In the wake of recent changes to immigration policies in Ontario, individuals aspiring to become Canadian permanent residents are facing uncertainty amidst evolving regulations, raising fears of being left in limbo.
Muhammad Haseeb Ahmad, a 25-year-old from Pakistan who completed his master’s in applied computing in artificial intelligence (AI) at the University of Windsor in October 2024, is among those eagerly awaiting a decision on his permanent residency application.
Ahmad applied through Ontario’s Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), a partnership with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) that expedites the permanent residency process for skilled workers and international students in specific high-demand sectors beneficial to the Canadian economy.
Changes in Ontario’s Immigration System
The OINP, where Ahmad submitted his application, is undergoing revisions. Notably, a skilled trades stream has been terminated, and the government is contemplating reducing the entry categories from nine to four.
According to a webpage seeking feedback on the proposed modifications, the reforms aim to streamline the application process, enhance access for priority health-care applicants, and introduce a pathway for entrepreneurs.
Additionally, the federal government has reduced the number of provincial nominee applications by approximately half, citing a move towards a more sustainable immigration level.
While Ahmad holds a valid work permit until fall 2027, he is prepared to pursue a Ph.D. in New Zealand if his current situation remains unresolved. (Pratyush Dayal/CBC)
Ahmad and his peers are apprehensive about the potential suspension of their stream due to the proposed changes, although they may still qualify under a different category for exceptional talent.
Facing this uncertainty, Ahmad has put on hold his plans to pursue a Ph.D. in medical AI at the University of Toronto or University of Waterloo, for which he has already prepared the necessary paperwork.
Expressing optimism amidst the challenges, Ahmad remains hopeful that his nomination for permanent residency will be successful.
With a valid work permit until fall 2027, Ahmad remains optimistic about his future prospects and is considering pursuing a Ph.D. in New Zealand as an alternative plan.
“The new requirements are still unclear to us. We are uncertain about what lies ahead,” Ahmad remarked.
Termination of Skilled Trades Stream
In another case, a man from London, Ont., Ankit Kumar Patel, has seen his six-year endeavor for Canadian permanent residency thwarted following the suspension of the skilled trades stream under OINP.
Expressing his frustration, Patel, who came to Canada as an international student from India in 2019, lamented the impact of the stream’s discontinuation on his plans and career.