IRCC Implements Changes In Extensions And Implied Status

COVID-19 pandemic has been impacting Canadian immigration and, IRCC understands that delay in processing time has adversely affected Temporary residents. In the light of issues faced by temporary residents on implied status, Canada has implemented changes in the processing of work permit extensions on October 20, 2020.

If a worker, visitor, or student applies to extend his or her status in Canada before that status expires, he or she may legally remain in Canada until a decision is made on the application. In such a scenario, the person has implied status. The implied status remains until the Government decides on the applicant’s new work/study permit application.

If the applicant applied for a work/study permit extension before their work/study permit expired, they can not only keep working/studying but also avail government benefits, services and other privileges until a decision is made. Applicants must stay in Canada and meet the conditions of their original work/study permit. For instance, if an applicant has an employer-specific work permit, they must still work for the employer named on that permit.

However, availing these services, sometimes becomes difficult for the applicant as they have no written proof of their application being processed by the Canadian Government. The only document they have is the receipt of fee payment and copies of their application which is generally not considered an official document to prove applicant’s status. To avoid this distress and to provide clarity, IRCC has changed the phrasing of their communication to the applicant.

As of October 20, 2020, temporary residents who submit their extension application online through IRCC portal, will receive an auto-generated Acknowledgement of Receipt Letter confirming their existing authority to work/study/stay has been officially extended to a specific date. This letter can act as a proof of authorization and can be attached to applicant’s expired work permit as a verification of their continued legal status in Canada.

Finding a job in Canada

Since the 1990s, immigration has been the main driver of Canada’s population growth. Today, immigration tends to account for the majority of Canada’s labour force growth. This means that Canada will constrain its economic growth potential if it welcomes fewer immigrants.

Canada offers many job opportunities in various exciting fields. To support Canadian economy and to provide stability in the labour market, employers in Canada are increasingly looking beyond their own borders to meet their employment needs. This has led to many immigrants choosing to work in Canada with the promise of fair salaries and excellent quality of life.

Canada needs qualified workers in a wide range of occupations. While finding a job in Canada is not easy, it is possible! Below we share some tips with you to simplify this process. 

Understanding Job Market

We advise you to take some time and understand the Canadian labor market needs. Employers are looking for recent graduates from universities, colleges and trade schools who would like to live and work in Canada and are able to contribute to its thriving economy. Canada has a range of fantastic immigration options such as the Provincial Nominee Program, aimed at helping skilled foreign workers to work in Canada.

If you are an expert in technology, tech jobs are in demand. British Columbia and Ontario have immigration programs focused on inviting highly skilled and experienced foreign tech professionals to live and work in Canada. You should also take into account the average salary, rights as a worker, minimum wage, vacation benefits, social benefits, skills in high demand and the need of Federal/Provincial certification to practice the occupation you are looking for in Canada. 

In-demand jobs in Canada for 2020

 

Job Search 

Job hunting involves more than searching for open positions and sending your resume to employers. You also need to make sure you are a good fit for the job and can catch the hiring manager’s attention.

A job offer from a Canadian employer can significantly increase your chance of being invited to apply for permanent residence. A job offer is also an eligibility criterion for all PNPs and if the Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) is aligned with Express Entry, you can claim additional CRS points with a job letter verification.

Let us narrow things down to a short list of sound, timeless job searching tips that will help you fine-tune your Canadian immigration strategy so that you may sail through the process.

  • Social media is a powerful networking tool where you can explore your connections to identify friends and family residing in Canada or people who can be related with your profession.
  • To learn more about the job market, you can also seek help from professionals working in your field in Canada.
  • Most global job boards and job search engines have local websites in various countries. Along with this there are several Canadian jobs posting websites where you can search for job opportunities in Canada.
  • Canadian workplace culture is far more egalitarian than the cultures in many of the countries, so you should spend some time to research and prepare resumes according to Canadian standards as the first impression counts.
  • While preparing a cover letter and resume make sure to explain why you are right for the job, education, relevant work experience, achievements, and contact information. Also ask your previous employers in your home country to provide references as it can act as a valuable resource in landing you a job in Canada.
  • In the Canadian workplace, interpersonal skills, or soft skills, are often considered even more important than the technical or hard skills. Learning and being aware of these differences, keeping an open mind and not making fast judgments will help you search for the right job. 

