Canada and the United Kingdom’s Youth Mobility Agreement to Expand Work Permits

According to a recent announcement, Canada and the United Kingdom promises to foster stronger ties and enhance economic opportunities through a new Canada-United Kingdom (UK)?Youth Mobility Arrangement.

More About Canada-UK Work Permit Agreement

The existing arrangement is open to anyone between the ages of 18 and 30, and the visa is valid for two years. However, the new agreement is anticipated to go into force in 2024, making a number of modifications to the two countries’ current youth mobility pact:

• Raising the age range for eligibility to 18–35
• As well three-year visas are being extended
• The creation of two new migration streams for British nationals relocating to Canada

The youth mobility pact, which was announced in 2008, intends to enhance reciprocal work possibilities in each country. Under the?International Experience Canada (IEC) program , youth mobility agreements are supervised by the Canadian government.

IEC provides three options:

• Participants in the Working Holiday Program are eligible to get open work permits that let them work for any employer in Canada.
• Candidates can obtain a work permit tailored to their studies or career path in order to gain targeted work experience.
• International Co-op (internship) participants can receive a work permit that is specific to their employer, enabling students to gain experience relevant to their studies.

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Streamlining Work Permit Processes

One of the primary advantages of this agreement is the streamlining of work permit processes. The bureaucratic hurdles that previously deterred potential applicants have been significantly reduced, enabling a smoother and more efficient application process.

It is estimated that Canada will provide IEC to about 90,000 young people worldwide in 2023. IEC is one strategy the Canadian government is using to address the labor shortages in the nation. In addition, since 2008, more than 240,000 Canadians have taken part in IEC.

By 2025, Canada intends to welcome 500,000 new?permanent residents? annually, following the Immigration Levels Plan currently in effect. Additionally, more than 437,000 new immigrants entered Canada last year, breaking the previous record, with the majority of them from the economic class category.

In Canada, both the federal and provincial governments have control over immigration. In other words, both levels of government urge immigrants who have?worked in Canada? to settle there permanently.

Applicants under federal and provincial?economic class programs? are evaluated on a number of factors such as age, education, language abilities, and work experience. Consequently, youth from the UK moving to Canada through IEC have an advantage over other immigrants. Their youthful age, English fluency, and work experience in Canada provide them an excellent chance to pursue their goals of permanent residence in Canada.

Originally published at https://immigcanada.com/ on July 26, 2023.