Foreign nationals with a valid COPR issued on or before March 18, 2020 were exempt from Canada’s travel restrictions under previous rules. Those with a valid COPR granted after March 18, 2020, could only enter Canada if they met another exemption or were relocating permanently to Canada from the United States.

Due to travel limits or other COVID-19-related issues, many candidates were unable to enter Canada before their COPRs expired.

Individuals with expired COPRs should not book flights or attempt to go to Canada until IRCC issues them a new COPR.

More information on when and how to receive a new COPR will be published on the IRCC website soon for applicants with expired COPRs issued after March 18, 2020.

Upon arrival in Canada, all visitors, including those granted permanent residency, must comply with the COVID-19 health measures and standards.

Read the full article here.

The Canadian
government announced
last week that it would open up new pathways to permanent residence for
essential workers and international graduates in Canada.

Key Points:

• To be eligible for one of the new streams, applicants must
  1. Have at least one year of experience in a healthcare or other pre-approved essential profession or
  2. Have completed an eligible Canadian post-secondary program within the last four years (not before January 2017).

• Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (IRCC) will begin accepting applications on May 6, 2021, as follows:
  • Up to 20,000 applications for temporary workers in health care.
  • Up to 30,000 applications for temporary workers in other selected essential occupations.
  • Up to 40,000 applications for international students who graduated from a Canadian institution.

• The streams will remain open until 5th November 2021, or until they have reached their numerical limit, whichever occurs first.

• IRCC will also open up permanent residence streams for French-speaking essential workers and recent graduates outside of Quebec who meet similar eligibility requirements.

• Additional information on the stream for French-speaking essential workers is available here. Additional information on the stream for French-speaking international graduates is available here.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced that it will no longer automatically extend deadlines for submitting supporting documents required for citizenship, permanent residence and temporary residence applications.

Previously, IRCC had automatically extended these deadlines because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Most IRCC offices, visa application centers (VACs) around the world, and application support centers (ASCs) in the United States have reopened, however, and many applicants are now able to provide the required supporting documentation. IRCC will consider extensions on a case-by-case basis.

Key Points:
• Applicants should start collecting supporting information as IRCC resumes the processing of in-progress applications.
• IRCC will continue to provide deadline extensions to applicants who are unable to provide required documentation because of disruptions related to COVID-19.
• Applicants should not travel to another city or country to obtain required documentation. As long as applicants provide a reasonable explanation about how a COVID-19 disruption has affected their ability to meet the deadline, IRCC will provide an additional 30-day extension.

In-progress applications

IRCC said that in the coming months it will contact citizenship, permanent residence and temporary residence applicants to request supporting documentation or a reasonable explanation of how COVID-19-related disruptions continue to make it difficult to obtain the required documentation.

From the point at which IRCC contacts them, applicants will have 30 days to

(1) submit the missing documentation

or

(2) request an extension with a reasonable explanation about how a COVID-19 disruption has affected their ability to meet the deadline.

For applications with missing medical exams or biometrics, the IRCC will generally consider 30 days a reasonable amount of time to complete the exam or provide biometrics. Officers may consider extensions in cases where they determine that medical exams or biometrics appointments are not available in an applicant’s region.

New applications

Applications received on or after April 12, 2021, must be submitted with

(1) all required supporting documents

or

(2) reasonable explanation with proof why the applicant cannot obtain the document in question at this time.

Skilled Nominated (Permanent) visa (subclass 190) 

