While the drop in immigration to Canada was felt across the country in 2020, early signs suggest that most provinces will see their intakes recover by the end of this year.
The coronavirus pandemic caused immigration to Canada to fall to the lowest level since 1998 last year. As a result, Canada welcomed just over 184,000 new immigrants, well short of the 341,000 newcomers it was seeking to welcome in 2020.
Canada got off to a strong start in 2020 before travel restrictions and other COVID-19 disruptions caused newcomer flows to fall beginning in March.
The decline affected each province and territory. However, immigrant settlement patterns were largely unaffected by the pandemic.
In addition to its world-class education system and high standard of living, Canada offers another important advantage to international students: access to a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) after graduation.
The PGWP is an open work permit that can be used to gain Canadian work experience, a valuable asset in obtaining permanent resident (PR) status in Canada.
Gaining work experience in Canada is often a key factor in helping candidates successfully qualify for several immigration programs, including Express Entry and the Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs).
Express Entry is Canada’s primary immigration pathway to PR and it works on a points-based system that takes into account human capital factors. Work experience in Canada gives those who use this route valuable additional points towards their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), making them more competitive in comparison with other potential candidates in the pool.
Key Points
All applications for permanent residency must be submitted
online starting January 26, 2021
The application system is transitioning from paper-based to
fully electronic
Paper applications will no longer be accepted
The changes are designed to digitize Canada s immigration
system and reduce in-person contact
Overview
Individuals who are applying for permanent residency in Canada
through the Quebec Experience Program can now apply online using
the Arrima platform. The changes take effect on January 26,
2021.
What are the Changes?
The Quebec Experience Program application system is changing
from a paper-based application process to an electronic application
process.
Anyone seeking permanent residence status through the Quebec
Applications for the Programme de l’expérience québécoise (PEQ or Quebec Experience Program) can be submitted online as of January 12 through the Arrima platform.
PEQ Applicants can therefore submit their application, pay the required fees and download the required documents through the platform.
Quebec has previously informed applicants that paper-based submissions may be used until January 25, 2021. After that date, it will be mandatory to submit all PEQ applications through an online process and the Quebec Ministry of Immigration will no longer accept any paper applications.
This is not the only program that will undergo this change.
While applicants to the Quebec Foreign Student Program have now been able to submit their applications through the platform since the spring of 2020, they will also be subject to the same mandatory online submission process as of January 26, 2021.