Express Entry Draw Target Trade and Healthcare Occupations

Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) recently issued three new rounds of invitations to apply to Express Entry. On July 02, 2024, IRCC issued a round of invitations to candidates who qualify for selection under the Provincial Nominee Class. The minimum score selected was 739, and 920 candidates were invited to apply. To qualify for […]

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Temporary Measures for Israeli nationals and Palestinian Passport Holders

IRCC has extended the temporary policy in place for Israeli nationals and Palestinian passport holders in Canada until July 2025. Individuals who qualify under this policy are eligible to apply for open work permits, study permits, or visitor records from inside of Canada. IRCC will waive the fees and will issue the work permits and […]

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Understanding the Changes to Work Permits for Spouses of Foreign Students in Canada

In a recent update, Canada has revised its regulations concerning work permits for spouses of foreign students, significantly impacting eligibility criteria. These changes aim to streamline and focus eligibility on specific categories of students, limiting the availability of work permits for spouses. Under the revised rules, only spouses of graduate students, students in professional programs, […]

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Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement Immigration Provisions in Effect as of July 1, 2024

A renegotiated and modernized Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement (“CUFTA”) came into force on July 1, 2024. The CUFTA now includes provisions that facilitate reciprocal market access for both citizens and permanent residents through the temporary entry of businesspersons in four categories: business visitors, investors, intra-company transferees, and professionals. Business visitors are defined as those for […]

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BARTLAW LLP News

Jacqueline Bart, Managing Partner of BARTLAW LLP, presented on Fire Away S7E05 (a Rudner Law production) about Immigration Law for Employers: What You Need to Know About Compliance and Penalties, on June 18, 2024. Link available here. Oliver Mao, Senior Associate Lawyer at BARTLAW LLP, was a speaker at the Canadian Bar Association (CBA) Immigration […]

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Canada Expands Citizenship to Second Generation Born Abroad

In a landmark ruling in December 2023, Canada’s first generation limit to citizenship by descent was deemed unconstitutional. The Canadian government was given a deadline until June 19, 2024, to amend the law in compliance with the court’s decision. In response, a bill proposing changes to the legislation is currently under consideration in Parliament. The […]

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Express Entry Draws Resume with first Canadian Experience Class Targeted Draw since 2021

This week, Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued two new rounds of invitations to apply to Express Entry. On May 30, 2024, IRCC issued a round of invitations to candidates who qualify for selection under the Provincial Nominee Class. The minimum score selected was 676, and 2,985 candidates were invited to apply. To qualify […]

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Trump Could Be Banned from Canada due to Guilty Verdict

The May 30th, 2024 guilty verdict for Donald Trump could have more than just criminal implications for the former president. Individuals who are convicted of certain criminal offences outside of Canada are banned from entering Canada. The criminal offence must be one that is equivalent to an indictable offence in Canada, and Trump’s charges of […]

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Self-Employed Permanent Residence Applications

Minister Miller has announced a temporary suspension of application intake for the Self-Employed Persons Program, effective April 30, 2024, to prioritize the processing of existing applications. This program offers a pathway to permanent residence for individuals with considerable experience in fields such as art, culture, recreation, or sports, who will enhance Canada’s cultural landscape. Due […]

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Start-Up Visa Caps for Designated Organizations

As of April 30, Canada has imposed a cap on the number of permanent residence applications associated with the Start-Up Visa program. This cap restricts applications to ten startups per designated organization annually. Designated organizations include venture capital firms, angel investors and business incubators. This decision, according to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), aims […]

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Changes to Working Hour Rules for International Students

In the ever-evolving landscape of Canada’s international study program, IRCC has made yet another revision to the rules surrounding working hours for international students. Effective fall 2024, full-time international students will now be permitted to work off campus for a total of 24 hours a week. Previously, students were restricted to a maximum of 20 […]

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Foreign Buyers Tax in Canada

This legislative summary offers a concise overview of the foreign buyer’s tax in Canada and its potential implications for those considering purchasing property in the country. The foreign buyers tax rules effective from January 1, 2023, restrict non-Canadian individuals and commercial entities from acquiring Canadian residential properties. This legislative move aims to address concerns about […]

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More Options for Open Work Permits for H-1B Work Permit Holders

Bringing experts in STEM fields and other highly skilled professions to Canada aligns with our government’s endeavors to attract and retain top talent to tackle labor market shortages and skills gaps. On September 27, 2023, a fresh temporary public policy came into effect, aimed at streamlining specific applications received by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada […]

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Canada Issues Third STEM Draw Under Express Entry Category Based Selection

This week, Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued two new rounds of invitations to apply to Express Entry. On April 10, 2024, IRCC issued a general 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 […]

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Canada Targets Transport Sector in This Week’s Express Entry Draw

This week, Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued two new rounds of invitations to apply to Express Entry. On March 12, 2024, IRCC issued a general 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 […]

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BARTLAW LLP Publication – Start-Up Visas

The Start-Up Visa category is an excellent option for tech professionals not eligible under Express Entry. Jacqueline Bart and Clara Morrissey co-authored the article “The Start Up Visa Program and Canada’s Tech Talent Strategy”, ABA International Law News Winter 2024 Vol. 51 No. 2, February 2024.  The article can be accessed here.

