4-Point Action Plan to Protect Your Canada Dream from the Immigration Application Backlog

4-Point Action Plan to Protect Your Canada Dream from the Immigration Application Backlog

How did Canada become the preferred immigration destination for skilled workers across the world?

Students, skilled workers, and entrepreneurs preferred to study, work, or immigrate to Canada due to its pro-immigration government policies, transparent and merit-centric immigration programs, no quotas or caps or limits, and quick processing of applications.

However, the combination of Canada’s popularity among immigrants and the massive disruptions caused by the pandemic has led to a significant backlog of immigration applications in Canada.

As per latest data, backlog of applications that are pending processing has risen from 1.813 million to 1.844 million in just three months between December 21 and March 22.

The government is aware of the problem and has taken a number of measures including more funding to immigration authorities to clear the backlog. However, numbers are unlikely to improve significantly anytime in the near future because Canada’s facing a huge shortage of skilled workers due to reopening of the economy after the pandemic.

So, how can you ensure the immigration backlog does not hamper your dream of studying, working, or settling in Canada?

Plan for the Worst-Case Scenario

The smartest strategy to is to presume that Canada will have to process and decide on 2 million applications before processing your study permit or work permit application.

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Having the worst-case scenario as your base setup will help you avoid negative surprises. Also, this will help you identify the safest timelines. The last thing you need is to join college late simply because your study permit application was not processed in time. Or lose a job offer simply because delayed work permit processing made it impossible for you to join quickly.

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Keeping the worst-case scenario in mind will help you avoid unnecessary delays. Further, it will force you to have a clear strategy from the very beginning. This means your PGWP application would be ready to go as soon as you graduate. Or your PR application will enter the system as soon as you are sure about your eligibility.

Zero Mistakes

Nothing could be worse than waiting for months for your application to be processed only to find that an error in your application has sent it back to the start of the line. At a time when employers are struggling to fill vacancies, seeing your work permit get delayed because of an error in your application can be extremely frustrating.

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Obviously, you need to make sure there are zero mistakes or error in your Canada study, work, or permanent residence application. Check your language test results and make sure it will be valid throughout the application process.

Do you have all the transcripts and other necessary documents to ensure your application is not rejected? From the latest updates to your educational qualifications to changes in your family, everything must be documented and up to date in your application.

Keep Lookout for Fast-Track Options

If the TFWP has a huge processing backlog, then can you speed things up by applying for a LMIA-exempt work permit under the IMP? If Express Entry won’t work out quickly, then how about PNP streams not connected to Express Entry?

Or are there pilot programs like occupation-specific pilots in Saskatchewan and Quebec or even the Atlantic Immigration program that can help you move to Canada faster?

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Obviously, this cannot be a DIY process because the right choice at the right time can help you jump the line and get your work permit or Certificate of Permanent Residence a lot faster.

Professional Help is a Must

And this brings us to the last point of a guide. Work with an immigration professional from the very beginning.

Just spending a few days reading up on stuff available online cannot bring you at par with an immigration attorney who has handled hundreds or thousands of applications over a long period of time.

From finding the right program for you to exploring ways to boost eligibility to identifying steps to improve your immigration prospects—a professional can guide you through even the most complicated situations.

The best part is that an immigration professional will help you deploy the three points described above too. From avoiding errors to getting your application in at the earliest to exploring off-beat immigration options, professional guidance can help you do all this and a lot more to make your Canada dream come true.

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