Immigration Update: Great News for Eligible Holders of Post-Graduation Work Permits (January 11, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. EDT)

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CILF is here to support you with respect to all of your immigration needs with information to keep you informed. Our firm is always available to focus on your immigration needs.

Each year, tens of thousands of international students receive a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) after completing an eligible postsecondary program in Canada. The PGWP then allows the graduate to earn Canadian work experience and potentially qualify for permanent residence.

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the ability of many PGWP holders to gain Canadian work experience, and accordingly, has scuttled their plans to settle in Canada permanently. PGWPs cannot be extended and individuals are only allowed to receive one PGWP in their lifetime.

IRCC has announced that starting January 27, 2021, PGWP holders that meet the following criteria will be eligible to apply for an open work permit valid for 18 months:

  • Have a PGWP that expired on or after January 30, 2020 or a PGWP that expires in 4 months or less from the date of application
  • Have valid temporary resident status or be eligible to restore their status

Additional details will be released on January 27, 2021, but at this time we know that applications will be accepted from January 27 to July 27, 2021. This means that the target population of this program are individuals with a PGWP that expired or expires between January 30, 2020 and November 27, 2021.

If you or someone you know has a PGWP that expires between these dates, please contact our office for guidance.

We 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; fagan@cilf.ca; bonisteel@cilf.ca; elmalah@cilf.ca; tsoi@cilf.ca; ali@cilf.ca; green@cilf.ca; love@cilf.ca

Please contact your lawyer at CILF for additional details or specific questions.

CILF Welcomes Lesley Love

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Corporate Immigration Law Firm is pleased to announce that Lesley Love has joined our firm. Lesley brings with her extensive Canadian immigration law experience, advising both individual and corporate clients, focusing on the Kitchener-Waterloo area.

Prior to joining CILF, Lesley practised solely in the area of immigration law at a medium-sized firm in London, Ontario, initiated an immigration practice at a small firm in Cambridge, Ontario and was a senior immigration lawyer at an international law firm. She helps companies looking to connect with international employees or send their own abroad as well as obtaining immigration documentation for accompanying family members of foreign national recruits. Lesley has appeared as counsel at all levels of court and has represented clients at the Immigration Appeal Division and the Refugee Board.

She has also spoken at events for a number of professional organizations including the International Bar Association, the Human Resources Professional Association and the United Nations. Lesley was recognized as a Top 40 Under 40 in Waterloo Region and a top Immigration Lawyer by Legal 500.

Lesley can be reached at love@cilf.ca or 519-804-9584.

Immigration in Review – Immigration Update: Various (January 4, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. EDT)

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CILF is here to support you with respect to all of your immigration needs with information to keep you informed. Our firm is always available to focus on your immigration needs.

Happy new year to all! We hope everyone had a restful holiday season.

Here are some recent immigration developments worth noting:

Pre-departure COVID testing mandatory as of January 7 at 12:01 a.m. EST: As of this date, all individuals aged five or older (including Canadian citizens and permanent residents) flying to Canada must present a negative COVID-19 PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test result conducted within 72 hours prior to boarding a flight. Airlines are required to deny boarding to any individuals who are unable to fulfill this requirement.

The only individuals exempt from this requirement are crew members, emergency service providers and those on flights that are refueling in Canada.

This does not replace the 14-day self-isolation requirement upon arrival in Canada applicable to most individuals entering the country.

Travel restrictions to Canada and self-isolation extended to January 21, 2021: Based on the most recent Orders in Council, travel restrictions continue to apply to those travelling to Canada from the United States and to those travelling to Canada from a country other than the United States. The requirement to self-isolate for 14 days upon entering Canada has also been extended to January 21, 2021.

Implication of new COVID strain for those entering Canada: Due to the new strain of coronavirus recently detected in the U.K., passenger flights from the U.K. are suspended until at least January 6. Individuals who have been in the U.K. or South Africa in the 14 days prior to entering Canada will be subject to additional screening.

