2022 | BARTLAW LLP Canadian Immigration

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Year: 2022

19 Dec 2022

Season’s Greeting & Happy New Year!

17 Nov 2022

Significant Updates to the National Occupational Classification (“NOC”) System

The National Occupational Classification (“NOC”) is Canada’s national system for describing and categorizing occupations. This system is overhauled every ten (10) years to reflect changes in the economy and nature of work. The NOC 2021 iteration has been released, and effective today (November 16, 2022) IRCC has switched the programs to reflect the new NOC […]

17 Nov 2022

New Youth Mobility Agreement between Italy and Canada

In December 2020, Canada and Italy signed a Youth Mobility Agreement to allow the bilateral movement of youth for work and travel. That agreement has now come into force. As a result of this agreement, Italian youth between 18 and 35 (inclusive) will have more options to apply for Canadian work permits through the International […]

11 Nov 2022

Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program Launches New Entrepreneur Success Initiative Pilot Program

On November 9, 2022, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) announced a new Entrepreneur Success Initiative (ESI) pilot program. The program will be administered by the Toronto Business Development Centre. The ESI pilot program is designed to attract foreign entrepreneurs who intend to establish a new business or purchase an existing business outside of the […]

10 Nov 2022

Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program Launches New Entrepreneur Success Initiative Pilot Program

On November 9, 2022, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) announced a new Entrepreneur Success Initiative (ESI) pilot program. The program will be administered by the Toronto Business Development Centre. The ESI pilot program is designed to attract foreign entrepreneurs who intend to establish a new business or purchase an existing business outside of the […]

10 Nov 2022

Express Entry Update

On November 9, 2022, Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued a new round of invitations to apply for permanent residence. Invitations were issued to candidates who qualify for selection under all Express Entry programs, including the Federal Skilled Worker, Federal Skilled Trades and Canadian Experience Class. This week’s draw invited 4,750 candidates to apply, […]

10 Nov 2022

New Employer Compliance Requirements in Force

On September 26, 2022, amendments to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, SOR/2002-227 came into force placing additional compliance requirements on employers of temporary foreign workers under both the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (“TFWP”) – pursuant to a Labour Market Impact Assessment (“LMIA”) – and the International Mobility Program (“IMP”). The purpose of these measures […]

27 Oct 2022

Express Entry Scores Drop Below 500

On October 26, 2022, Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued a new round of invitations to apply for permanent residence. Invitations were issued to candidates who qualify for selection under all Express Entry programs, including the Federal Skilled Worker, Federal Skilled Trades and Canadian Experience Class. This week’s draw invited 4,750 candidates to apply. […]

27 Oct 2022

Are You Missing Something? Immigration Liabilities in Mergers and Acquisitions

There is nothing more frustrating than completing a long and complex project, only to discover that you have overlooked a key component in making that project a success. In mergers and acquisitions, corporate lawyers, in-house counsel, tax experts, and many others spend countless hours conducting due diligence, pouring over details of contracts, sales numbers, capital, […]

13 Oct 2022

Express Entry Update

On October 12, 2022, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued a new round of invitations to apply for permanent residence. Invitations were issued to candidates who qualify for selection under all Express Entry programs, including the Federal Skilled Worker, Federal Skilled Trades and Canadian Experience Class. This week’s draw invited 4,250 candidates to apply. […]

13 Oct 2022

New Invitations to Apply Issued for Parent/Grandparent Sponsorship Program

On October 11, 2022, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced they are issuing another round of invitations to apply to the parent/grandparent sponsorship program. 23,100 invitations to apply will be issued to potential sponsors over the next two (2) weeks. In light of the covid-19 pandemic, IRCC has also lowered the minimum necessary income […]

7 Oct 2022

Canadian travel restrictions lift, facilitating entry of skilled workers to Canada

On October 1, 2022, the Canadian government lifted all travel restrictions relating to the COVID-19 pandemic, which were in effect for over two years. Prior to October 1, 2022, certain skilled workers were unable to enter Canada due to vaccination status and quarantine requirements. Following the removal of Canada’s pandemic-related travel restrictions, employers can now […]

7 Oct 2022

Unlimited Working Hours for International Students Subject to Conditions

Beginning on November 15, 2022, Canada will temporarily lift the cap on the number of hours eligible study permit holders can work per week. Currently, study permit holders who maintain full-time studies are eligible to work part-time off campus, to a maximum of twenty (20) hours per week. In response to Canada’s current labour shortage, […]

4 Oct 2022

Canada To Revise Express Entry Criteria in 2023

The Canada government has decided to modify its Express Entry system in a bid to counter its persisting labour shortage woes post pandemic. The new rules will be effective from 2023. In addition, IRCC is also planning to issue Invitations to Apply for Permanent Residence (ITA) to candidates with specific work experience and education. On […]

27 Sep 2022

COVID-19 Border and Travel Restrictions in Canada to be Lifted on October 1, 2022

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Canadian government has been committed to taking all necessary steps to keep Canadians safe and minimize the spread of COVID-19. The public safety measures that travelers have had to follow over the last two years – including masking, vaccination and quarantine requirements – have been some of […]

16 Sep 2022

Express Entry: Draw Sizes Continue to Increase

On September 14, Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued a new round of invitations to apply for permanent residence. Invitations were issued to candidates who qualify for selection under all Express Entry programs, including the Federal Skilled Worker, Federal Skilled Trades and Canadian Experience Class. This week’s draw invited 3,250 candidates to apply. The […]