• 133211 – Engineering Manager 
• 134211 – Medical Administrator 
• 134212 – Nursing Clinical Director 
• 134214 – Welfare Centre Manager 
• 233211 – Civil Engineer 
• 233212 – Geotechnical Engineer 
• 233214 – Structural Engineer 
• 233215 – Transport Engineer 
• 233511 – Industrial Engineer 
• 233512 – Mechanical Engineer 
• 233513 – Production or Plant Engineer 
• 233911 – Aeronautical Engineer 
• 233913 – Biomedical Engineer 
• 233916 – Naval Architect 
• 233999 – Engineering Professionals nec 
• 254411 – Nurse Practitioner 
• 254412 – Registered Nurse (Aged Care) 
• 254413 – Registered Nurse (Child and Family Health) 
• 254414 – Registered Nurse (Community Health) 
• 254415 – Registered Nurse (Critical Care and Emergency) 
• 254417 – Registered Nurse (Disability and Rehabilitation) 
• 254418 – Registered Nurse (Medical) 
• 254421 – Registered Nurse (Medical Practice) 
• 254422 – Registered Nurse (Mental Health) 
• 254423 – Registered Nurse (Perioperative) 
• 254424 – Registered Nurse (Surgical) 
• 254425 – Registered Nurse (Paediatric) 
• 254499 – Registered Nurses nec 
• 261111 – ICT business Analyst 
• 261112 – Systems Analyst 
• 261311 – Analyst Programmer 
• 261312 – Developer Programmer 
• 261313 – Software Engineer 
• 262112 – ICT Security Specialist 
• 263111 – Computer Network and Systems Engineer 
• 312211 – Civil Engineering Draftsperson 
• 312212 – Civil Engineering Technician 
• 312311 – Electrical Engineering Draftsperson 
• 312312 – Electrical Engineering Technician 
• 312999 – Building and Engineering Technicians nec 

Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) 

Central Coast

• 233211 Civil Engineer
• 233212 Geotechnical Engineer
• 233214 Structural Engineer
• 233215 Transport Engineer
• 233511 Industrial Engineer
• 233512 Mechanical Engineer
• 233513 Production or Plant Engineer
• 254412 Registered Nurse (Aged Care)
• 254418 Registered Nurse (Medical)
• 254422 Registered Nurse (Mental Health)
• 261311 Analyst Programmer
• 261312 Developer Programmer
• 261313 Software Engineer
• 263111 Computer Network and Systems Engineer
• 312211 Civil Engineering Draftsperson
• 312212 Civil Engineering Technician

Central West

• 233211 Civil Engineer
• 233212 Geotechnical Engineer
• 233512 Mechanical Engineer
• 233999 Engineering Professionals nec
• 254412 Registered Nurse (Aged Care)
• 254415 Registered Nurse (Critical Care and Emergency)
• 254418 Registered Nurse (Medical)
• 254424 Registered Nurse (Surgical)
• 254499 Registered Nurses nec
• 261311 Analyst Programmer
• 261312 Developer Programmer
• 261313 Software Engineer
• 263111 Computer Network and Systems Engineer

Far South Coast

• 133211 Engineering Manager
• 233211 Civil Engineer
• 233215 Transport Engineer
• 233511 Industrial Engineer
• 233512 Mechanical Engineer
• 254411 Nurse Practitioner
• 254412 Registered Nurse (Aged Care)
• 254413 Registered Nurse (Child and Family Health)
• 254414 Registered Nurse (Community Health)
• 254415 Registered Nurse (Critical Care and Emergency)
• 254418 Registered Nurse (Medical)
• 254424 Registered Nurse (Surgical)
• 254499 Registered Nurses nec
• 261313 Software Engineer
• 263111 Computer Network and Systems Engineer

Far West

• 133211 Engineering Manager
• 233211 Civil Engineer
• 233212 Geotechnical Engineer
• 233214 Structural Engineer
• 233512 Mechanical Engineer
• 233912 Agricultural Engineer
• 233999 Engineering Professionals nec
• 254411 Nurse Practitioner
• 254412 Registered Nurse (Aged Care)
• 254413 Registered Nurse (Child and Family Health)
• 254414 Registered Nurse (Community Health)
• 254415 Registered Nurse (Critical Care and Emergency)
• 254416 Registered Nurse (Developmental Disability)
• 254417 Registered Nurse (Disability and Rehabilitation)
• 254418 Registered Nurse (Medical)
• 254421 Registered Nurse (Medical Practice)
• 254422 Registered Nurse (Mental Health)
• 254424 Registered Nurse (Surgical)
• 254425 Registered Nurse (Paediatric)
• 254499 Registered Nurses nec
• 263111 Computer Network and Systems Engineer
• 312211 Civil Engineering Draftsperson
• 312999 Building and Engineering Technicians nec

