another for better lifestyle options. The interprovincial migration data reflects the most and least favoured Canadian provinces. Thus, you will get an idea of what people already living in Canada think about different provinces. It will hence be easier to make a decision. 

Which Canadian Provinces are Most and Least Preferred Respectively? 

Statistics Canada disclosed the Q2 data 2022 for Canadian interprovincial migration. The data ranges from April to June 2022. The data shows which provinces people already living in Canada highly prefer and which they avoid. Canadians change their provinces to get access to better lifestyle options. 

According to the data, about 38 022 Canadian residents moved to another province. Most people preferred to migrate to Alberta. About 9857 people migrated to the province. Ontario, on the other hand, was the least preferred since about 21008 people left the province. 

Besides Ontario, provinces such as Saskatchewan and Manitoba are also considered least preferred. Both provinces have 4-digit negative interprovincial migration. 

Interprovincial Migration Data From Q2 2022

No matter which province you decide to start with, Onkar Immigration has got your back. Our experienced immigration consultants equip you with all the updated information necessary for successful interprovincial migration or Canadian immigration.

Doctors Will Have Easier Access to Permanent Residency in Canada

The doctors currently living in Canada are rendered self-employed because of the fee-for-service model involved in the federal Express Entry System. The problem, however, was that this model made the doctors ineligible for Canadian PR. 

Things are changing now. 

The Canadian Immigration Minister, Sean Fraser, announced that IRCC exempts doctors/physicians from current requirements or the fee-for-service model. That means they can now apply for permanent residency in Canada and continue working here hassle-free. 

PR Transitions Made Easier for Doctors in Canada 

Canada wants eminent doctors and physicians to come from all over the world and contribute to the Canadian economy. Also, the Canadian Government wants its people to be able to access a qualified physician without any difficulties. Thus, the IRCC improved the immigration system to address the skill shortage issues present in the healthcare industry to achieve both purposes. 

The honourable Sean Fraser conducted a meeting with family physicians and Healthy Pictou County at the Aberdeen Hospital regarding this matter. After the meeting, he announced changes that will make it easier for foreign-national doctors to remain in Canada and continue practising and contributing to our healthcare system. 

Doctors have faced enough barriers when it came to accessing permanent residency. Thus, the IRCC has freed the current doctors living in Canada from the fee-for-service model. This would help the doctors apply for permanent residence and work in Canada efficiently. 

The CMA or Canadian Medical Association has asked the federal government to stabilize and rebuild the health care system here. Thus, 13 provinces and territories are currently prioritizing health care with a 4.4% increase in the budget of health spending. 

Some Facts to Remember 

• IRCC prioritizes applications for a temporary resident work permit from essential healthcare workers. 
• More than 8600 temporary and permanent resident applicants were accepted to work in the health sector in 2022. 
• In 2021, the IRCC accepted work permit applications from over 2500 specialized physicians and 620 nurses. 
• More than 3600 physicians and 8600 nurses received their PR status since 2015 through PNP and Express Entry System. 
• Doctors can apply for permanent residence in economic programs under the Express Entry System, which includes the CEC and FSWP. 

Whether you want to immigrate to Canada as a doctor or want to extend your stay here as a physician, Onkar Immigration has got you covered. Our immigration consultants guide you through the updated programs to ensure you get your permanent residency in Edmonton, Alberta or anywhere you like in Canada.