Last Updated on December 10, 2020

Canada will begin accepting permanent residence applications on Monday December 14 from refugee claimants who helped care for patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Two new public policies were published on Wednesday December 9 outlining the details of the new pathways to permanent residence, which were originally announced on August 14.

The public policies include one for refugee claimants who work in care homes outside Quebec, and one for those who work in the French-speaking province.

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COVID-19: Pathway to Permanent Residence for Asylum Seekers in Canada’s Care Homes

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The policies also cover the spouses and common-law partners of refugee claimants who died after contracting COVID-19, provided they are in Canada and arrived before August 14, 2020.

Under both policies, applicants must submit an application for permanent residence to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). 

“Today, we recognize the dedication of the many asylum seekers who have raised their hand to serve as we live through a unique and unprecedented situation,” said federal Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino. 

“Canadians are appreciative of asylum seekers and the work they are doing during the pandemic. Thanks to this special measure, we are recognizing their significant contribution by providing them with a more secure future in Canada.”

Applicants from outside Quebec will be granted permanent residence directly, provided they meet requirements.

Applications from within Quebec will initially be assessed by the IRCC, and then by the Quebec Ministry of Immigration, Francisation and Integration (MIFI). If they meet both federal and provincial requirements, they will be issued a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ) and then be granted permanent residence by IRCC.

Quebec Immigration Minister Nadine Girault said: “The purpose of the special program for asylum seekers during the COVID-19 period is to recognize the exceptional contribution of asylum seekers who worked on the front line, with people who were sick and with our seniors, during the first wave of the health crisis.”

Applications are open from December 14, 2020 until August 31, 2021.  In-Canada family members of the principal applicant can be included on the application. 

Important Criteria of New Public Policies

Candidates must:

• Be a refugee claimant, with either a failed or pending 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.
• Meet existing admissibility requirements, including those related to criminality, security and health.

Designated Occupations for New Public Policies

• 3011 – Nursing co-ordinators and supervisors.
• 3012 – Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses.
• 3233 – Licensed practical nurses.
• 3413 – Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates.
• 3124 – Allied primary health practitioners.

Other Designated Occupations

• 4412 – Home support workers, housekeepers and related occupations only.

Under NOC 4412, housekeepers and related occupations are excluded from the public policies.

To be eligible under NOC code 4412:

The applicant must provide basic personal care and offer physical assistance to patients in some or all of these duties:

• Provide care and companionship for individuals and families during periods of incapacitation, convalescence or family disruption.
• Administer bedside and personal care to clients.
• May perform duties such as changing non-sterile dressings, assisting in the administration of medications and collecting specimens.

Other duties may include:

• Plan and prepare meals and special diets, and feed or assist in feeding clients.
• Perform routine housekeeping duties such as laundry, washing dishes and making beds.