2 Sep 2022

Expansion of the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot Program

On August 26, 2022, the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship announced pending changes to the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot Program (RNIP), to expand on the existing pilot program. The following will be implemented effective fall of 2022: Expanding the geographic boundaries of the following participating communities, so more employers are able to participate: […]

2 Sep 2022

Express Entry: CRS Scores Continue to Decline

On August 31, 2022, Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued a new round of invitations to apply for permanent residence. Invitations were issued to candidates who qualify for selection under all Express Entry programs, including the Federal Skilled Worker, Federal Skilled Trades and Canadian Experience Class. This week’s draw invited 2,750 candidates to apply. […]

18 Aug 2022

Express Entry Draw Scores Continue to Drop

On August 17, 2022, Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued a new round of invitations to apply for permanent residence. Invitations were issued to candidates who qualify for selection under all Express Entry programs. This week’s draw invited 2,250 candidates to apply. The minimum score selected was 525, down from 533 in the previous […]

3 Aug 2022

Permanent Residence: Express Entry Selection Scores Continue to Decrease

On August 3, 2022, Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued a new round of invitations to apply for permanent residence. Invitations were issued to candidates who qualify for selection under all Express Entry programs. This week’s draw invited 2,000 candidates to apply. This marks an increase from the previous draw, in which 1,750 candidates […]

3 Aug 2022

Canada Allows Post-Graduate Work Permit 18-Month Extensions

Former foreign students, whose post-graduation work permit expired or will expire from September 20, 2021, to December 31, 2022, will have the opportunity to work in Canada for an additional 18 months by either extending their work permit or applying for a new one. Those currently in Canada will also be allowed to work in […]

21 Jul 2022

Second Express Entry Draw in 2022 High Minimum Selection Score

On July 20, 2022, Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued a new round of invitations to apply for permanent residence. Invitations were issued to candidates who qualify for selection under all Express Entry programs. This week’s draw invited 1,750 candidates to apply. This marks an increase from the July 6, 2022 draw, in which […]

7 Jul 2022

After a 2 ½ Year Pause, Immigration to Canada Resumes for Foreign Applicants (under the Federal Skilled Worker Category)

We are pleased to announce that overseas immigration applicants are now eligible for selection for immigration to Canada. On July 6, 2022, Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued a new round of invitations to apply for permanent residence. Invitations were issued to candidates who qualify for selection under all Express Entry programs, including the […]

22 Apr 2022

Extension of Temporary Public Policy Allowing Visitors in Canada to Apply for Employer-Specific Work Permits

Finally, the Minister announced today that the temporary public policy allowing visitors in Canada to apply for employer-specific work permits without having to leave Canada will be extended until February 28, 2023.

22 Apr 2022

Changes to the Temporary Resident to Permanent Resident Pathway Program

The Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada announced three changes today to the Temporary Resident to Permanent Resident pathway program. While intake under this program is now closed, these changes will affect those with applications currently in process. The changes are as follows: Applicants will no longer be required to remain in Canada while […]

22 Apr 2022

New Temporary Policy: Extension of Post-Graduate Work Permits

The Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada announced today a new temporary policy for extension of post-graduate work permits. The policy will take effect in the summer of 2022. Post-graduate work permit holders with permits set to expire between January and December 2022 will be eligible to apply for a new open work permit, […]

22 Apr 2022

Federal Skilled Worker (and CEC and FST) Draws to Resume in July 2022

Federal Skilled Worker draws have been paused since December 2020. Today, April 22, 2022, The Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced that draws under the federal Express Entry system will be resuming in early July 2022. Draws under the Federal Skilled Worker, Federal Skilled Trades, and Canadian Experience Class programs have been […]

6 Apr 2022

Good News For Canadian Employers: ESDC Announces Facilitative Measures to Temporary Foreign Worker Program

As Canada’s unemployment rate has now dropped to 5.5% – its lowest level since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic – the number of job openings available has been steadily outpacing the ability of employers to find and hire workers. To help employers meet their labour needs in the current job market, ESDC has committed […]

1 Apr 2022

Express Entry Update: Provincial Nominee Draw

On March 30, 2022, Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued a new round of invitations to apply for permanent residence. Invitations were issued to candidates who qualify for selection under the Provincial Nominee Class. The minimum score selected was 785, and 919 candidates were invited to apply. To qualify for selection under the Provincial […]

17 Mar 2022

Immigration Update

Canada’s Very Special (And Exceptional) Measures for Ukrainians Fleeing the War Our Canadian government has provided a swift immigration response to Russian’s violent invasion of Ukraine by introducing several new immigration streams for Ukrainians who wish a safe refuge in Canada temporarily or permanently. For Ukrainians who wish to travel to Canada temporarily, the Canadian […]

3 Mar 2022

Immigration Update

New Travel Measures Allow for More Facilitative Entry to Canada As of February 28, 2022, Canada has amended some travel measures allowing for greater ease of entry for vaccinated travellers. Antigen tests taken the day prior to travel may now be used as pre-entry tests, or travellers may continue to use molecular tests taken within […]

16 Feb 2022

Immigration Update

Express Entry Update: Provincial Nominee Draw On February 16, 2022, Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued a new round of invitations to apply for permanent residence. Invitations were issued to candidates who qualify for selection under the Provincial Nominee Class. The minimum score selected was 710, and 1082 candidates were invited to apply. To […]

6 Jan 2022

Immigration Update

Express Entry Update: Provincial Nominee Draw On January 5, 2022, Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued a new round of invitations to apply for permanent residence. Invitations were issued to candidates who qualify for selection under the Provincial Nominee Class. The minimum score selected was 808, and 392 candidates were invited to apply. To […]