Few federal, provincial and local resources can provide information on the Canadian job market and tips on getting the job you want

Canada Alberta British Columbia | Manitoba Nova Scotia | New Brunswick | Newfoundland Labrador | North West Territories | Nunavut OntarioPrince Edward Island | Quebec | Saskatchewan | Yukon | BC Jobs | Alberta Job Centre | Indeed | Eluta Jobs | Monster | Wowjobs | Jobspider | Alljobs | Allstar Jobs | Active Hire | WorkoPolis Simply Hired | Careerbuilder | PayScale | Adzuna | Local Work | AG Careers | Engineering Careers | Glassdoor

Securing a Job Offer and checking its legitimacy 

If you have secured a job offer with a Canadian employer, you are right on track for your immigration journey.  Now you need to confirm that the job offered is either temporary or permanent as immigration process varies for each. You also need to collect some important documents as a proof of legitimacy for your employment like a job offer or a standardized employment contract.

A job offer letter is considered as an important document in immigration process, it is a formal document sent to candidates selected for employment. Job offer letter should include salary and benefits, working hours, description of job duties, it should be printed on the company’s letterhead and signed by both the employer and the employee.

Internet fraud is rampant, and scammers prey on job seekers. Scammers know that finding a job can be tough. To trick people looking for honest work they make optimistic promises about employment, but it is important to understand that a virtual promise may not land you an actual job. Most likely hopeful immigrants fall prey to these scams in their immigration journey as they are unaware that it is illegal to ask prospective employees to pay for a Canadian job or a job offer letter.

So, if you are wondering how you can determine if a job offer is a scam, here are some tip-offs to help you identify fake job offers and avoid job scams:

  • To secure a Canadian job-offer, you should never pay a recruiter or agency. This is the most common sign of a job scam if you are asked to pay a certain amount of money to get a job, some necessary software or for a mandatory paid training.
  • It is a clear warning if you did not contact the company, instead they contacted you with a Canadian job offer. Another warning is when after a quick phone or instant message interview, the interviewer immediately contacts you to offer you the job.
  • Remember that even an entry-level job requires some sort of experience or skills, if the job description is vague and you do not require any skills or experience to get it then it is probably a trap.
  • Job offers containing grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, incorrect punctuation, unprofessional communication, and time bound offers are scam as authentic job offers would not include such errors.
  • No genuine organization will ask for your personal details in the job offer, so if your personal information such as date of birth, social insurance number, driver’s license number, banking information or address is requested in a job offer, more likely than not, it is a scam.
  • If you receive a Canadian job offer, take the time to investigate the company. Ensure to carry out a background check on the organization. Try to obtain the organization’s address, contact information, history and if this information is not present, then be alarmed and proceed with caution.
  • It could be a red flag if the employer provides 100% guarantee of successful immigration to Canada. Be aware that no one can guarantee you entry to Canada except for one of the government’s immigration officers.
  • If you feel a job offer is too good to be true, it probably is, trust your intuition. Ask questions and pay close attention to the answers. Slow the process down and do not be pressured into making a commitment.

We suggest you avoid the temptation to take shortcuts along your immigration journey, they could end up costing you, your dream of one day becoming a Canadian permanent resident.

If you think you are a victim of employment fraud, then do not hesitate to file a complaint with the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) and report the organization to the Better Business Bureau (BBB). You can also report a fraudulent website to Google and report the immigration fraud with the Canada Border Services Agency. 

