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Asylum seeker > Special Program for Asylum Seekers during the COVID-19 Period |
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Special Program for Asylum Seekers during the COVID-19 PeriodIn order to recognize the contribution of asylum seekers who provided direct care to the population during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Québec government has introduced the Special program for asylum seekers during the COVID-19 period (SPASCP), effective December 14, 2020. Your 3-step processTo submit an application for permanent selection under the SPASCP, you must first carry out the steps to obtain permanent residency with the federal government under the Temporary Public Policy Concerning the Granting of Permanent Residency to Certain Foreigners Selected by Québec who are Working in the Healthcare Sector during the COVID-19 Pandemic. If Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) confirms your eligibility, you will receive a letter entitled: Pathway to permanent residency for asylum seekers working in the healthcare sector - Letter regarding your intention to reside in Québec during the COVID-19 period. Once you have received the letter from the IRCC, you must:
Following the processing of your application for selection, you will be informed of the Minister’s decision. If the decision is positive, you and the family members included in the application will receive the Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ) (Québec selection certificate). The Minister’s decision will also be sent to the IRCC for them to complete the processing of your application for permanent residence. Do you need help to submit your application under the SPASCP?As of December 15, you can get help carrying out the steps involved in the SPASCP process, free of charge, by making an appointment with one of the Ministère’s three partner organizations below. Follow the guidelines in the context of COVID-19: remember to wear a mask before going to your appointment, and make sure to follow the guidelines of the organizations you visit. ALPA 2030, boulevard Pie IX, bureau 309 Centre social d’aide aux immigrants 6201, rue Laurendeau Maison d’Haïti 3245, avenue Émile-Journault Questions and answersWho is eligible for the program?To be selected for the program, you must first obtain authorization from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to submit an application for permanent residency in Canada, under its temporary public interest policy (TPIP). In accordance with this policy, you must meet the following three eligibility conditions:
If you are in one of the following situations, you may also obtain authorization to submit an application:
To be selected by Québec, you must have held an eligible job in Canada for at least 750 hours (accumulated full time or part time) no later than August 31, 2021, including at least 120 actual hours of work between March 13 and August 14, 2020. Actual hours of work mean that you must have actually worked the number of hours you indicated on your application. Therefore, parental or medical leave must not be included in the calculation of the actual hours of work. The only possible exception is having to leave the workplace because you contracted COVID-19 or were part of a prevention measure. Internships in the healthcare sector as part of a study program leading to an eligible job or to meet the requirements of a professional order related to an eligible job can be included in the hours required by the program. If you are a widow or widower of an asylum claimant who held an eligible job in Canada between March 13 and August 14, 2020, and who died due to COVID-19, you could still be selected by Québec under the program. What are the eligible jobs under this program?The jobs held must correspond to one of the following professions, under the National Occupational Classification (NOC), in the healthcare sector:
When should I submit a selection application under this program?As of December 14, 2020, you can submit an application for permanent residency to the IRCC, which will determine your eligibility to the temporary public interest policy. If the IRCC considers your application eligible, you will receive a letter with information enabling you to submit an application for permanent selection in Québec under this program. If you meet the selection conditions, you can obtain a Québec selection certificate (Certificat de sélection du Québec – CSQ) that will allow you to obtain permanent residency from the federal government. You have until August 31, 2021, to submit an application to the IRCC. Can the family of the applicant be included in the application?Yes, the program is for principal claimants and their families living in Canada. If you have family members abroad and would like to bring them to Québec, you can submit a sponsorship application under the family reunification program, once you have obtained your permanent residency, provided that the conditions are met. Is there a maximum number of applications for this program?No. There is no ceiling for this program. Is there an application fee?No. There is no fee for submitting a selection application in Québec. However, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada charges a fee for processing applications for permanent residency.
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