Hunter

• 133211 Engineering Manager
• 233211 Civil Engineer
• 233212 Geotechnical Engineer
• 233214 Structural Engineer
• 233215 Transport Engineer
• 233511 Industrial Engineer
• 233512 Mechanical Engineer
• 233513 Production or Plant Engineer
• 233911 Aeronautical Engineer
• 233912 Agricultural Engineer
• 233913 Biomedical Engineer
• 233916 Naval Architect
• 233999 Engineering Professionals nec
• 254411 Nurse Practitioner
• 254412 Registered Nurse (Aged Care)
• 254413 Registered Nurse (Child and Family Health)
• 254414 Registered Nurse (Community Health)
• 254415 Registered Nurse (Critical Care and Emergency)
• 254416 Registered Nurse (Developmental Disability)
• 254417 Registered Nurse (Disability and Rehabilitation)
• 254418 Registered Nurse (Medical)
• 254421 Registered Nurse (Medical Practice)
• 254422 Registered Nurse (Mental Health)
• 254423 Registered Nurse (Perioperative)
• 254424 Registered Nurse (Surgical)
• 254425 Registered Nurse (Paediatric)
• 254499 Registered Nurses nec
• 261311 Analyst Programmer
• 261312 Developer Programmer
• 261313 Software Engineer
• 263111 Computer Network and Systems Engineer
• 312211 Civil Engineering Draftsperson
• 312212 Civil Engineering Technician
• 312999 Building and Engineering Technicians nec

Illawarra

• 233512 Mechanical Engineer
• 254411 Nurse Practitioner
• 254412 Registered Nurse (Aged Care)
• 254416 Registered Nurse (Developmental Disability)
• 254417 Registered Nurse (Disability and Rehabilitation)

Mid North Coast

• 254411 Nurse Practitioner
• 254412 Registered Nurse (Aged Care)
• 254413 Registered Nurse (Child and Family Health)
• 254414 Registered Nurse (Community Health)
• 254415 Registered Nurse (Critical Care and Emergency)
• 254416 Registered Nurse (Developmental Disability)
• 254417 Registered Nurse (Disability and Rehabilitation)
• 254418 Registered Nurse (Medical)
• 254421 Registered Nurse (Medical Practice)
• 254422 Registered Nurse (Mental Health)
• 254423 Registered Nurse (Perioperative)
• 254424 Registered Nurse (Surgical)
• 254425 Registered Nurse (Paediatric)
• 254499 Registered Nurses nec

Northern Inland

• 133211 Engineering Manager
• 233211 Civil Engineer
• 233212 Geotechnical Engineer
• 233512 Mechanical Engineer
• 233912 Agricultural Engineer
• 254412 Registered Nurse (Aged Care)
• 254413 Registered Nurse (Child and Family Health)
• 254414 Registered Nurse (Community Health)
• 254415 Registered Nurse (Critical Care and Emergency)
• 254417 Registered Nurse (Disability and Rehabilitation)
• 254421 Registered Nurse (Medical Practice)
• 254422 Registered Nurse (Mental Health)
• 254424 Registered Nurse (Surgical)
• 254499 Registered Nurses nec
• 261311 Analyst Programmer
• 261312 Developer Programmer
• 312212 Civil Engineering Technician

Northern Rivers

• 254411 Nurse Practitioner
• 254412 Registered Nurse (Aged Care)
• 254413 Registered Nurse (Child and Family Health)
• 254414 Registered Nurse (Community Health)
• 254415 Registered Nurse (Critical Care and Emergency)
• 254416 Registered Nurse (Developmental Disability)
• 254417 Registered Nurse (Disability and Rehabilitation)
• 254418 Registered Nurse (Medical)
• 254421 Registered Nurse (Medical Practice)
• 254422 Registered Nurse (Mental Health)
• 254423 Registered Nurse (Perioperative)
• 254424 Registered Nurse (Surgical)
• 254425 Registered Nurse (Paediatric)
• 254499 Registered Nurses nec