Come to Canada

You must meet the entry requirements and pass the identity check to enter Canada. You should get your passport stamped, know how long you can stay, and see the entry requirements for your program.

A Canadian job whether temporary or permanent will give you invaluable experience and may act as a foothold for a life in Canada. If your employment offer is temporary then you will receive a temporary work permit, which allows you to come to Canada for a specified period of time as a temporary foreign worker. In this case you will be restricted to work only for the job mentioned on your permit. Once in Canada you need to apply and receive a new work permit if you wish to change employers.

Whereas if your offer of employment is permanent in nature then you can use it as support for a permanent residency application. Full-time Canadian job offers can aid immigration programs like the Federal Skilled Worker Program as they have placed a strict cap on application intake of non-employed candidates.

We would suggest you be aware of the rules and regulations mentioned in your work permit. Make sure you understand them well and comply with these laws to ensure a successful journey in Canada. Apart from this as a Canadian employee you should be vigilant about your rights. The rights of foreign workers in Canada are protected under federal or provincial/territorial labour laws and Canada’s Employment Equity Act.

To help skilled foreign workers find work in Canada, IRCC has implemented various immigration and visa options. Certain occupations such as those in the IT, nursing and medical sectors, transport and farming sectors are not only in high demand but also offer lucrative compensation in specific provinces and territories.

It is important to make an informed decision as this decision could mean the difference between either successful visa application, delayed or worse rejection in your immigration process.

Finding a job offer from a Canadian employer is not the only way to come to Canada. You may also qualify to immigrate to Canada as a landed immigrant without a job offer.

The Impact of Processing Delays on Canadian Businesses

Canada is facing a growing skilled labor crunch and industries are struggling to find qualified workers. The increased processing times of immigration pathways is a problem that is closing doors to new growth and leaving employers open to risk.

According to a survey conducted by The Canadian Employee Relocation Council (CERC), “Unless addressed, increasing processing times are likely to have a negative impact on business operations within the next year.”

A total of 26 organizations that rely on access to international talent to meet talent needs and fill skills gaps were surveyed. Participating organizations were from technology, manufacturing, government /health care/ education, natural resources, and construction/engineering services. 44 % of participating organizations report using economic immigration programs to access temporary residence workers.

Primarily, 74% of participating companies used Express Entry and CUSMA professional pathways to hire foreign nationals while 67% used PNP immigration pathways. All participating organizations agreed to the importance of international talent to their businesses, while 70% strongly agreed to their contributions.

In the survey, as an impact of processing impediments 83 % of organizations stated that canceled and or delayed projects are the most common consequence of the delays, almost two-thirds expect the delays to result in lost revenues and 30% stated they had to face penalties for not meeting contractual obligations. The unprecedented labor shortage is forcing organizations to hire ill-suited candidates, resulting in foregone opportunities that impede businesses’ ability to compete.

This lack of skilled labor and halt in the international mobility of temporary foreign workers is increasing the labor market gap, businesses are facing a labor shortage and the demand for skills across many sectors is on the rise. The survey sheds light on global talent access via immigration and international mobility programs, the top three skills accessed are 93% of skilled workers, 85 % executive management, and 67 % engineering staff. Nonetheless, the demand for non-degreed professionals and technical staff is growing, though the lack of education makes it difficult to access their talent.

The survey also highlighted that apart from ongoing challenges faced by IRCC, the continued closure of Consulates, High Commissions and VAC abroad has had a great impact as temporary foreign workers cannot complete biometrics in their home country.

With a dearth of new talent pools and retiring workforce, Canada should take actions to expedite processing of applications. The survey questioned respondents if they would pay an additional fee for expedited processing of applications and 89% of respondents said they would be willing to pay between 10% and 25% above current processing fees for expedited processing as for Skilled labor shortage has become the most pressing need of their organizations.

