A new report released by Statistics Canada, “How Temporary Were Canada’s Temporary Foreign Workers”, shows that the number of temporary foreign workers (TFW) who become Canadian permanent residents is on the rise. The report studied TFWs who came to Canada through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) and the International Mobility Program, (IMP). Although most temporary foreign workers leave at the end of their first work permit, the tendency to stay longer has also increased. The duration of the stay of temporary foreign workers in Canada is strictly regulated by their work permit terms. The goal of the TFWP is to fill short-term labour shortage and it is a last resort for employers to fill jobs for which qualified Canadians are not available.
Canada’s Express Entry system facilitates obtaining permanent residence without a job offer, however, to work in Canada as a TFW, a job offer is required. Some of the popular TFW programs are the Live-in Caregiver Program, the Seasonal Agricultural Program, North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) or Intra-Company Transfers.
Canada’s immigration selection system tends to favour candidates who possess higher education, Canadian work experience and official language abilities. Certain work experience gained as a TFW could be eligible under the Canadian Experience Class and towards the Express Entry Comprehensive Ranking System score.
Government policies and regulations set the path for temporary residents remaining in Canada either as temporary or permanent. Each stream of temporary work permits targets specific industries, skill levels or countries involved in international agreements with Canada.
Further information:
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/11f0019m/11f0019m2018402-eng.htm
