Processing of refugee claims and appeals for individuals applying under special measure

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On December 9, 2020, the Government of Canada announced that, starting December 14, 2020, it will be accepting applications for permanent residence from pending and unsuccessful refugee claimants who worked in Canada's health care sector and provided direct care to patients during the COVID-19 pandemic

 

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December 9, 2020—Ottawa—Recognizing the considerable contribution and sacrifice health-care workers have made in Canada throughout the pandemic, the Honourable Marco E. L. Mendicino, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced today that on December 14, 2020, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will begin accepting applications for permanent residence from refugee claimants who work in Canada’s health-care sector and provide direct care to patients.

On August 14, 2020, Minister Mendicino announced the Government’s intention to implement this special measure. Two temporary public policies have since been developed—one for refugees living in Canada outside Quebec, and the other for refugee claimants residing in Quebec. Under the Canada-Quebec Accord, Quebec has sole responsibility for the selection of economic immigrants and resettled refugees destined to the province.

 

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Quick facts

• Among other criteria, individuals eligible for consideration under these public policies must
  • be a refugee claimant, with either a failed or pending refugee claim, who claimed asylum before March 13, 2020, and continued to reside in Canada when their application for permanent residence under this public policy was made
  • 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
  • have a Quebec Selection Certificate, if wishing to reside in Quebec, and
  • meet existing admissibility requirements, including those related to criminality, security and health
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• Some refugee claimants would be excluded from applying, including those who have been found ineligible to have their refugee claim referred to the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, or who have withdrawn or abandoned their claims.

 

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Applications will be accepted from December 14, 2020, until August 31, 2021. In-Canada family members of the principal applicant can be included on the application. All applicants will be required to meet existing admissibility requirements, including those related to criminality, security and health.

 

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https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/refugees/healthcare-workers-permanent-residence.html