Canadian immigration sets a new record of giving work permits in the year 2022. In the said year, a total of 608,420 Canadian work permits were granted. Approximately, an increase of 200,000 work permits could be witnessed as compared to 2021.

These permits were basically issued under two categories: Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) and International Mobility Program (IMF). Majorly, the occupants were under the IMP program amounting to a sum of 472,070. The remainder fell under TFWP category (136,350).

The number of work permits granted under both categories (TFWP and IMP) have seen an incline annually with special mention to IMP which saw a 55% spike since 2019. However, merely 39% rise could be seen in TFWP work permits since the aforementioned year.

Understanding TFWP and IMP?

Under these programs foreign nationals are issued temporary work permits to live and work in Canada.It is worth to know that these programs are distinct in their own way.

Major distinction being the issuance of LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment) which is a government issued document used for hiring a foreign national due to insufficient labour in Canada.

Typically, LMIA is issued under TFWP category wherein the work permit is treated as ‘employer specific/LMIA-based’. Whereas, the IMP doesn’t require the issuance of LMIA because of its broader scope, also an open work permit is issued under this type.

It helps in assisting with economic, social and cultural policy objectives. IMP consists of programs like Global Talent Stream, International Experience Canada and Significant Benefit work permits.

Provincial Work Permit Holders in descending order under both categories (TFWP and IMP)

• Ontario – 221,280 permits
• British Columbia – 102,845 permits
• Quebec – 89,765 permits
• Alberta – 43,550 permits
• Manitoba – 19,765 permits
• Nova Scotia – 12,645 permits
• Saskatchewan – 10,550 permits
• New Brunswick – 9,640 permits
• Newfoundland and Labrador – 4,210 permits
• Prince Edward Island – 3,840 permits
• Northwest Territories – 260 permits
• Nunavut – 60 permits.

Streams seeing major work permits under IMP category?

• Medical residents and fellows, and post-graduate employment applicants – 36%
• Charitable and religious workers – 29%
• Other IMP participants – 8%
• Spouses of skilled workers – 5%
• Post – Doctoral PHD fellows and award recipients – 4%
• Intra – company transfers – 2%
• Lastly, The International Experience Canada program – 2%

Policy Changes

IRCC has announced indispensable policy changes which must be noted. Firstly, it reported reduced conditions for physicians who want to apply for immigration owing to significant labour shortages of health care and social assistance workers across Canada. Moreover, Canada has also allowed an open work permit for spouses of some skilled workers in order to tackle ongoing labour shortages. Lastly, IRCC has also made an announcement for an increase in intake for the IEC program due to the above-mentioned reason.

Streams seeing major work permits under TFWP category?

• Agriculture workers – 51%
• Other temporary foreign workers with an LMIA – 46%
• Live-in caregivers – 2%

Canada made some policy changes under this category as well to retain and settle the caregivers as a part to address the labour shortages among the health care and social assistance workers by cutting down the work experience eligibility to half for permanent residency.