Canada 2 lakh PR scheme: Families should not fall for agents, warns KBS Sidhu
No applications are currently being accepted under Canada's new scheme to regularise temporary residents, so people in Punjab should not pay agents.
Following the announcement of the Canadian government's plan to grant permanent residency (PR) to about two lakh temporary residents living there, families in Punjab have been advised to stay cautious against fraudulent agents. Former Special Chief Secretary and Shiromani Punjab Forum Convenor KBS Sidhu stated that no application form or online portal has been opened yet under this scheme.
According to KBS Sidhu, Canada's budget proposes regularising two lakh existing temporary residents by the end of 2027, which is separate from the annual target of 3.80 lakh. However, budget funds to implement this will only begin in 2027-28. No official details regarding the scheme's conditions, language rules, list of occupations, and application process have been released yet.
He stated that the Canadian immigration department has clarified that this is not the initiation of new applications, but rather the clearance of already pending files. This process will be divided into two parts, consisting of one lakh workers and one lakh humanitarian-based cases. The benefit is also expected to go primarily to those whose applications are already submitted.
KBS Sidhu said that several dishonest agents are misleading people in the name of Canadian lawyers. Those who have not applied previously should not give money to anyone in the name of this new scheme. He advised families to seek legal help only from licensed lawyers or immigration consultants registered with Canada's official regulator.
He appealed to the Punjab NRI affairs department to issue information in English and Punjabi in coordination with the Canadian High Commission. This would clear people's confusion and save Punjab's families from falling victim to any fraud again.
Key developments
- Canada's budget proposes regularising two lakh temporary residents.
- No forms, portals, or eligibility rules have been issued under this scheme yet.
- This step is not for new applications, but for clearing already pending files.
- KBS Sidhu appealed to Punjab's families not to pay money to agents.
