Public Policy for Foreign Nationals in Canada, Canadian Work Experience in Essential Occupations

The public policy targets foreign nationals with at least one year of work experience in Canada in an essential occupation.You may be granted permanent resident status if you:

a. Have accumulated at least one (1) year of full-time work experience, or the equivalent in part-time experience (1,560 hours), in Canada, in an eligible occupation listed in Annex A or Annex B in the three (3) years preceding the date when the application for permanent residence is received. The one year of work experience must be obtained in one or more of the eligible occupations as follows:

• Stream A: the one year of work experience must have been acquired in one or more occupations listed in Annex A. Experience cannot be combined with Annex B occupations.
• Stream B: the one year of work experience must have been acquired in one or more occupations listed in Annex B, or a combination of occupations in Annexes A and B.

b. Be employed in Canada in any occupation at the time that the application for permanent residence is received.

c. Have attained a level of proficiency of at least benchmark 4 in either official language for each of the four language skill areas.

d. Reside in Canada with valid temporary resident status.

e. Intend to reside in a province or territory other than Quebec;

Annex A – Eligible Health-Related Occupations Eligible health care occupations include all broad occupational category 3 occupations (Health occupations) from the National Occupational Classification (NOC) with the exception of Veterinarians (NOC 3114) and Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians (NOC 3213). Five occupations from broad occupational category 4 (Occupations in education, law and social, community and government services) are also eligible occupations.

Eligible Occupations:

NOC Occupation

3011 Nursing coordinators and supervisors 3012 Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses 3111 Specialist physicians 3112 General practitioners and family physicians 3113 Dentists 3121 Optometrists 3122 Chiropractors 3124 Allied primary health practitioners 3125 Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating 3131 Pharmacists 3132 Dietitians and nutritionists 3141 Audiologists and speech-language pathologists 3142 Physiotherapists 3143 Occupational therapists 3144 Other professional occupations in therapy and assessment 3211 Medical laboratory technologists 3212 Medical laboratory technicians and pathologists' assistants 3214 Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists 3215 Medical radiation technologists 3216 Medical sonographers 3217 Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists, n.e.c. 3219 Other medical technologists and technicians (except dental health) 3221 Denturists 3222 Dental hygienists and dental therapists 3223 Dental technologists, technicians and laboratory assistants 3231 Opticians 3232 Practitioners of natural healing 3233 Licensed practical nurses 3234 Paramedical occupations 3236 Massage therapists 3237 Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment 3411 Dental assistants 3413 Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates 3414 Other assisting occupations in support of health services 4151 Psychologists 4152 Social workers 4153 Family, marriage and other related counsellors 4165 Health policy researchers, consultants and program officers 4212 Social and community service workers 4412 Home support workers, housekeepers and related occupations

ANNEX B – Other Eligible Essential Occupations

1. Major Unit Groups

66 - Sales support occupations 6611 Cashiers 6621 Service station attendants 6622 Store shelf stockers, clerks and order fillers 6623 Other sales related occupations

72- Industrial, electrical and construction trades

7201 Contractors and supervisors, machining, metal forming, shaping and erecting trades and related occupations 7202 Contractors and supervisors, electrical trades and telecommunications occupations 7203 Contractors and supervisors, pipefitting trades 7204 Contractors and supervisors, carpentry trades 7205 Contractors and supervisors, other construction trades, installers, repairers and servicers 7231 Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors 7232 Tool and dye makers 7233 Sheet metal workers 7234 Boilermakers 7235 Structural metal and plate-work fabricators and fitters 7236 Ironworkers 7237 Welders and related machine operators 7241 Electricians (except industrial and power system) 7242 Industrial electricians 7243 Power system electricians 7244 Electrical power line and cable workers 7245 Telecommunications line and cable workers 7246 Telecommunications installation and repair workers 7247 Cable television service and maintenance technicians 7251 Plumbers 7252 Steam fitters, pipe fitters and sprinkler system installers 7253 Gas fitters 7271 Carpenters 7272 Cabinetmakers 7281 Bricklayers 7282 Concrete finishers 7283 Tile setters 7284 Plasterers, drywall installers and finishers and lathers 7291 Roofers and shinglers 7292 Glaziers 7293 Insulators 7294 Painters and decorators (except interior decorators) 7295 Floor covering installers