Riverina

• 133211 Engineering Manager
• 233211 Civil Engineer
• 233212 Geotechnical Engineer
• 233214 Structural Engineer
• 233215 Transport Engineer
• 233511 Industrial Engineer
• 233512 Mechanical Engineer
• 233513 Production or Plant Engineer
• 233911 Aeronautical Engineer
• 233912 Agricultural Engineer
• 233913 Biomedical Engineer
• 233999 Engineering Professionals nec
• 254411 Nurse Practitioner
• 254412 Registered Nurse (Aged Care)
• 254413 Registered Nurse (Child and Family Health)
• 254414 Registered Nurse (Community Health)
• 254415 Registered Nurse (Critical Care and Emergency)
• 254416 Registered Nurse (Developmental Disability)
• 254417 Registered Nurse (Disability and Rehabilitation)
• 254418 Registered Nurse (Medical)
• 254421 Registered Nurse (Medical Practice)
• 254422 Registered Nurse (Mental Health)
• 254423 Registered Nurse (Perioperative)
• 254424 Registered Nurse (Surgical)
• 254425 Registered Nurse (Paediatric)
• 254499 Registered Nurses nec
• 261311 Analyst Programmer
• 261312 Developer Programmer
• 261313 Software Engineer
• 263111 Computer Network and Systems Engineer
• 312211 Civil Engineering Draftsperson
• 312212 Civil Engineering Technician
• 312999 Building and Engineering Technicians nec

Southern Inland (including Murray)

• 133211 Engineering Manager
• 233211 Civil Engineer
• 233212 Geotechnical Engineer
• 233214 Structural Engineer
• 233215 Transport Engineer
• 233511 Industrial Engineer
• 233512 Mechanical Engineer
• 233513 Production or Plant Engineer
• 233912 Agricultural Engineer
• 233913 Biomedical Engineer
• 233999 Engineering Professionals nec
• 254411 Nurse Practitioner
• 254412 Registered Nurse (Aged Care)
• 254413 Registered Nurse (Child and Family Health)
• 254414 Registered Nurse (Community Health)
• 254415 Registered Nurse (Critical Care and Emergency)
• 254416 Registered Nurse (Developmental Disability)
• 254417 Registered Nurse (Disability and Rehabilitation)
• 254418 Registered Nurse (Medical)
• 254421 Registered Nurse (Medical Practice)
• 254422 Registered Nurse (Mental Health)
• 254423 Registered Nurse (Perioperative)
• 254424 Registered Nurse (Surgical)
• 254425 Registered Nurse (Paediatric)
• 254499 Registered Nurses nec
• 261311 Analyst Programmer
• 261312 Developer Programmer
• 261313 Software Engineer
• 263111 Computer Network and Systems Engineer
• 312211 Civil Engineering Draftsperson
• 312212 Civil Engineering Technician
• 312999 Building and Engineering Technicians nec

Sydney

• 233211 Civil Engineer
• 233214 Structural Engineer
• 233512 Mechanical Engineer
• 254411 Nurse Practitioner
• 254499 Registered Nurses nec

Singapore is moving to tighten work authorization requirements, including making changes to minimum salaries and the duration for which jobs must be advertised. The changes are being undertaken in part because of the continuing economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The changes to salary requirements are as follows:

*Minimum salary requirements will also increase for applicants with more experience. Minimum salary requirements for applicants who are above 40 will be about double the minimum monthly salary. 

Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL)

The Department of Home Affairs has announced a new Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL), which will provide visa holders nominated in 17 select occupations an exemption to the current travel ban into Australia. The department will priority process TSS visa applications in these nominated occupations over other applications. The new PMSOL will allow workers to travel to Australia to fill urgent skills needs in critical sectors, providing additional support to the health industry and aiding Australia’s economic recovery.

The occupations on the PMSOL are in health care, construction and the IT sectors and include:

• Chief Executive or Managing Director (111111)
• Construction Project Manager (133111)
• Mechanical Engineer (233512)
• General Practitioner (253111)
• Resident Medical Officer (253112)
• Psychiatrist (253411)
• Medical Practitioner nec (253999)
• Midwife (254111)
• Registered Nurse (Aged Care) (254412)
• Registered Nurse (Critical Care and Emergency) (254415)
• Registered Nurse (Medical) (254418)
• Registered Nurse (Mental Health) (254422)
• Registered Nurse (Perioperative) (254423)
• Registered Nurses nec (254499)
• Developer Programmer (261312)
• Software Engineer (261313)
• Maintenance Planner (312911).

If your occupation is listed above, you may be eligible. Find out now!