In August 2024, Canada’s federal government announced plans to introduce a permanent residence pathway for workers in TEER 4 and 5 occupations. While initially, it appeared the pathway would operate similarly to the Canadian Experience Class, new developments suggest this plan is no longer part of the government’s economic immigration strategy.
Background:
Workers in TEER 4 and 5 roles generally rely on provincial nominations to immigrate to Canada. The proposed direct pathway to permanent residence was a significant step towards providing more opportunities for workers in these lower-skilled jobs. However, the announcement from Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has been removed from the website, and there has been no further mention of the program in the federal government’s future immigration plans.
Moreover, the government has reduced the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) targets for 2025-2027 by 50%, making it more challenging for workers in TEER 4 and 5 roles already in Canada to transition to permanent residence.
What Happened?
In this case, the real question is what hasn’t happened. Despite the initial announcement last year, there has been no further discussion or updates from the government regarding the program.
Why the Change?
While the government has not provided an official explanation, there are speculations. An opinion piece by The Globe and Mail suggested that lower-skilled workers often occupy lower-wage jobs, which might not align with Canada’s economic immigration goals. There is also ongoing debate within Canada about low-wage roles and the challenge of making these positions more attractive to Canadian workers, especially given the relatively high unemployment rate in the country.
Permanent Residence Options for TEER 4 and 5 Workers
For workers in TEER 4 and 5 occupations who don’t qualify for category-based draws, the options for permanent residence remain limited. However, there are still a few pathways to explore:
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Learning French: By qualifying for the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot, you can increase your chances of immigration. You can also access a discount on French language classes with Focus Frame French using the code M2C at checkout.
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Moving to Regional Areas: Some regional areas are actively attracting PNP nominations. Ensure you’re eligible for these opportunities, or look into the Rural Community Immigration Pilot.
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Temporary Resident Options: Consider continuing as a temporary resident through LMIA-supported or LMIA-exempt work permits.
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Family Sponsorship: If you are married to or in a common-law relationship with a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, you may be eligible to apply through the family class.
For more details and updates, we’ll continue to monitor the situation closely and share new information as it becomes available
