Note: The following is an excerpt from the same-name article on Global and Mail. As the articles suggests, the changes, if implemented, represent the biggest “overhaul” of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, and the consequence will be far-reaching. Jeff Li…
Category: Immigration Blog
Blog on Canada and United States immigration matters provided by Toronto Lawyer Jeff Jiehui Li
BC Immigration Consulting Firm Faces Fraud Charges
[Vancouver Sun] A Vancouver immigration consulting firm is alleged to have created fake jobs for foreigners to help them gain permanent resident status, a B.C. Supreme Court ruling reveals. The Canada Border Service Agency executed search warrants in October 2012…
The art of negotiation
Most people know that lawyers argue and fight in the court. Few people know, however, that lawyers are negotiators who constantly try to make a deal outside the court. Think about that: in the contexts of both family law and…
New Start-Up Visa Program In Force April 1
Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) announced on January 24, 2013 the launch of a new entrepreneur program – the so called “Start-up Visa” program that is expected to help innovative immigrant entrepreneurs. Toronto lawyer Jeff Li, who provides both immigration law…
New Federal Skilled Trades Program Accepts Applications and List of Occupations
Ottawa, January 2, 2013 — The brand-new Federal Skilled Trades Program begins accepting applications today, announced Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney. “The new Skilled Trades Program will address serious labour shortages that some regions of the country are facing,…
Bridging Open Work Permits for Certain Federal Economic Class Applicants
On December 15, 2012, Citizenship and Immigration Canada issued Operational Bulletin 485. The title above and the contents below are self-explanatory. Summary Effective December 15, 2012,qualifying foreign nationals currently in Canada who have submitted an application for permanent residence (PR) under the…
Canada to Begin Collecting Biometrics from Certain Foreign Nationals
Ottawa, December 7, 2012 — In order to facilitate legitimate travel, nationals of twenty‑nine countries and one territory will soon need to provide their biometrics to come to Canada to visit, study or work, under regulations proposed today by Citizenship, Immigration…
Abandonment of citizenship applications and proof of residence
On November 16, 2012, Citizenship and Immigration Canada introduced Operation Bulletin 476, entitled “Abandonment of citizenship grant applications where proof of residence has not been provided.” Below is an excerpt of the Bulletin. Background Applicants for Canadian citizenship are responsible…
2013: Federal Skilled Worker Program quota reduced; CEC quota increased
On November 2, 2012, Citizenship and Immigration Minister Jason Kenney announced the target quota for the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) is between 53,500 to 55,300 for 2013. In the past years, Canada accepted on average 100,000 immigrants under the FSWP…
Spouses must live with sponsors for two years to keep permanent resident status
Mississauga, October 26, 2012 — In an ongoing effort to deter people from using marriages of convenience to cheat their way into Canada, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) introduced a new regulation that requires certain sponsored spouses live in a legitimate…