Planning to move to Canada? Permanent residence fees to increase starting April 30
Listen up, Pinoys who want to migrate to Canada: fees for all permanent residence applications—including economic, permit holder, family, and humanitarian classes—are increasing on April 30.
The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) Applications announced the price hike on April 5, two years after it increased permanent residence fees in 2020 to account for inflation. It also said that fees would inflate every two years.
The IRCC also provided the new fee list, which sees up to $50 increase between current and new permanent residence fees.
The permanent residence fee is a must-pay for applicants who want to be granted permanent residence status in Canada. Once paid, applicants gain rights to receive health care coverage and other social benefits. They can also live, work, or study anywhere in the country and apply for Canadian citizenship.
Considered the sixth safest country in the world, Canada has relatively low levels of crime, and locals are the most accepting of migrants. It also boasts an excellent economy with plenty of job opportunities and universal healthcare.
The Ministry of Employment and Social Development Canada also recently adjusted its Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) program, giving several provinces permission to hire temporary foreign workers until 2024. The country is in need of about a million workers to compensate for a serious labor shortage.
Starting April 30, employers will be allowed to hire up to 30% of their workforce through the TFW program. Sectors such as Accommodation and Food Services, Health Care and Social Assistance, Retail Trade, and Manufacturing have vacancies in the hundred thousands, according to Statistics Canada.
Filipinos looking to fill those vacancies are at a unique advantage in applying for these jobs as they speak English. In addition, the country has bilateral labor agreements with Ontario, Quebec, and Alberta where overseas Filipino workers have settled since 20004.
The Philippine Overseas Employment Agency also has accredited several licensed recruitment agencies for the available jobs where placement fees are not allowed.