The past two years have been challenging with closed borders, backlogs due to COVID-19 and long processing times. IRCC implemented temporary policies and programs to retain temporary workers inside Canada, often at the expense of temporary workers who are outside Canada. In 2021 IRCC launched several new portals for visa and PR applications. PR paper-based applications can now be submitted online and approved PR applicants can land virtually via the PR portal.
What does the new year have in store? One concrete plan has already been announced: the Atlantic Immigration Program. Other announcements will follow suit. Programs as the RNIP where communities and employers work together with IRCC to bring in workers that are needed and TR to PR Pathways where workers and students will have better opportunities to stay in Canada as Permanent Residents are to be expected. Last but not least we expect that family members will also get more opportunities to reunite with their spouse or parent in Canada.
When to expect these new programs and measures? That is hard to tell, but after reading the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Mandate Letter I am hopeful for 2022.
Catharina Tuit is member of The College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants
