Toronto migrant regularization program extended for six months
A chance for those involved in the construction industry.
Immigration Canada has announced the extension of a special program to regularize migrants without official status in the Greater Toronto Area. It applies to working migrants who have violated the country's migration laws and have been in Canada for a long time without official status.
The program was launched in 2020, and in 2023 it was extended to January 2, 2024 and expanded to 1,000 applications. It has now been extended until July 2, 2024.
To participate, you must meet the following requirements:
- have proof of legal entry into Canada (residence permit);
- have been living in Canada for at least 5 years;
- meet the requirements of the Canadian Labor Congress and get a referral letter;
- to work without a work permit in the construction industry in the Greater Toronto Area;
- have proof of 3 years full-time construction experience within the last 5 years;
- have a family member with Canadian citizen or permanent resident status;
- not be inadmissible (except for reasons related to migration status).
Family members of an irregular migrant — whether in Canada or outside of Canada — are also eligible to apply under this program.
IRCC will process all applications received from July 30, 2021 through the end of July 2, 2024. The program may close earlier if the limit of 1,000 principal applicants (excluding family members) is reached before that date.
The issuance of permanent residence to illegal migrants in 2023 was discussed by Immigration Minister Marc Miller. He said he is developing a similar program for working immigrants without official status that would apply across Canada. The program is being developed by Miller himself, and he plans to introduce it in the spring of 2024.