Canadian immigration policy ranked fourth in the world

The Migration Integration Policy Index (MIPEX) released its international scorecard, which ranks the immigration policy performance of 52 countries across five continents, after measuring eight areas of integration policies through categorical Principal Component Analysis. The top five countries hitting the international benchmark are Sweden, Finland, Portugal, Canada, and New Zealand.

Canada stood fourth and received a score of 80, in recognition of its comprehensive, immigrant-friendly policies that emphasize equal rights, opportunities, and security for the newcomer’s future. Canada ranked sixth overall in the last MIPEX index held in 2015. Due to improvements in access to healthcare for asylum seekers and improvements to the 2017 Citizenship Act, the overall score of Canada increased by two points.

According to MIPEX research report, integration policies come into view as one of the strongest factors shaping both the public’s willingness to accept and interact with immigrants and the immigrants own behavior, sense of belonging, participation in the job market, and educational opportunities.

Anti-discrimination policies are the greatest strength of Canada according to the report. This is because Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedom encompasses multiculturalism supportive policies, and world-leading laws which result in high level of awareness, trust, and discrimination reporting.

Canada gained points as permanent residents can have the opportunity to attain citizenship, and gain voting rights faster than other countries. However, lack of permanent resident representatives in policy-setting bodies led to deduction in points as people without citizenship status, such as permanent residents, have limited opportunity for political participation at the local or national level. The report also states that Canada is less experimental in local democracy consultative structures.

The report mentions Canada’s family reunification policies as “favorable” and highlights that greater obstacles are faced by adult children, parents, and grandparents to reunite in Canada as opposed to top ten countries.

Canada’s Labor market mobility has room for improvement and potential to learn from other countries, as limited health care facilities can be availed by migrants without legal documents. Canada also lost points as permanent residency pathway is lengthy and frustrating process for most of the temporary foreign workers.

Canadian education system fetched points for its multicultural education policies that ensure safety, security, and equality in academic institutes. Canada faced limitations as better representation is needed across the curriculum, teaching profession, and higher education.

New online PR confirmation portal expedites process for newcomers

In the interest of public safety during the coronavirus pandemic, Canada is using a new online portal to confirm permanent resident status. This new electronic process was introduced in October on a trial run, to expedite the landing process for new permanent residents.

Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited developed this new, secure portal for Canada. This portal is different from an IRCC account and applicants can access the portal using supported browsers like Chrome, Firefox, or Edge.

This secure portal offers services to share personal information, declare that applicant is in Canada, confirm address, submit recent photo for PR card, and access proof of permanent resident (PR) status. This portal does not offer services to check the status of application.

In this new electronic portal, everyone has their own separate account profile, with distinctive username and passwords. This portal can be accessed only by the applicant, representatives cannot use the portal on behalf of the applicant. 

Working of the portal

Step 1 

If an application is approved by IRCC, they contact the applicant via email to invite the applicant to use the new online portal. The principal applicant needs to submit their own email address and all email addresses of other members in the application.

Step 2

After receiving these details, IRCC will create an account for the applicant as the portal does not allow applicants to create a profile for themselves.

Step 3

Then the applicant will confirm the details mentioned in the account. Later IRCC will send another email with a link to the portal and guidelines on how to sign in the account, with a unique username and temporary password.

Step 4

Applicants can now login for the first time and create their own password. Applicants could confirm that they are currently in Canada, update home or postal address, and upload digital/ scanned photos.

Step 5

IRCC will review and accept the photo if it meets the requirements. Applicants can check if the photo is accepted or not on the portal. If the photo is returned, the applicant can resubmit a new photo into the portal. Common reasons for photos to be returned are dark pictures, flare, improper visibility of facial features, and wrong format.

Step 6

Once the photo is accepted, applicants will receive a Permanent Resident card within one week at their mailing address inside Canada.

If any issue arises throughout the PR card process, IRCC will contact the applicant directly. If the applicant is unable to login the portal, they can contact IRCC via email mentioned in the invitation message.