Abhishek Parmar, who has called Windsor-Essex his home for over six years, is now among the 2.1 million temporary residents facing potential departure from Canada this year. Having arrived in Windsor-Essex from India in 2019 to pursue mechanical engineering technology at St. Clair College, Parmar invested over $80,000 in tuition and living expenses. Despite securing employment at an automotive company in LaSalle and applying for permanent residence (PR) through an Ontario immigration pathway in 2024, Parmar faced setbacks due to layoffs following tariff issues.
After losing opportunities for PR due to job changes, Parmar’s work permit is set to expire in mid-March, putting his plans of establishing roots in Windsor on hold. Alongside Parmar, a significant number of temporary residents are also facing uncertainty regarding their status. According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), 1.49 million temporary residents had permits expire last year, with another 1.4 million set to expire this year, totaling 2.9 million over two years.
Despite available spots for PR admissions in previous years, a considerable number of temporary residents are left with expired or expiring visas. Parmar, like many others, is striving to attain PR status by undergoing language proficiency tests and learning French. However, if unsuccessful, Parmar plans to return to India to reapply for PR or extend his work permit.
IRCC emphasizes that temporary residents must adhere to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, requiring them to leave Canada upon the authorized period’s end. Amidst the looming challenges, immigration lawyer Lou Janssen Dangzalan acknowledges the complexities and potential hardships faced by individuals with expiring statuses and limited PR options.
Amanjit Kaur Verma, an immigration consultant, highlights the increasing demand for PR strategies among temporary residents, emphasizing the need for recalibrating policies to support those contributing to the local economy. As the race for PR intensifies, many temporary residents find themselves navigating uncertain paths in pursuit of remaining in Canada.