Today, Immigration Minister Marc Miller announced the launch of a new work permit pilot program called CAN Work Philippines in its visa office in Manila, coinciding with the first-ever Philippines–Canada Friendship Week.
This program, designed to benefit both Canadian employers and Filipino job seekers, offers a simplified and expedited application process.
Here’s everything you need to know:
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What is CAN Work Philippines?
CAN Work Philippines is a specialized Canada work permit pilot program catering to Filipino workers. The program simplifies the work permit application process for eligible Canadian employers recruiting from the Philippines.
Employers can now schedule group appointments for medical examinations and biometrics for potential Filipino employees, ensuring a smoother transition to Canada.
The CAN Work Philippines pilot program is open to Canadian employers hiring 50 or more workers or recruiting for critical occupations in sectors such as healthcare, construction, and agri-food.
How Does It Work?
- Group Appointments: Employers can now organize group appointments for potential employees’ medical checks and biometrics, simplifying the recruitment process significantly.
- Employer-Driven Approach: This new work permit program places employers at the forefront, ensuring a seamless experience for both the hiring companies and the job seekers.
Eligibility Criteria
Canadian companies interested in participating can obtain detailed information by contacting IRCC at promotion@cic.gc.ca.
Employers must adhere to ethical recruitment guidelines established by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to participate in the program, emphasizing fairness and integrity in hiring practices.
IRCC Funding
Additionally, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is providing $200,000 to the IOM to support the adoption of fair and ethical recruitment standards in the Philippines. This funding will facilitate collaboration between the IOM and the Government of the Philippines, enabling training sessions and the promotion of the IOM’s Fair and Ethical Recruitment Due Diligence Toolkit to organizations involved in recruiting talent in the country.
Canada’s Indo–Pacific Strategy
The Philippines is a significant partner in Canada’s Indo–Pacific Strategy and a major source of newcomers to Canada. This new work permit pilot program called CAN Work Philippines aims to strengthen social ties between the two nations while addressing labor shortages in Canada and establishing the country as a top destination for global talent.
Canada recognizes the importance of immigration in its labor force growth, with approximately 75% of the country’s population growth coming from immigration. By 2036, immigrants are expected to represent up to 30% of Canada’s population.
As part of the Indo-Pacific Strategy, the Canadian government is investing $74.6 million over 5 years and $15.7 million ongoing to enhance the department’s application processing capacity in both domestic and Indo-Pacific regions.
Visa-Free Travel for Filipinos
The Philippines has been a significant source country of immigration for Canada, with 960,000 people of Philippine origin residing in Canada, according to the 2021 Census.
Canada recently expanded its Electronic Travel Authorization Program to include the Philippines, granting more Filipinos visa-free air travel to Canada.
Philippines-Canada Friendship Week
A special event, the Philippines-Canada Friendship Week, will be held in Manila during the week of October 23rd.
The event will feature informative sessions about working in Canada, personal testimonials from Filipino workers, photo exhibits, film screenings, and a tasting booth with delicious Canadian food.
Processing Time
The estimated processing time for a Canada work permit from the Philippines is approximately 14 weeks, making the application process quicker and more efficient for Filipino applicants.
For more information about the CAN Work Philippines program, don’t hesitate to reach out to IRCC at promotion@cic.gc.ca