Extension of temporary public policy applicable to certain out-of-status foreign nationals: In July 2020, we reported that IRCC has announced a temporary public policy allowing certain out-of-status foreign nationals in Canada until December 31, 2020 (instead of the usual 90 days) to apply for restoration of status. It also allows certain former work permit holders with job offers to work while the restoration application is in process. Normally individuals cannot work while waiting their status to be restored. This policy has been extended until August 31, 2021.

U.K. citizens no longer eligible for work permits under CETA: As of January 1, 2021, U.K. citizens are no longer eligible for work under CETA. The Canada-U.K. Free Trade Agreement has not been ratified yet but is expected to occur in early 2021. In the meantime, U.K. citizens looking to work in Canada will need a Labour Market Impact Assessment if they do not qualify under another LMIA-exempt category.

We 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; fagan@cilf.ca; bonisteel@cilf.ca; elmalah@cilf.ca; tsoi@cilf.ca; ali@cilf.ca; green@cilf.ca; love@cilf.ca

Please contact your lawyer at CILF for additional details or specific questions.

Immigration in Review – The Year of the Pandemic – Webinar Tuesday December 15 12:00 – 13:00

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WEBINAR: Join BJ Caruso, Joel S Guberman and Lainie M Appleby on Tuesday, December 15 from 1200 to 1300 EDT for a discussion on the Top Ten Immigration Trends and Changes in 2020. Learn about predictions for 2021.

SUMMARY: Immigration in Review – The Year of the Pandemic

While Covid-19 and related travel restrictions were the big immigration stories for 2020, there were also other important changes impacting those with Canadian and US immigration needs. Whether it is the continued movement of workers, reuniting with family or understanding how WFH has affected government processing we have these updates for you.

We invite you to join our lawyers for a discussion of these top of mind immigration topics.

REGISTER NOW using the link below:

https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/quboRci/endofyear

Immigration Update: Various (November 19, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. EST)

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During this unusual time, CILF 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.
We have a few immigration developments to share today:
 
ArriveCAN App Mandatory as of November 21: As of this date, those travelling by air must submit information through ArriveCAN before boarding their flight. You can access ArriveCAN here: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19/arrivecan.html. Those entering Canada at a land border are encouraged to use ArriveCAN, but it is not mandatory at this time. Additionally, all individuals entering Canada who are not exempted from mandatory self-isolation are required to submit information through ArriveCAN or call 1-833-641-0343 within 48 hours of arriving at their place of isolation. Those who do not use ArriveCAN must call this number daily during the isolation period to provide updates. Those who do not comply with these requirements may be contacted by law enforcement.
 
Canada-U.S. land border closure extended: Another 30 days to December 21. No surprise here.
 
Alberta COVID-19 testing pilot program: Certain travellers entering Alberta may, instead of completing 14 days of self-isolation, agree to take two free COVID-19 tests. The first is administered on arrival. If a negative result is obtained, the traveller may leave his or her place of self-isolation but is still subject to certain restrictions for the 14 day period. The traveller must also agree to complete a second COVID-19 test six or seven days after arrival. This kind of program could be rolled out in other areas of the country in the coming months and greatly facilitate international travel.
 
New Immigration Pathways for Hong Kong residents: In response to the escalating political situation in Hong Kong, the Canadian immigration department has announced two new immigration pathways for certain Hong Kong residents (eligibility for an open work permit valid for up to three years and a permanent residence stream). This is a significant and rare change in Canada’s immigration program as these pathways are designed specifically for residents of a certain jurisdiction. More details will be announced in the coming months.
 
We 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; fagan@cilf.ca; bonisteel@cilf.ca; elmalah@cilf.ca; tsoi@cilf.ca; ali@cilf.ca; green@cilf.ca; 

Please contact your lawyer at CILF for additional details or specific questions.

Immigration Update: Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship Program Opening Soon! (October 5, 2020 at 4:00 p.m. EDT)

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During this unusual time, CILF 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.

Great news for those wishing to sponsor their parents or grandparents! IRCC announced today that it will be accepting interest to sponsor forms from October 13, 2020 to November 3, 2020 through an online system. The 2020 intake was delayed this year due to COVID-19.

