Canada Immigration News

27 Sep

0

Parent born in Canada? You’re Canadian!

Was your mother or father born or naturalized in Canada? Under recent amendments to Canada's Citizenship Act, nearly all persons whose parent was born or naturalized in Canada are now Canadian citizens. This is true even if your parent left Canada as a child; married an American citizen (or other non-Canadian); or became a U.S. citizen (or citizen of another country). These new laws apply to the first generation born abroad. So if your mother or father was born in Canada you are likely a citizen. However, with some important exceptions, your own children are generally not Canadian citizens if they...

20 Sep

0

Coronavirus impacts Canadian border travel and immigration

The COVID-19 pandemic is having a major impact on travel to Canada, and processing of immigration applications in Canada. On April 14, 2020, Canada issued a new Order in Council stating that persons allowed to enter Canada, including Canadian citizens, even if healthy, will be required to self-quarantine for a period of 14 days. If an adequate plan for self-quarantine is not available, persons may be detained in government quarantine facilities. "Essential" workers, cross- border commuters and several other groups are not required to quarantine. Anyone considering travel to Canada or returning to Canada from abroad must carefully consider these restrictions...

16 Sep

0

Good news: Canada resumes Express Entry draws for Foreign Skilled Workers!

In Canada Immigration News

UPDATE AS OF September 16, 2020: On August 16, Canada again issued 4,200 ITAs with no program specified. This was the second consecutive draw of 4,200 open to all categories. The cutoff dropped to 472. On Wednesday July 8, 2020 Canada announced a new Express Entry draw for all programs included in the Express Entry system. This is great news for well qualified applicants outside Canada without Canadian work experience. The cutoff score for the July 8 draw was 478, and 3,900 invitations were issued. This was the first draw since March 4, 2020 to include Foreign Skilled Workers. All draws...

01 Jul

0

Move to Canada after Trump election? It may be easier than you think!

In Canada Immigration News

We receive many inquiries from U.S. citizens, H-1B visa holders, DACA recipients, and other persons living in the U.S. who want to move to Canada in response to the election of Donald Trump as President of the United States. The election was closely followed by the Muslim Travel Ban, DACA cancellation, separating families at the southern border, the public charge rule, and most recently the bans on legal family and employment based immigration. Many are shocked by the dangerous actions of the Trump administration, including Trump's support for white supremacists, withdrawal from the Paris Climate Accord, and deliberate disregard of...

20 Feb

0

Worried about your U.S. H-4 EAD? Come to Canada!

In Canada Immigration News

On February 20, 2019 , the Trump administration submitted a new proposed regulation for final review by the Office of Management and Budget. This regulation would abolish the so-called "H-4 EAD." The H-4 EAD is an open work permit that is available to spouses of H-1B specialty workers who have advanced to a specific stage in the drawn out U.S. Green Card process. The H-4 EAD is an important benefit to H-1B workers and spouses who are citizens of India or China. These workers typically wait ten years or more for their immigrant visas to become available due to the...

23 Apr

0

Canada to relax medical admissibility rules

In Canada Immigration News

On April 16, 2018, Canada Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen announced a major change to the rules that govern admissibility of immigrants to Canada who may have medical conditions that may cause an "excess demand" on Canada's health system. Under current law, persons who would cost the government more than the average amount for health services are inadmissible, unless they are the spouses or children of Canadians. Under the new rules, expected to go into effect June 1, 2018, the amount will be increased to three times the average amount. This would increase the possible expense to about $20,000 CAD per...

18 Oct

0

Canada will raise age of dependent children to “under 22” beginning October 24, 2017

In Canada Immigration News

As of October 24, 2017, Canada's definition of a "dependent child" will be changed from "under 19" to "under 22" for all of Canada's immigration programs. This means that applicants for permanent residence under Express Entry as well as Family Class applicants can include their children who are under 22 as of the date of the application. For the last three years the age of dependency had been reduced to under 19....

11 Oct

0

Canada reduces residency time for citizenship

In Canada Immigration News

Beginning October 11, 2017, becoming a Canadian citizen got a lot easier. For applications filed on or after that date, the residency requirement has been reduced from four years out of the last six, to three years (1095 days) out of the last five. In addition, the requirement to be present for 183 days in each year has been removed, as long as the total days are met. Also, applicants can now count one half the days spent in Canada before becoming a permanent resident, up to a total of 365 days. As a result, a person who has been...

28 Jun

0

Canada launches new “Global Skills Strategy”

In Canada Immigration News

On June 12, 2017, Canada announced a new "global skills strategy" that will make it easier and faster to get work permits for certain foreign workers. The strategy has four components (referred to as "pillars" in the government announcements). They are as follows: Workers coming to Canada for brief periods will be authorized to work without an LMIA or work permit. This provision applies to management and skilled employees classified as NOC 0 or NOC A. The employment will be permitted for one 30 day period every 12 months, or one 15 day period every six months. Certain university researchers will...

28 Jun

0

Canada passes new citizenship law

In Canada Immigration News

On June 19, 2017, Canada's new citizenship law receive Royal Assent, the final step in the legislative process. This is an amendment to existing Canadian citizenship law. The law, known as C-6, will make it easier for many people to attain Canadian citizenship. The law goes into effect in stages. As of June 19, persons applying for citizenship are no longer required to have the intent to live in Canada, making it easier for new Canadian citizens to live or work outside of Canada. Also, the age restrictions for applying for Canadian citizenship have been removed, so that minors can...

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