74 - Other installers, repairers and material handlers 7441 Residential and commercial installers 7442 Waterworks and gas maintenance workers 7444 Pest controllers and fumigators 7445 Other repairers 7451 Longshore workers 7452 Material handlers

75 - Transport and heavy equipment operation and related maintenance occupations 7511 Transport truck drivers 7512 Bus drivers, subway operators and other transit operators 7513 Taxi and limousine drivers and chauffeurs 7514 Delivery and courier service drivers 7521 Heavy equipment operators (except crane) 7522 Public works maintenance equipment operators and related workers 7531 Railway yard and track maintenance workers 7532 Water transport deck and engine room crew 7533 Boat and cable ferry operators and related occupations 7534 Air transport ramp attendants 7535 Other automotive mechanical installers and servicers

76 - Trades helpers, construction laborers and related occupations 7611 Construction trades helpers and laborers 7612 Other trades helpers and laborers 7621 Public works and maintenance laborers 7622 Railway and motor transport laborers

86 - Harvesting, landscaping and natural resources laborers 8611 Harvesting laborers 8612 Landscaping and grounds maintenance laborers 8613 Aquaculture and marine harvest laborers 8614 Mine laborers 8615 Oil and gas drilling, servicing and related laborers 8616 Logging and forestry laborers

2. Minor Unit Groups

151 - Mail and message distribution occupations

1511 Mail, postal and related workers 1512 Letter carriers 1513 Couriers, messengers and door-to-door distributors

642 - Retail salesperson 6421 Retail salespersons

673 - Cleaners 6731 Light-duty cleaners 6732 Specialized cleaners 6733 Janitors, caretakers and building superintendents

843 - Agriculture and horticulture workers 8431 General farm workers 8432 Nursery and greenhouse workers

844 - Other workers in fishing and trapping and hunting occupations 8441 Fishing vessel deckhands 8442 Trappers and hunters

946 - Machine operators and related workers in food, beverage and associated products processing 9461 Process control and machine operators, food and beverage processing 9462 Industrial butchers and meat cutters, poultry preparers and related workers 9463 Fish and seafood plant workers 9465 Testers and graders, food and beverage processing

3. Specific 4-Digit Unit Groups 0821 Managers in agriculture 0822 Managers in horticulture 4031 French and French Immersion Secondary school teachers (language of instruction must be French) 4032 French and French Immersion Elementary school and kindergarten teachers (language of instruction must be French) 4411 Home child care providers 4413 Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants 6331 Retail butchers 6523 Airline ticket and service agents 6524 Ground and water transport ticket agents, cargo service representatives and related clerks 6541 Security guards and related security service occupations 6551 Customer services representatives - financial institutions 6552 Other customer and information services representatives 8252 Agricultural service contractors, farm supervisors and specialized livestock workers 8255 Contractors and supervisors, landscaping, grounds maintenance and horticulture services 9617 Laborers in food and beverage processing 9618 Laborers in fish and seafood processing

What is the Current Immigration Policy in Canada?

Canada's immigration policy plays a pivotal role in shaping the country's social, economic, and cultural landscape. It aims to address labor market demands, bring families together, and uphold humanitarian commitments, all while promoting a diverse and inclusive society. The Canadian government has introduced several initiatives and updates in recent years to meet these goals effectively.

Labor Market Support through Skilled Immigration

A key focus of Canada's immigration strategy is to fill labor shortages in critical sectors. The Express Entry system, one of the primary pathways for skilled workers to gain permanent residency, operates on a points-based system that evaluates candidates based on factors such as age, education, work experience, and language proficiency. In 2023, the government enhanced this system to conduct targeted draws, prioritizing candidates in specific high-demand professions, including healthcare workers, tech experts, and French-speaking individuals. This approach ensures that immigration aligns with the immediate and future needs of Canada’s labor market.

