HomeAuthorPreet Gill, Author at Immigration Lawyer Vancouver, Canada | Sas & Ing Immigration Law Centre

Humanitarian and Compassionate (“H&C”) applications are often the last resort for persons left with no other means of immigrating or remaining in Canada due to their personal circumstances. Under s.25(1) of the Immigration, Refugee and Protection Act (“IRPA”), H&C applications can be made from inside or outside Canada as an alternative to meeting the usual criteria for immigration. Individuals who are otherwise inadmissible to Canada may also be able to apply for special consideration based on H&C grounds.

The Agri-Food Pilot (“AFP”) is a Canadian economic-class immigration program introduced in May 2020 that will remain in effect until May 2023. This 3-year pilot program was implemented to address the labor needs of Canadian employers in the agriculture sector. The AFP provides a direct pathway to Canadian permanent residence for skilled workers employed in agricultural industries across Canada.

The federal government has recently announced that starting February 22, 2021, new rules and regulations will affect international travellers coming to Canada. With few exceptions such as for travellers offering essential services, air and land travellers to Canada must now present both a negative COVID-19 test and a suitable post-arrival quarantine plan for their trip.

2020 was a year of change and uncertainty in Canadian immigration law. The COVID-19 pandemic touched all aspects of immigration processing and there were times when it felt like the rules were changing weekly.

In January 2013, Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) first introduced an identification and security measure known as biometrics with a view of strengthening Canada’s immigration programs through identity theft prevention and effective screening for previous criminal or immigration history.