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Finland-Canada Expand Youth International Mobility

On March 1, the Honorable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced that the Canada–Finland Youth Mobility Agreement, signed on May 19, 2023, is now in effect. This agreement will allow Canadians and Finns aged 18 to 35 to work and travel in each other’s country through the international experience program or the Finnish equivalent.

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Open and Closed Work Permits for Young Foreign Nationals

Individuals 35 years and under may qualify under at least three possible categories of participation through bilateral agreements and arrangements such as: Working Holiday (travel and work): Participants are eligible to apply for an open work permit that will allow them to work for any employer or location in Canada to subsidize their stay as they travel […]

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Iranian Special Measures Extended

The special measures have been extended to February 28, 2025, whereby Iranian nationals in Canada with valid temporary resident status can continue to study, work or visit family by applying for an extension of their status free of charge. They can also apply to move between temporary streams, from within Canada, at no cost. Canadian […]

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Canada Continues to Target French-Speaking Candidates in New Express Entry Draw

This week, Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued two new rounds of invitations to apply to Express Entry. On February 28, 2024 IRCC issued a general 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 […]

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Canada Reverts to Visa Requirement for Mexican Citizens

Mexicans will need to apply for a Canadian visitor visa as of February 29, 2024, for travel to Canada. However, Mexican citizens who hold a valid US non-immigrant visa or have held a Canadian visa in the past 10 years and are travelling by air on a Mexican passport will be able to apply for […]

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Canada Targets Healthcare Professionals in This Week’s Express Entry Draw

This week, Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued two new rounds of invitations to apply to Express Entry. On February 13, 2024, IRCC issued a general 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 […]

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Canada Invites 7,000 French-Speaking Candidates to Apply for Express Entry

On February 01, 2024, Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued a round of category-based selection invitations to candidates with proficiency in French. This draw invited 7,000 candidates to apply, making it one of the largest Express Entry draws we have seen in the last 12 months. The minimum score required for selection was 365 […]

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New Permanent Residence Pathway for Foreign Nationals who were in State Care

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has introduced a new temporary public policy providing a pathway to permanent residence for foreign nationals who were in state care in Canada. To be eligible, the applicant must meet the following criteria: Have come to Canada before they were 19 years old; Have continuously resided in Canada for at […]

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BARTLAW LLP Publication – January 22, 2024

Carrie Wright, a partner at BARTLAW LLP, and Annsley Kesten, a senior associate lawyer, published a two-part article titled “2023 in review: Key changes to Canadian immigration, part one” and “2023 in review: Key changes to Canadian immigration, part two” on Law360 Canada. Click this link to access part one and this link to access part two […]

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BARTLAW LLP Publication – January 23, 2024

Annsley Kesten, a senior associate lawyer at BARTLAW LLP, published an article titled “International students: Two-year cap, post-graduation and spousal restrictions” on Law360 Canada. Click this link to access the article.

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All Program Express Entry Draw Invites 1,040 Candidates to Apply

On January 23, 2024, 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, and in all occupation classifications. This week’s draw […]

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Major Changes to Canadian Citizenship by Descent Forthcoming

In December, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice published a decision finding Canada’s “first generation” limit on citizenship unconstitutional. At present, if you obtain Canadian citizenship by birth or through naturalization, you can pass on Canadian citizenship to your children who are born outside of Canada. Your children, however, cannot pass on citizenship to their […]

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Latest BARTLAW LLP Publication

Jacqueline Bart, our managing partner, and Genevieve Giesbrecht, an associate lawyer at BARTLAW LLP, published an article titled “Federal Court’s new definition of ‘espionage’ widely broadens immigration officer discretion” on Law360 Canada. Click this link to access the article.

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Last Chance for Iranian nationals in Canada to apply for Open Work Permits

Iranian nationals with valid temporary status in Canada have until February 28, 2024, to apply for open work permits, study permits, or extended visitor status. As such, if you are interested in applying under this policy, please contact us as soon as possible.

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Special Temporary Measures for Extended Family Members in Gaza

On December 21, Canada announced that it would be introducing special temporary measures for Palestinians living in Gaza who have family members in Canada, in response to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas that commenced after the terrorist attack on Israel by Hamas and the taking of Israeli hostages by the attackers on October […]

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New Permanent Residence Pathway for Foreign Nationals Affected by the Conflict in Sudan

On February 27, 2024, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada will open intake under the new  Temporary Public Policy to Facilitate Permanent Residence to Certain Foreign Nationals Affected by the Conflict in Sudan with Family in Canada. To qualify, the applicant must have been living in Sudan on April 15, 2023. The applicant must not have […]

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Expansion of Canada’s International Experience Canada Program in 2024

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is expanding the International Experience Canada (IEC) program to include Finnish youth. The Canada-Finland Youth Mobility Agreement between Canada and Finland under the IEC program facilitates the opportunity for 18 to 35-year-olds to work and explore each other’s countries for up to 12 months in three designated categories: Working […]

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Quebec Investor Program Re-opens with New Criteria

After being closed for several years, the Quebec Investor Program has re-opened to intake effective January 01, 2024. The program has implemented new eligibility criteria. As of this time, no quota on the number of applications to be accepted has been announced. The updated criteria for the Quebec Investor Program in 2024 is as follows: […]

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First Express Entry Draw of 2024

On January 10, 2024, 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, and in all occupation classifications. This week’s draw […]

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