To prioritize individual health and safety during the worldwide pandemic in 2020 and 2021, the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship (IRCC) adopted limitations that delayed the processing of foreign applications, increasing the size of the application inventory.
To address the problem, IRCC temporarily paused invitations to apply (ITA) for federal high-skilled streams such as the Canadian Experience Class (C.E.C.), Federal Skilled Worker Class (F.S.W.P), and Federal Skilled Trades Class (F.S.T.P).
Immigration is an important part of the Canadian economy and is crucial in alleviating the labor deficit. Employers in Canada are actively looking to fill hundreds of thousands of openings in various industries across the nation.
As a result, Canada must continue to be a top global talent destination.
In light of this, the Honorable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship (IRCC), made a momentous statement on April 22, 2022.
According to the release, “Express Entry drawings will start soon, and invitations to apply for permanent residence will begin in early July, with the great majority of new applications also being completed within the 6-month service criteria,” which is now more than 20 months.
As a result of the interim stop, the federal high-skilled processing inventory has decreased by more than half, from about 111,900 people in September 2021 to only 48,000 people in March 2022.
This inventory will have been reduced further by July 2022, allowing IRCC to resume its service standards.
Furthermore, the Honorable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship (IRCC), has announced some further steps to help talented workers in Canada contribute to the Canadian economy. They are as follows:
- Former international students in Canada with a post-graduation work permit that expires between January and December 2022 will be eligible for an extra open work visa for up to 18 months, commencing in summer 2022.
- Applicants will be able to continue contributing to the Canadian economy, solve labor shortages in Canada, obtain job experience, and construct their Express Entry profiles as a result of this.
- Applicants will no longer be required to remain in Canada while their applications for permanent residence are being processed.
- Applicants who apply for an open work permit while their permanent residency application is being processed will be eligible for work permits that will be valid until the end of 2024.
- Immediate family members outside of Canada who were included in a primary applicant’s permanent residence application will be eligible for an open work visa to help with family reunification.