Canada's PR to Get Easier for Semi-Skilled Workers | Canada Immigration News

Canada's Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is set to make significant changes to its immigration policy, aiming to simplify the path to permanent residency for semi-skilled workers. The new proposal focuses on creating a permanent economic immigration class for individuals with experience and training at the Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities (TEER) levels 4 and 5.

Modernizing the Economic Immigration System

The IRCC's initiative seeks to modernize Canada's economic immigration system by broadening the scope of eligible candidates. This change is designed to better recognize the contributions of individuals who have gained valuable Canadian work experience but have previously struggled to secure permanent residency.

TEER System Overview

Introduced in 2022, the TEER system updates the National Occupation Classification (NOC) by categorizing jobs into TEER levels rather than the old skill levels. TEER levels 0-3 generally require higher education or apprenticeships, while TEER 4 and 5 jobs need only a high school diploma or short-term training.

Currently, jobs in TEER 4 and 5 are less likely to be eligible for federal economic immigration programs like Express Entry, making it challenging for workers in these roles to become permanent residents. This situation affects many temporary residents, particularly those in low-skilled sectors.

Impact on Temporary Residents

Temporary foreign workers and international students often find themselves in low-skilled positions, which can limit their earnings and slow their economic integration. The proposed amendments aim to ease the transition for those in TEER 4 and 5 jobs, providing them with better opportunities to contribute to the Canadian economy and meet labor market needs.

Next Steps and Indian Workers

The IRCC plans to detail the new class and pathways in the Canada Gazette, Part I, this autumn, followed by Part II. The regulatory changes will not require cooperation from other regulatory bodies. This move is expected to benefit many Indian professionals, who rank among the top recipients of Canadian Permanent Residency. In 2024 alone, around 65,000 PRs were issued to Indian nationals.

The changes will likely make it easier for Indian workers in various fields to transition from temporary to permanent residency. The IRCC will engage in consultations to refine these proposals, allowing stakeholders to provide feedback.

Conclusion

This policy shift represents a significant move towards accommodating semi-skilled workers and addressing the evolving needs of Canada's labor market. The new TEER-based pathway will likely enhance opportunities for those who contribute to Canada's economy through temporary positions.