Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is planning to introduce a new pathway for permanent residency targeting workers with intermediate or semi-skilled experience. This initiative would involve modifications to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

The government’s objective is to diversify the pool of immigrants by including individuals with varied skill sets and backgrounds. More information about the eligibility criteria for this new category will be disclosed later this year.

Canada’s TEER System and Its Effects

In 2022, Canada launched the TEER system to classify occupations based on the required education and training. Jobs requiring higher education or specific apprenticeship training are classified under TEER levels 0-3, while roles that need only a high school diploma or on-the-job training fall under TEER levels 4 and 5.

Currently, individuals in TEER 4 and 5 jobs often struggle to secure permanent residency through federal immigration programs like Express Entry. This has led to a growing number of temporary residents in Canada.

Many new arrivals to Canada find themselves in lower-skilled roles, particularly in sectors such as hospitality and retail. This pattern is especially prevalent among temporary foreign workers and international students, leading to lower wages and challenges in establishing economic stability in Canada.

Canada’s Strategy to Reduce Temporary Residency through Permanent Options

IRCC is taking proactive measures to reduce the number of temporary residents in the country. This includes developing new pathways to permanent residency for workers in lower-skilled occupations (TEER 4 and 5).

The temporary resident population reached a historic peak of over 2 million in 2023, a figure that has become challenging for Canada’s economy to sustain. To manage this, IRCC has set limits on international student applications and plans to incorporate temporary resident levels into its upcoming immigration strategy.

The government is also emphasizing permanent residency for individuals already living and working in Canada by increasing domestic Express Entry draws. This approach aims to meet immigration targets while simultaneously reducing the temporary resident population.

Essentially, Canada is focusing on converting its existing temporary residents into permanent ones rather than relying solely on bringing in new workers from abroad.

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