Immigration Update: Various Updates (May 22, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. EDT)

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During this unusual time, CILF – Caruso Guberman Appleby, is here to continue to support you with respect to all of your immigration needs. We are here to answer your questions and keep you informed. We will provide updates as soon as they are available. Our firm is well positioned to continue to focus on your immigration needs.
 
Happy Friday everyone. Here are a few important immigration updates from this week:
  1. The Canada-U.S. border closure has been extended for a second time. It will remain closed for another 30 days until June 21. All non-optional and non-discretionary travel (by land and air) will be continue to be restricted. Travel remains highly challenging as airline personnel and border officers are applying varying definitions of eligible travel and travellers. Spouses of Canadian citizens and work permit holders residing in Canada are exempt from the travel restriction but some have nonetheless been denied entry. The key to securing entry is to be prepared, so we recommend that individuals needing to enter Canada for any reason reach out to our office before travel.
  2. The current Post-Graduation Work Permit eligibility criteria have been temporarily relaxed given that many study programs are being conducted online. Normally, courses that are not completed in person (distance learning) affect the length of the PGWP, and eligible programs cannot contain more than 50% distance learning courses. The government has announced that studies completed outside Canada up to December 31, 2020 will not affect the length of the PGWP, and that PGWP eligibility will not be affected if a student’s Fall 2020 courses (September to December 2020) are held online.
  3. The Agri-Food Pilot has started accepting applications. This three-year pilot program is designed to help individuals in the meat processing, mushroom and greenhouse production, and livestock-raising industries obtain permanent residence. The program will accept 2,750 applications per year.
  4. New Brunswick will begin allowing temporary foreign workers into the province starting May 29. The province’s decision to stop allowing temporary foreign workers into New Brunswick starting April 28 was strongly criticized by many employers, especially those in the farming and seafood processing sectors, as these employers rely heavily on foreign workers.
 
We also continue to recommend that anyone (including Canadian citizens and permanent residents) seeking to enter or exit Canada speak with an immigration lawyer before doing so.Our lawyers can be reached by phone (416 368 1111) or via email: caruso@cilf.ca; guberman@cilf.ca; appleby@cilf.ca; cowling@cilf.ca; bonisteel@cilf.ca; tsoi@cilf.ca; ali@cilf.ca; green@cilf.ca
 

Please contact your lawyer at CILF – Caruso Guberman Appleby for additional details or specific questions.