Parents and Grandparents Program to open on October 31, 2020 until November 3, 2020
The Government of Canada announced last October 5, 2020 the details for opening of 2020 Parents and Grandparents Program. I’m sure lots of kababayans have been waiting for this announcement since January this year. I was hoping that they would change the intake system as the lottery system has received many criticisms in the past. Having said that, over a three week period starting 12 pm EDT on October 13, 2020 , to 12pm EST on November 3, 2020, Canadians and permanent resident who wish to sponsor their parents and grandparents for permanent residence to Canada will have the opportunity to submit an interest to sponsor form online. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will randomly select potential sponsors and send them an invitation to apply. If invited, applicants will have 60 days to submit their permanent residence application. IRCC reported that that a maximum of 10,000 applications will be accepted for processing as part of the 2020 PGP intake. In 2021, IRCC will open a new intake of interest to sponsor forms to accept a total of 30,000 new applications.
Foreign nationals who are in Canada with a letter of introduction (LOI) after approval of a study or work permit application processed outside of Canada.
Are you in Canada who submitted an application for either a Study or Work permit outside Canada, received a positive decision on your application and a letter of approval or LOI? Due to Covid-19 travel restrictions, these foreign nationals can’t leave and re-enter Canada to present their LOI for examination, another term to describe this situation is to travel to a port of entry to flagpole or travel to another country and return. The Government of Canada introduced a temporary measure to allow these foreign nationals to request for the conduct of examination and issuance of documents thru IRCC webform. This temporary process will be in placed until March 31, 2021. If the officer is satisfied that the study or work permit requirements are still met, the document can be issued and will be mailed to the mailing address provided in the application.
Public Policy exempting certain visitors in Canada from immigration requirements
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced last August 24, 2020 a public policy that will allow visitors to apply for a work permit without leaving Canada. This temporary public policy will address certain employers in Canada who continue to face difficulties in finding workers as well as temporary residents who would like to contribute their labour and skills to Canada’s recovery from COVID-19 pandemic.
To benefit from this public policy, please find below eligibility requirements:
- have valid status in Canada as a visitor on the day they apply
- have been in Canada on August 24, 2020 and remained in Canada
- have a job offer
- submit an application for an employer-specific work permit that is supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or an LMIA-exempt offer of employment, no later than March 31, 2021
- meet all other standard admissibility criteria
Please note that foreign nationals who arrive in Canada as visitors after August 24, 2020 ARE NOT ELIGIBLE under the public policy.
If you have questions regarding the above article you may contact Marjorie at [email protected]
Source: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
A word of caution: You should not act or rely on the information provided in this column. It is not a legal advice. To ensure your interests are protected, retain or formally seek advice from a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) in good standing of ICCRC. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of RCIC’s.
