Special Measures for Refugee Claimants Working in Healthcare During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Certain refugee claimants working in healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic are eligible to apply for permanent residence.

To be eligible, individuals must:

• have claimed asylum before March 13th, 2020;
• have been issued a work permit after making the asylum claim;
• have worked in the health-care sector in health institutions (for example, hospitals, long-term care
• homes, home care through an organization or agency, assisted living facilities);
• have worked in a designated occupation for at least 120 hours between March 13th, 2020 and August 14th, 2020;
• demonstrate six months’ experience in the designated occupation before being granted permanent residence and acquire his experience by August 31st, 2021; and
• meet existing admissibility requirements, including those related to criminality, security, and health.

The designated occupations that are included in this special measure are orderlies, nurses, nurses’ aides and patient service associates, assistant orderlies and certain home support workers. Applicants wishing to reside in Quebec must also have a Quebec Selection Certificate.

Refugee claimants who have been found ineligible to have their refugee claims referred to the Immigration and Refugee Board, or who have withdrawn or abandoned their claims, are excluded from applying.

Source: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/2020/08/pathway-to-permanent-residency-recognizes-exceptional-service-of-asylum-claimants-on-front-lines-of-covid-19-pandemic.html