Canada Immigration News

25 Nov

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…

13 Nov

0

Express Entry cutoff rises to 475 after missed draw, then drops slightly to 472

In Canada Immigration News

After skipping a skilled worker draw on October 16, 2019, the Express Entry cutoff rose sharply to 475 on October 30, 2019 after a four week break. In the interim, Canada held a federal election. The Liberal government of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was returned to power, but this time as a minority government. We are hopeful that once the new Cabinet is established, skilled entry invitations will increase and the cutoffs will return to the 460 level or lower. On November 13, 2019, after the usual two week break, the cutoff did indeed drop slightly, to 472. The draw…

20 Feb

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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. The new 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…

03 Jan

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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, and most recently shutting down the government over a phony “crisis” on the Mexico border. Many are shocked by the dangerous actions of the Trump administration, including Trump’s support for white supremacists, banning transgendered persons from the military, and withdrawal from the Paris…

23 Apr

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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

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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

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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…

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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