IRCC will conduct a lottery to determine who will receive invitations to submit a sponsorship application. Invited applicants will have 60 days to submit a complete application. Up to 10,000 applications will be accepted for processing under the 2020 program year.

Applicants are encouraged to ensure that they meet the eligibility requirements to sponsor before submitting the interest to sponsor form, as IRCC has announced a change to the eligibility requirements.

IRCC has also announced that it will accept up to 30,000 parent/grandparent sponsorship applications in 2021 using the same lottery method.

We recommend that anyone wishing to sponsor a parent or grandparent speak to one of our immigration lawyers to determine eligibility and obtain assistance with registering their interest with IRCC through the online system. 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; fagan@cilf.ca; bonisteel@cilf.ca; elmalah@cilf.ca; tsoi@cilf.ca; ali@cilf.ca; green@cilf.ca; 

Please contact your lawyer at CILF for additional details or specific questions.

Immigration Update: Various Updates (September 18, 2020 at 12:00 PM EDT)

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During this unusual time, CILF 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.

We have a few immigration developments to share today:

Temporary reprieve for PNP candidates who have lost their employment: losing employment before landing has almost always been fatal to a PNP applicant’s application for permanent residence. IRCC has put a temporary measure in place for Provincial Nominee Class applicants who have lost their job and whose applications were received before March 18, 2020. From September 17 to November 17, 2020, PNP offices can request that these applicants’ cases be put on hold (until March 17, 2021 at the latest). This will allow these candidates time to secure new employment.
 
Canada-U.S. border to remain closed for another month: the closure has been extended once again to October 21.
 
Entry to Canada from all countries other than the U.S.: the restrictions are in effect until September 30 and will likely be extended. No announcement has been made on this yet.
 
Self-isolation exemptions under media scrutiny: this week there has been media attention on who is eligible for an exemption from the 14-day self-isolation requirement based on national interest considerations. We are monitoring the situation closely to see if the government will clarify or amend its current position relating to these national interest exemptions.
 
Biometrics collection in Canada to gradually resume: for now this is limited to permanent residence applicants. Service Canada officers will reach out to candidates to schedule the appointment. Biometrics for temporary residence applicants in Canada are waived until further notice.
 
Certain visitors can now apply for work permits from within Canada: certain visitors who are in Canada and have received a job offer can apply for an employer-specific work permit without leaving the country. Without this temporary public policy in place these individuals would need to make an application from outside Canada and as part of that process leave and re-enter the country to obtain the work permit.
 
We 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; fagan@cilf.ca; bonisteel@cilf.ca; elmalah@cilf.ca; tsoi@cilf.ca; ali@cilf.ca; green@cilf.ca; 

Please contact your lawyer at CILF for additional details or specific questions.

Four CILF Lawyers Included in Best Lawyers in Canada

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CILF Ottawa Welcomes Shay El Malah!

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Corporate Immigration Law Firm (CILF) is pleased to announce that our Ottawa office is expanding. Shay El Malah has joined our Ottawa office as an associate. Prior to joining CILF, Shay completed her articles in Halifax, NS where she worked with Nova Scotia Legal Aid and the Halifax Refugee Clinic. After completing her legal studies at Dalhousie University, Shay worked as an Immigration Lawyer with a boutique Ottawa immigration law firm. In addition to representing clients on various types of immigration and citizenship applications, she has appeared before both the Refugee Protection Division and the Immigration Appeal Division of the Immigration and Refugee Board.

CILF’s Ottawa office is led by Jacqueline Bonisteel, who has represented both corporate and individual clients in immigration, refugee and citizenship matters since her call to the Ontario bar in 2012. Jacqueline is a frequent media commentator and speaker at conferences, and a regular guest presenter at the University of Ottawa Faculty of Law. The Ottawa office is also supported by our larger team of lawyers based in our Toronto office, including Barbara Jo Caruso, Joel Guberman and Lainie Appleby, who are consistently ranked amount the top immigration lawyers in Canada. CILF has the distinction of being ranked in the top ten immigration boutiques by Canadian Lawyer Magazine.