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Minister Marc Miller of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship introduced significant reforms to Canada’s federal business immigration initiatives, aimed at slashing processing times and clearing application backlogs. Effective April 30, 2024, these changes aim to streamline the Start-up Visa Program. Notable measures include limiting the number of permanent residence applications processed annually to a maximum of 10 start-ups per designated organization and prioritizing entrepreneurs supported by Canadian capital or affiliated with Tech Network incubators for expedited processing. Starting April 30, 2024, Minister Marc Miller announced a temporary suspension of application intake for the Self-Employed Persons Program. This pause aims to focus...

IRCC announced revisions to post-graduation work permit eligibility for international graduates of college programs delivered through public-private partnerships. Effective May 15, 2024, this adjustment shifts the eligibility criteria, originally slated for September 1, 2024. Consequently, students enrolling in such programs from May 15, 2024, onward will not qualify for a post-graduation work permit upon completion. However, graduates can still apply for alternative work permits, particularly for occupations facing shortages in Canada, supported by employer-approved labor market impact assessments. The list of designated learning institutions, indicating post-graduation work permit eligibility, is available on the IRCC website. IRCC commits to collaborating with...

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announces the designation of the Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB) as the new body for issuing Educational Credential Assessments (ECAs) for architects seeking immigration to Canada. Effective May 20, 2024, applicants intending to pursue economic permanent residence must obtain an ECA from CACB if their primary occupation falls under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) of Architects (code 21200). ECAs serve to validate the authenticity and equivalence of foreign credentials to Canadian standards, aiding in both immigration eligibility and licensing processes. Detailed guidance on obtaining ECAs from CACB will be accessible online, facilitating informed decision-making...

Commencing April 30, 2024, fees for all permanent residence applications in Canada will undergo an increase as part of a regular update cycle. This adjustment, occurring every two years, aims to manage the rising costs associated with program operations and service delivery, while also addressing inflationary pressures. Applicants planning to submit their permanent resident applications on or after April 30 are encouraged to review the provided chart detailing the impacted programs and corresponding fee hikes. Program Applicants Current Fee New Fee as of April 30, 2024 Right of permanent residence fee Principal applicant and accompanying spouse or common-law partner $515...

The Government of Canada is leveraging automation technologies to process adult passport renewals, reaffirming its commitment to responsible tech usage. This automation aids passport officers in processing routine renewals by confirming application details against existing records and identifying any restrictions. While enhancing efficiency, it complements officer oversight rather than replacing it. The technology ensures continued adherence to service standards, especially during peak demand, without compromising on review quality. Notably, the tool is solely utilized for adult renewals, with officers retaining manual review for first-time, children and complex applications. Decisions concerning passport refusal, cancellation, or revocation remain within officer jurisdiction, supported...

Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced the introduction of new automated tools to assist processing of Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) and work permit extensions. Currently, not much is known about the new automation tools apart from the fact that they will take on two important tasks usually handled by IRCC officers: triage (a first assessment to determine the urgency of applications) and the eligibility assessment of applications. How will these new tools be used? The triage function of the new automated tools takes on “clerical and repetitive tasks” related to the sorting of applications by priority—in theory allowing...

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) requires that all foreign language documents submitted in support of applications for immigration and citizenship must be accompanied by an official translation in English or French. The translation of these documents must also be completed by a certified official translator. An applicant who fails to have their documents officially translated and certified may have their application refused or be considered incomplete. The Case of Hasan Gorgulu The case of Hasan Gorgulu is a worthwhile example of why it is important to ensure full accuracy and completion of foreign language document translation alongside an immigration...

Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, visited Winnipeg today for an announcement regarding visa-free travel. Passport holders from 13 countries will now be able to travel to Canada by air without requiring a Temporary Residence Visa. However, this applies only to travellers from these countries who have either held a Canadian visa in the last 10 years or who currently hold a valid United States non-immigrant visa. Eligible travellers include passport holders from: Philippines Morocco Panama Antigua and Barbuda St Kitts and Nevis St Lucia St Vincent and Grenadines Trinidad and Tobago Argentina Costa Rica Uruguay Seychelles Thailand...

Service Canada has reported that passport delivery has returned to pre-pandemic processing times. A recent news release by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) says that there are no more passport application backlogs, and that Service Canada is exceeding the delivery standard for most applications. This is despite a brief disruption caused by the Public Service Alliance of Canada strike that lasted 12 days from April 19-May 1. Nearly all passports are now being delivered within the 10–20-day target (depending on how the passport application is submitted). ESDC says approximately 98% of passports issued are issued within service standards regardless...

You may become a Canadian citizen as long as you meet certain eligibility requirements, including the physical presence requirements. Canada requires you to have lived in the country for at least three years or 1,095 days out of the past five years before applying for Canadian citizenship. The calculation period starts on the day that you became a permanent resident. If you were living in Canada as a temporary resident or Protected Person before becoming a permanent resident, you can include some of that time in your physical presence requirement. Each day spent in Canada as a temporary resident or...