Provincial Nominee Program (PNP): Customized Regional Needs

The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) allows provinces and territories to nominate candidates who meet their specific economic needs. In 2023, the program expanded to introduce new pathways, particularly for workers in essential industries such as agriculture, construction, and skilled trades. This localized approach ensures that regional economies benefit directly from immigration while addressing unique challenges in different parts of the country.

Family Reunification as a Cornerstone

Canada's commitment to family reunification remains a defining aspect of its immigration policy. Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor immediate family members—such as spouses, children, parents, and grandparents—to join them in Canada. These programs reflect Canada’s belief in the importance of family unity as a foundation for successful settlement and integration into Canadian society.

Humanitarian Efforts: A Global Leader

On the humanitarian front, Canada continues to demonstrate leadership by supporting refugees and asylum seekers fleeing conflict, persecution, and natural disasters. Through programs like the Refugee Resettlement Program and the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP), the government provides protection and opportunities for vulnerable individuals to start anew. The EMPP aims to welcome 2,000 skilled refugees, supporting their integration into Canadian communities and enhancing their contributions to the labor market. This commitment not only aligns with Canada’s international obligations but also enhances its reputation as a compassionate and welcoming nation.

Is It Public Policy to Get a Work Permit Inside Canada?

During the pandemic, the Canadian government introduced a temporary public policy to address labor shortages and provide more flexibility for employers and foreign workers. This policy allowed certain visitors already in Canada to apply for employer-specific work permits without having to leave the country. Initially implemented in August 2020, it was extended several times due to ongoing labor market challenges.

As of August 28, 2024, this temporary policy has been discontinued. Visitors in Canada are no longer permitted to apply for work permits from within the country. Instead, they must follow the standard process, which involves submitting applications from outside Canada. This shift marks a return to pre-pandemic norms and has significant implications for both employers and foreign nationals.

Employers now need to plan recruitment efforts with the understanding that prospective workers who are already in Canada on visitor status will not have the option to transition directly to a work permit. Likewise, applicants must ensure they meet the requirements for work permit applications before traveling to Canada or prepare to apply from their home countries.

Is There a Temporary Policy That Exempts Some Foreign Nationals from an Immigration Medical Exam?

Canada has taken steps to streamline its immigration processes and reduce the burden on healthcare resources by implementing a temporary public policy related to Immigration Medical Examinations (IME). This policy exempts certain low-risk foreign nationals already in Canada from having to undergo an additional IME.

Policy Details and Eligibility Criteria The policy, extended until October 5, 2029, applies to individuals who meet the following criteria:

1. Previous IME Completion: Applicants must have completed an IME within the last five years and been deemed to pose no risk to public health or safety.
2. Residency History: Applicants should not have lived in a country with a high prevalence of serious communicable diseases for more than six months in the past year.

This policy is designed to improve efficiency in processing applications, allowing eligible individuals to proceed with their immigration applications without the need for repetitive medical testing. It also alleviates strain on Canada's healthcare system by reducing unnecessary medical examinations.

Benefits of the Policy The IME exemption offers several advantages:

• Faster Processing: By eliminating the need for repeat medical exams, IRCC can expedite application processing times, helping applicants achieve their immigration goals more quickly.
• Resource Allocation: The policy allows medical professionals to focus on higher-risk cases, ensuring public health resources are used more effectively.
• Reduced Costs for Applicants: Foreign nationals benefit financially by avoiding the additional expense of undergoing a second IME.

Long-Term Impacts This measure reflects Canada’s commitment to creating a more efficient and responsive immigration system. By extending the policy until 2029, IRCC demonstrates its focus on balancing public health priorities with the needs of prospective immigrants. Eligible applicants should ensure they meet the criteria and provide all necessary documentation to take advantage of this exemption.

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