In the face of a growing scarcity of skilled workers in various sectors across the nation, many Canadian businesses find themselves grappling with the challenge of filling essential job positions crucial for their operations. Acknowledging this dilemma, the Government of Canada is stepping up to provide support for employers in their quest to hire necessary personnel. This support aims not only to alleviate the administrative complexities involved in the hiring process but also to safeguard the rights of temporary foreign workers against exploitation. Today marks a significant development as t ..read more

From July 16th, H-1B visa holders in the US can apply for the Open Work Program (OWP) in Canada, allowing them to work in the country for up to three years. This program is a part of Canada’s first-ever Tech Talent Strategy that, according to the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, will “help enshrine Canada as a world leader in a variety of emerging technologies.”  What are H-1B Visas?  H-1B visas are non-immigrant visas granted by the US to allow for foreign workers in specialty occupations. They are intended to attract individuals with spec ..read more

Canada’s Express Entry immigration selection system is set to introduce new occupation-based draws this summer, targeting 82 occupations across five fields. The draws will prioritize candidates with work experience in healthcare, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professions, trades such as carpenters, plumbers, and contractors, transportation, and agriculture and agri-food. Additionally, candidates with strong French language proficiency (at least NCLC 7 in reading, writing, listening, and speaking) will also be eligible. The targeted draws are scheduled to start later ..read more

The suspension of federal economic immigration programs (Express Entry draws) had left many skilled international graduates in limbo as the expiration date for their postgraduate work permits was approaching. In light of this situation, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) recently announced the resumption of its Express Entry draws, scheduled for July this year. In addition, it will be offering new options for international students seeking to apply for permanent residence. The measures are intended to encourage international students to remain in Canada after their academic c ..read more

The Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program Workforce Solutions Road Map includes vital measures to assist with vacancies throughout many sectors and occupations of the labor market, defend people in Canada on work permits and simultaneously promoting the Government of Canada’s ongoing efforts to rebuild the TFW Program. Effective immediately: Eliminate the Seasonal Cap permanently. The Seasonal Cap Exemption presently affords employers in seasonal industries, which includes fish and seafood processing, to employ work permit holders under the low-salary cap for an employment length of as much a ..read more

Canada is aiming for 401,000 new immigrants in 2021 despite the Covid-19 pandemic. In order to achieve this goal, Canada has implemented new programs by focusing on processes that grant residency status to people already in the country and in jobs that might not have previously qualified.  Before the pandemic, Canada’s immigration population was growing at an unprecedented rate, accepting 70,000 more immigrants in 2019 than it did previously in 2015. However, with the rise of Covid-19, the number of permanent residents has plunged by almost half of its 2020 goal to just 184,595, far short ..read more

The Canadian Spousal Sponsorship program is one of the only Canadian immigration programs for permanent residence that does have any education, work or language requirements as preconditions for eligibility. Because of this, spousal sponsorship is a very attractive program for foreign nationals married to or in a common-law relationship with a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. These are five key principles to understand in order to tackle the spousal sponsorship application successfully.  1) Who can sponsor their spouse in Canada? Those who wish to be sponsored must demonstrate an i ..read more

The federal Canadian government has come to an agreement with the Quebec government to introduce three important measures that will serve to help Quebecer enterprises who are deeply affected by the current labor shortage. What does this new agreement entail for foreign workers looking to be employed in Quebec? Temporary Foreign Worker Program Such measures include the easing of certain restrictions pertaining to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. Notably, for certain sectors of activity, this agreement will permit an increase of 10-20% in the allowed number of foreign workers in a single wo ..read more

On July 19, the Canadian government announced that it would open its borders to fully vaccinated U.S. citizens beginning August 9 as the first phase in a two step reopening process. On September 7, Canada also intends to open its borders to citizens of other countries.  The Canadian government is planning to use a “border testing surveillance program” at its air and land border crossings. A negative COVID-19 test upon entry to Canada will not be mandatory for fully vaccinated travellers, unless they are chosen to by random selection. They will, however, be required to pack a negative test ..read more

On September 7, 2021, given that Canada’s COVID-19 the study of disease transmission stays under contorl, the Canadian Government expects to open its borders for optional travel by individuals from any country who have been completely immunized with Government of Canada-approved vaccines at least 14 days before entering Canada and who comply with all other requirements for entry. With the coming of expanded immunization rates in Canada, declining COVID-19 cases and diminished stress on medical services, the public authority plans to bring various changes into force, given that Canada’s COVID-1 ..read more