Canada Aims To Grant Permanent Residency To 90,000 Foreign Students And Workers

OTTAWA– Canada plans to grant permanent residency to over 90,000 foreign students and workers who helped treat patients during the coronavirus pandemic, the immigration minister announced Wednesday.

Canadian Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino said the measure should help Canada reach its target of welcoming more than 400,000 immigrants this year, compensating for a drop in immigration last year when the border was closed, read a news report published in Toronto star.

“Our message to them is simple: Your status may be temporary, but your contributions are lasting — and we want you to stay,” he added.

The 90,000 intakes under the new programme will account for almost a quarter of this year’s overall immigration goal.

It is intended for workers with at least one year of work experience in health care or dozens of other sectors deemed essential — from grocery store cashiers and shelf stockers, to truck drivers and farm workers — as well as graduates who’ve completed a post-secondary degree within the last four years.

The initiative is planned to come into effect from May 6.

SOURCE: GEO NEWS