For many years Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has introduced new programs and policies to attract international students to complete post-secondary studies in Canada. The result has been a dramatic increase in the number of international students living in Canada who are making significant contributions to the economy.
The Coronavirus continues to spread at lightning speed both in China and around the globe. The Government of Canada has done its part to assist permanent and temporary residents as well as pending applicants to be able to able to either come to or remain in Canada on an urgent basis to minimize health risks to individuals.
For the past two years I have delivered a presentation in December on the most interesting and influential immigration court decisions released during the calendar year. Preparing for these presentations has given me the opportunity to look at general trends in immigration cases rather than focus on specific issues for my clients as a Vancouver immigration lawyer.
The start of a new year is always a good time to ponder what lies in store in the coming months. In immigration terms, there can be no better indicator than to look at a new Minister of Immigration’s engagement letter from his boss. In assigning the role of Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship to MP Marco Mendicino, Prime Minister Trudeau set out his expectations and gave some strong clues of what Canadians and prospective immigrants can anticipate in the coming year.
Canadians and permanent residents who want to sponsor their parents and grandparents for permanent residence will have to wait longer this year for instructions on how to participate in the popular program. On December 30, 2019 Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced that they have postponed the launch of the parents and grandparents (PGP) sponsorship program for 2020 until further notice. New instructions may not be released about the implementation of the 2020 program until as late as April 1, 2020.
This past November the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) was introduced by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) opening a path for permanent residence for applicants willing to settle permanently in smaller, northern communities across Canada. Following upon the success of the Atlantic Immigration Pilot program, IRCC solicited communities to participate and at the time of introduction of the program, 11 communities across western Canada and Ontario had registered.
In my immigration practice I meet people everyday who are interested in coming to Canada or staying to study, visit or work, or to obtain permanent resident status. Some of my clients come very prepared and have done a lot of independent research, while others are just beginning to learn about the available options to meet their immigration goals.
Having just returned from a trip to India where I met with aspiring international students from across the country, I feel it imperative to share an observation: not all current and prospective international students are destined to become permanent residents of Canada. I share this important conclusion so that international students to Canada can assess their circumstances and determine the best means to achieve their objectives.
Canada’s international student population continues to increase given that a Canadian education is one of the best ways to obtain that essential Canadian work experience to be able to qualify for PR in the future. But studying in Canada is not a guarantee that you will be able to remain permanently in Canada. Before commencing your studies in Canada, be sure that you fully understand all the steps in the process for studying, working and being able to qualify for permanent residence.
We are more and more frequently being consulted by individuals seeking advice as to how to remedy their situations in Canada where they have received improper or even illegal advice from immigration professionals. Frequently, the circumstances facing the individuals coming to see us are due to unreasonable expectations about how to remain in Canada or obtain status that is not generally permitted.
Sas and Ing Immigration Law Centre LLP
A partnership between Catherine Sas Law Corporation and Victor Ing Law Corporation
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