On this page we will provide you with major updates in Canadian immigration laws, procedures and rules. If you want to receive e-mail updates on the recent immigration changes please subscribe to the updates. |
News
Visitors to apply for a work permit without having to leave Canada
New temporary public policy will allow visitors to apply for a work permit without having to leave Canada Change intended to benefit employers who are still facing difficulties finding workers August 24, 2020—Ottawa—Visitors who are currently in Canada and have a valid job offer will be able to apply for an employer-specific work permit and, if approved, receive the permit without having to leave the country, thanks to a new public policy announced today by the Honourable Marco E.L. Mendicino, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship. |
Temporary residence applicants who are applying from within Canada are exempt from providing biometrics
Biometrics exemption for temporary residence applicants in CanadaAs a temporary measure, you’re exempt from giving biometrics if you’re applying from within Canada
This applies to all new applications as well as applications already in progress. It applies even if
This temporary measure does not apply if you’re outside Canada. |
Most VACs have temporarily closed, due to the COVID19 pandemic
Due to the COVID19 pandemic, most VACs have temporarily closed or are operating with limited hours and services. Note that we have no further information at this time and cannot offer a response to questions about the details or projected dates for reopening of VACs or VFSs that isn’t contained on this website. For up-to-date information, visit: https://bit.ly/2EhCDzS |
COVID-19 program delivery for Work permit holders (Canada)
June 19, 2020 These program delivery instructions inform IRCC and Canada Border Services Agency staff on the procedures that are affected by the disruption of services associated with impacts of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) for
These instructions will be updated as the situation evolves. |
Changes in Foreign Worker Program planned by Canadian Government
June 19, 2020. Canada’s Employment Minister said the federal government plans to overhaul the country’s temporary foreign worker program, including more surprise inspections of working and living conditions at farms that employ migrant workers. |
Agri-Food Pilot Program announced
The Agri-Food Pilot helps address the labour needs of the Canadian agri-food sector. The pilot provides a pathway to permanent residence for experienced, non-seasonal workers in specific industries and occupations. It will run until May 2023. |
Service Canada is is prioritizing certain occupations for LMIA application
Effective June 10, 2020 and until further notice, the program is prioritizing certain occupations which are considered essential during the COVID-19 pandemic. The listed occupations have been prioritized across all provinces and territories (except the province of Quebec). For a list of occupations specific to the province of Quebec, please refer to Hiring in the Province of Quebec. Important: The Refusal to Process applicable to the province of Alberta supersedes any prioritization. The program is prioritizing and waiving minimum recruitment requirements for the following occupations: 6331-Butchers, meat cutters and fishmongers-retail and wholesale 8252- Agricultural service contractors, farm supervisors and specialized livestock workers 8431- General Farm Workers 8432- Nursery and Greenhouse Workers 8611- Harvesting labourers 9462- Industrial butchers and meat cutters, poultry preparers and related workers 9463- Fish and seafood plant workers 9617- Labourers in food, beverage and associated products processing 9618- Labourers in fish and seafood processing The program is prioritizing the following occupations and not waiving the minimum recruitment requirements: 3012 - Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses 3111 - Specialist physicians 3112 - General practitioners and family physicians 3124 - Allied primary health practitioners 3131 - Pharmacists 3211 - Medical laboratory technologists 3212 - Medical laboratory technicians and pathologists' assistants 3214 - Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists 3219 - Other medical technologists and technicians (except dental health) 3233 - Licensed practical nurses 3237 - Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment 3413 - Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates 3414 - Other assisting occupations in support of health services 6731 - Light duty cleaners 7511 - Transport truck drivers Important: For positions under National Occupational Classification (NOC) 7511 that are situated in a province that has a Mandatory Entry Level Training requirement or equivalent, the foreign national must be in possession of this training certification at the time of work permit issuance. |
How COVID-19 is affecting business at IRCC and Service Canada
Covid-19 Pandemic is affecting every aspect of life in Canada, including immigration rules. These are some of the changes announced by CIC: Are you continuing to process and accept applications? As announced, there are travel restrictions in place. We are continuing to accept and process applications at this time, although foreign nationals, unless exempt, will have their travel restricted until these measures have been lifted. What is the impact on your processing times? While we continue to serve our clients, service disruptions and restrictions due to COVID-19 may have an impact on processing times, and the current posted processing times may not be accurate. What is the impact on temporary foreign workers? IMPORTANT! Workers, students and approved permanent residents who haven’t landed should not travel yet. We’ve announced exemptions but they’re not in place. Travel restrictions are still in effect for these groups. Only Canadian citizens, and permanent residents, and some foreign nationals travelling from the United States (US) who have been in the US for at least 14 days and are asymptomatic, are able to enter Canada by air at this time. As announced on March 20, 2020, all temporary foreign workers will be able to travel to Canada by air or land. They will be exempt from the air travel restrictions announced on March 16, 2020, as well as border restrictions. Those affected by these exemptions should not try to travel to Canada immediately. We will announce when the exemptions are in place, which we anticipate will be early during the week of March 22, 2020. Like all travellers, including Canadian citizens and permanent residents, temporary foreign workers who enter Canada by air or land will undergo the necessary health checks and must isolate for 14 days upon arrival in Canada. In addition, a temporary modification is being made to the Labour Market Impact Assessment process for agriculture and food-processing employers, as the required 2-week recruitment period will be waived for the next 6 months. We are also increasing the maximum allowable employment duration for workers in the low-wage stream of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program from 1 to 2 years. This will improve flexibility and reduce the administrative burden for employers, including those in food processing. Will I be able to remain in Canada if I am already in the country legally? Yes. Read more here: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/coronavirus-special-measures.html , here, and here. SERVICE CANADA For changes in rules and processes introduced by Service Canada please visit |
Robots replacing Canadian visa officers
Douglas Todd: Robots replacing Canadian visa officers, Ottawa report says Douglas Todd Published: January 9, 2020 Opinion: Canada's Immigration Department is hiding the fact machines are making the call on tens of thousands of visa applications. With far more to come. |
Plans for Municipal Nomination Programs announced
Liberals plan new program to allow communities to pick immigrants Municipal nominee program is meant to help fill local labour needs Kathleen Harris · CBC News · Posted: Jan 02, 2020 4:00 AM ET The federal government plans to bring in a new immigration program that will allow cities and towns to pick newcomers based on local labour needs. |
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