 WHY YOU SHOULD CONSIDER CANADA AS AN IMMIGRANT
.jpeg)
Work experience: Being a temporary worker in Canada provides valuable work experience that can be added to your profileand improve your chances of finding employment in the future.
Opportunity to travel: Canada is a beautiful country with many unique regions and natural attractions. As a temporary worker, you will have the chance to explore the country during your time off.
Ability to improve language skills: Canada is a bilingual country, with English and French as its two official languages. Working in Canada can give you the opportunity to learn and improve your language skills.
Access to healthcare: Temporary workers in Canada are usually eligible for publicly funded healthcare services, which can help ensure that you have the required access to medical care if needed.
Possibility of permanent residency: Some temporary worker programs, such as the Canadian Experience Class, are specifically designed with the opportunity to help temporary workers change to permanent residency in Canada. This can be a great opportunity for those who wish to stay in Canada long-term.
Overall, being a temporary worker in Canada can provide a range of benefits and opportunities for personal and professional development.
CANADA IMMIGRATION PATHWAYS
Canada has different immigration pathways for people who want to move to the country. Here are some of the most common pathways:
Express Entry: This is the most popular means for skilled workers who want to immigrate to Canada. Candidates are assessed based on factors such as their age, language proficiency, education, work experience, and adaptability.
Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs): Each of the different Canadian province and territory have their own PNP, which enables them to nominate individuals with skills and experience that are in demand in their region.
Family Sponsorship: Canadian citizens and permanent residents can act as sponsors for their spouses, common-law partners, dependent children, parents, and grandparents to enable them immigrate to Canada.
Business Immigration: This category is for people who are entrepreneurs, investors, or self-employed who want to start or invest in a business in Canada.
Refugee and Asylum Seekers: Canada also offers asylum to people who are fleeing some form of persecution in their home countries.
It is important to note that each pathway has its own eligibility criteria, processing timelines, and associated fees. Prospective immigrants must carefully consider what pathway is best suited to their profile and consult with a qualified immigration professional for support and guidance.
TEMPORARY WORKERS STATISTICS IN CANADA
According to Statistics Canada, "the number of temporary foreign workers in Canada has fluctuated over the past few years". Here are some key statistics based on available temporary foreign workers data:
In 2018, there were around 470,000 temporary foreign workers in Canada, making up 2.5% of the country's labor force.
In 2019, the number of temporary foreign workers increased to about 491,000, which representing 4.5% increase compared to the previous year.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of temporary foreign workers in Canada declined in 2020 to around 411,000, which was an approximate decrease of 16.3% compared to 2019.
As of September 2021, there were 431,000 temporary foreign workers in Canada, which represents an increase of about 4.8% when compared to 2020.
It's worth noting that these statistics does not consider the other categories of temporary workers, such as those employed through recruitment agencies or those on seasonal jobs. Also, the data for 2021 is only available for the first nine months of the year and may be updated as more data becomes available.
Temporary workers in Canada may work in different jobs categories across different industries. Some of the most common types of jobs that temporary foreign workers are employed in include:
- Agriculture and agri-food: This sector involves jobs like livestock care, crop harvesting, and food processing. Temporary foreign workers are usually hired to fill seasonal labor shortages in this industry.
- Hospitality and tourism: This area includes jobs in hotels, restaurants, and other businesses related with tourism. Temporary workers may either be hired to fill short-term vacancies or to cover only the busy periods.
- Manufacturing: This sector includes jobs in factories and other manufacturing outlets. Temporary workers may be hired to either fill short-term production needs or to cover staff absences due to vacation, illness or other reasons.
- Construction: This sector includes jobs in building and construction, such as electrical work, carpentry, and plumbing. Temporary workers can be hired to fill labor shortages or to work on short-term projects.
- Healthcare: This sector includes jobs in long-term care facilities, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities. Temporary workers can be hired to cover labor shortages or to provide specialized services.
These are just a few examples of the types of jobs that temporary workers can engage in while in Canada. The specific jobs and industries where temporary workers are employed may vary depending on regional labor market needs and various factors.
VISITORS CAN CONTINUE TO APPLY FOR WORK PERMITS INSIDE CANADA WITH TEMPORARY POLICY EXTENDED BY 2 YEARS
.jpeg)
Foreign citizens who are within Canadian territory as visitors and who are able to get a valid job offer will still be able to apply for and get a work permit without having to exit the country. Visitors applying under this government policy who had a work permit within the past 12 months will also continue to be able to apply for interim work authorization to begin working for their new employer more quickly. The previous COVID-era policy which is set to expire 28th February 2023, has been extended by 2 years, until February 28, 2025. Leaving this temporary policy in place gives Canadian employers an option to hire visitors in Canada, as many are facing significant labor shortages during this period of economic expansion.
Prior to this COVID era policy change, those applying for a work permit in Canada would typically need to apply for their initial work permit before they came to Canada. If they were already in Canada with visitor status when their permit were approved, they would need to exit Canada to be issued their work permit. With this new policy in place, leaving Canada isn’t necessary.
To be able to apply, an applicant looking to benefit from this temporary public policy must
have valid status in Canada as a visitor visa holder on the day they apply
have a job offer that is supported by a labor market impact assessment (LMIA) or an offer of employment which is LMIA-exempt
submit an application for an employer-specific work permit no later than February 28, 2025
meet every other standard admissibility criteria
Applicants who currently have visitor status but who have held a valid permit in the past 12 months can follow special instructions to get interim work authorization to start working for their new employer before their work permit application is approved.
To read more information about this latest update from the Canadian government, please click here.
You can also read more about Canada immigration pathways and their respective eligibility criteria here.