Canada launches fast-track work permit program in the Philippines

The pilot is for Canadian employers recruiting in the Philippines and hiring approximately 50 or more workers, or for critical occupations such as health care, construction, and agri-food. (File Photo: Pyrrhus Cunanan/Unsplash)

Today, the Honorable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced the launch of CAN Work Philippines, a pilot program at IRCC’s visa office in Manila.

The pilot will streamline work permit processing for eligible Canadian employers and allow them to schedule group appointments for medical examinations and biometrics for potential employees, so that skilled workers from the Philippines can come to Canada.

The pilot is for Canadian employers recruiting in the Philippines and hiring approximately 50 or more workers, or for critical occupations such as health care, construction, and agri-food.

To participate in the program, employers must demonstrate their commitment to fair and ethical recruitment guidelines, as published by the International Organization for Migration (ION).

IRCC is also giving $200,000 to the IOM to support the adoption of fair and ethical recruitment standards in the Philippines. The funding will help IOM work with the Government of the Philippines, conduct training sessions and promote the IOM’s Fair and Ethical Recruitment Due Diligence Toolkit to organizations that are either involved or have an interested in recruiting talent in the Philippines.

“Every year, thousands of temporary foreign workers from around the world bring their skills to Canada, helping to grow our economy and fill labour market shortages. This includes a substantial number of newcomers from the Philippines. The CAN Work Philippines pilot will give Canada an important advantage in the global race for talent and support our industries in addressing labour market shortages. At the same time, the funding to the IOM demonstrates our continued commitment to fair and ethical recruitment practices and will help ensure the health, safety and quality of life of temporary foreign workers,” said Marc Miller.

The Philippines is a major source of newcomers to Canada. This pilot will help strengthen the close social ties between our two nations while addressing labour shortages in the Canadian economy and reinforcing Canada as a top destination for global talent.