As of December 14th, 2020, IRCC will accept permanent residence applications from refugee claimants who work in Canada’s healthcare sector and provide direct care to patients. Applications will be accepted from December 14th, 2020, until August 31st, 2021.
Applicants’ internship experience (both paid and unpaid) will be considered, as long as it is an essential part of a post-secondary study program or vocational training program in one of the designated occupations. An internship performed as part of a professional order requirement in one of the designated occupations will also be considered.
Among other criteria, individuals eligible for consideration under these public policies must
- be refugee claimants with either failed or pending refugee claims who claimed asylum before March 13th, 2020;
- have continued to reside in Canada since claiming asylum;
- have been issued a work permit after they made their refugee claim;
- have worked in a designated occupation providing direct patient care: in a hospital, public or private long-term care home or assisted living facility, or for an organization/agency providing home or residential health care to seniors and persons with disabilities in private homes; and
- meet existing admissibility requirements, including those related to criminality, security and health.
Applicants in Quebec must also receive a Quebec Selection Certificate.
In-Canada family members of the principal applicant can be included on the application. Spouses and common-law partners of refugee claimants who have died of COVID-19 who are in Canada and arrived before August 14th, 2020, may also be granted permanent residence under this public policy.
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who have been found ineligible to have their refugee claims referred to the Immigration and Refugee Board, or who have withdrawn or abandoned their claims, are excluded from applying.
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