EXTENDED – Permanent Residence for “Out-of-Status” Construction Workers in the GTA, 2024
Update
The Permanent Residence for “Out-of-Status” Construction Workers in the GTA Public Policy will be in effect for an additional six (6) months from January 3, 2024, and ending on July 2, 2024.
The 2024 change only affects the time period of the program, but all program criteria conditions, and the 1,000 principal applicants cap since the launch of the program remain the same. Please note workers do not need to pass a language exam to qualify for this program.
The CLC strongly advises applicants (and their representatives, if applicable) who have been contacted by the CLC to submit their full and completed applications to do so as soon as possible.
This program ends on July 2, 2024, or once 1,000 principal applicants (plus their accompanying family members) have been granted permanent residence, whichever comes first.
Eligibility Criteria
For a detailed description of this initiative and eligibility requirements, visit:
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Region
Greater Toronto Area (GTA) as defined by Statistics Canada – Toronto Economic Region: City of Toronto, Durham Region, Halton Region, Peel Region, York Region.
Background
The Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) is working with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to process a total of 1,000 principal applicants (plus their accompanying family members) in the GTA for the period between the start of the program in 2020 to the new extended end-date of July 2, 2024.
Out-of-status workers are people who have come to Canada with valid temporary residence status, but have fallen out of status for various reasons, and have found employment in the construction industry. Without status, these workers have continued to fill labour shortages, while contributing greatly to our society and economy. However, fear of detection, detainment and deportation drives these workers and their families “underground,” often limiting their access to social programs and making them vulnerable to employer exploitation and abuse.
The CLC is proud of the great success with this program. We are pleased to continue this work to get permanent residence for “out-of-status” construction workers and their families in 2024.
The CLC will be engaging at the highest level of due diligence to ensure the safety and security of any applicants who come forward to take part in this initiative.
Applicant Selection:
Applicants are referred on a first-come, first-serve basis and the application process is open to all qualified workers, whether or not they are unionized. Identification and referral of potential applicants under the public policy will be carried out in an unbiased, fair and equitable manner.
The CLC has engaged an immigration lawyer and staff specifically trained for this program.
Applicants will undergo rigorous screening by the CLC, based on the eligibility criteria, which may include telephone interviews.
The CLC will only refer to IRCC the applications that the CLC determines to be eligible under the public policy, having met ALL the criteria established by IRCC.
All information received from applicants and through the applications will be treated with the strictest of confidence. The CLC will undertake to maintain, respect, and protect fully the confidentiality of the information received from or about applicants, and not to release it to anyone other than the individual to whom it relates, unless such release is clearly authorized by the applicant. This applies to all applicants – whether or not their application is successful.
**IMPORTANT:
- The CLC will continue to wait list new applicants to the program.
- The CLC has a lawyer and staff trained to process applications for this program.
- No fee is required to get on the CLC waiting list.
- No fee is required for submission of the intake form to the CLC.
- No fee is required for the application processing at the CLC.
- When the CLC refers completed applications to the IRCC, then government processing fees are required for your application and paid directly to IRCC.
How to apply
Step 1: Submit a CLC intake form
You have to submit the CLC’s intake application form to the CLC by email, fax or mail.
There is currently a wait list, the process remains open for workers wishing to add their name to the wait list. The CLC will contact you as soon as possible when an application space becomes available, and your application can proceed.
Please do not send additional documents to the CLC without first submitting an intake application form, and being contacted by the CLC when a space for a full application becomes available.
Step 2: The CLC will contact you when there is a space
Once the CLC receives your intake application form, the CLC will contact you to discuss your application if a space becomes available.
Step 3: CLC Referral Letter
The application for permanent residence must include a referral letter from the CLC attesting that the CLC determines the applicant to be eligible under the public policy.
Once it is determined that you are eligible to apply, the CLC will work with you to complete the application process and provide a referral letter prior to submission to IRCC. Spouses/partners and dependent children can be included in the application for permanent residence.
Only those who the CLC determines to be eligible under the public policy will be considered for referral by the CLC.
IRCC’s application information and guide, including application forms to complete once the CLC determines an applicant is eligible, can be found at the following links:
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/gta-construction-workers-about.html
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/application-forms-guides/guide-0124-out-of-status-construction-workers.html
Questions
For questions about the Permanent Residence for “Out-of-Status” Construction Workers in the GTA, please contact the CLC at:
application@clcctc.ca
Toll-Free: 1-844-986-0390
Local: 613-526-7429
For questions about other matters pertaining to immigration and citizenship, outside of this initiative, please contact:
