NPZ Immigration Law Blog

The Government of Canada recently announced temporary public policy to facilitate the granting of permanent resident status to refugee claimants working in the health care industry during COVID-19 pandemic. This public policy targets foreign nationals who worked in designated occupations providing direct patient care in a hospital, a public or private long term care home, assisted living facility, or an agency providing home or residential health care services.

Based on this public policy, a foreign national with a pending or a failed refugee claimant, made prior to March 13, 2020, is eligible to apply for Permanent Residency. At the time of filing the application, the claimant should also be authorized to work in Canada by virtue of work permit or work permit exemption, for a minimum of 120 hours between March 13, 2020 through August 14, 2020, for a period of six months, and it must be a paid occupation. The designated occupations covered under this policy are registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, allied primary health practitioners and nursing coordinators and supervisors. A refugee claimant who has received a negative result may also be eligible under some exceptions. The public policy is valid through August 31, 2021.

At NPZ, our U.S. and Canadian lawyers seek to assist clients with regard to employment and family immigration issues. If you or your friends or family should have any questions about any aspect of the Canadian Immigration Law, please feel free to contact us at info@visaserve.com or you can call our offices at 201-670-0006 (ext. 104). We look forward to being able to assist you.