Tag: Working holiday visa

DSF’s immigration law group is hopeful about a 2021 that will see increased immigration to Canada by skilled young workers to complement our labour force and fill necessary labour shortages. Canadian immigration strategies regarding the Express Entry process for permanent residence announced this fall aim to do just that. See our interview with Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship for more details about that.

And even further measures were recently announced with respect to temporary work permits.

On December 11, 2020, Canada’s immigration minister and Italy’s Minister of Foreign Affairs signed a new bilateral youth mobility agreement between Canada and Italy. This will see an expansion to existing work-and-travel opportunities between Canadians and Italians between the ages of 18 and 35. Click here – http://bit.ly/3mI78PN

The International Experience Canada program allows citizens aged 18-35 of a number of countries to work in Canada under agreements that allow reciprocal opportunities for Canadians. Available work permit categories and lengths of time allowed per category in Canada depend on where the person is from. A full list can be seen here – http://bit.ly/38zrZzM

Since 2006, Canada has had such agreements with Italy. The current agreement with Italy has allowed Italians to come to Canada for up to 6 months on Working Holiday work permits and to extend their stay for up to 6 months further as a visitor. The Working Holiday permit is an open work permit that allows the temporary foreign worker to work in Canada for any employer. Under the new bilateral agreement, expected to be ratified in 2021, the options available to Italians have increased to allow up to 12 month long initial permits with the possibility of extending for a further 12. This can provide crucial Canadian work experience to Italians considering applying for permanent residence down the road as such experience can provide points in Canada’s Express Entry process for permanent residence. The agreement also allows Italians to participate in the Young Professionals category, a closed work permit category that provides for employer specific work permits in professional jobs. This participation can prove further useful for those seeking eventual permanent residence as employer specific job offers may provide even further points in Canada’s Express Entry process for permanent residence.

While the COVID-19 pandemic has created some roadblocks this year for IEC participants to come to Canada to commence work, the new bilateral agreement hints at a more hopeful and expansive 2021 for Italians seeking work and travel options to Canada.

For more information contact immigration lawyer Maya Krishnaratne at maya.krishnaratne@devrylaw.ca

“This article is intended to inform. Its content does not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon by readers as such. If you require legal assistance, please see a lawyer. Each case is unique and a lawyer with good training and sound judgment can provide you with advice tailored to your specific situation and needs.”