As immigration lawyers we are frequently told by clients “I don’t need a work permit - I’m just volunteering!” Understanding what is considered work and what is considered volunteering is vital to ensure that you maintain valid legal status while in Canada. For those in Canada on visitor status, it is important to know what you can and can’t do without a work permit. Providing services without receiving payment does not equal “volunteering” and in most cases will require a work permit.
On June 27, 2023 the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, the Honourable Sean Fraser, announced the creation of a new and groundbreaking “Tech Talent Strategy” that is intended to attract technology workers to Canada. While similar initiatives such as the Global Skills Strategy have been created in the past, the Tech Talent Strategy differs from its predecessors because it takes a holistic approach to improving our current immigration system when it comes to Canada’s ability to attract and retain technology workers. Employers working in the technology sector will want to familiarize themselves with the details of the Tech Talent Strategy.
BlogImmigration Minister Fraser’s announcement does not excuse blame for all international students in Canada
20 June 2023
Last week’s announcement by Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Refugees Canada (IRCC), the Honourable Sean Fraser, was indeed a welcome development for international students in Canada who have unknowingly fallen prey to unscrupulous immigration representatives. But let’s be clear - this does not let all Canadian international students off the hook for transgressions while studying. The onus on all foreign nationals seeking status in Canada is a very high standard and it is worth reviewing to remind students what their responsibilities are while studying in Canada.
Today, June 14, 2023, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the Honorable Sean Fraser, did something truly honorable for international students in Canada who have been victims of immigration fraud by unscrupulous representatives - he introduced a policy directing immigration officers and Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers to grant a temporary resident permit to students who have actually studied in Canada and were clearly unaware of the improper actions of their representatives.
On May 8, 2023 the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced the extension of the Agri-Food Pilot until May 14, 2025. This unique pathway to permanent residency was first introduced in May 2020 and offers an immigration pathway for workers in the farming and food processing industries.
BlogSponsoring Your Spouse for Canadian Permanent Residence: The Art of Proving Genuine Relationships!
1 May 2023
Family reunification is a fundamental cornerstone of Canada’s immigration program. Parents are able to sponsor their dependent minor children and spouses can sponsor their spouses whether from abroad or from within Canada. While a birth certificate is proof positive of a parental relationship, establishing a spousal relationship can be much trickier. Spousal relationships include marital and common law relationships and Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) can go beyond a mere marriage certificate to determine whether a relationship is genuine.
BlogOne Step Forward, Two Steps Back: The PSAC Strike and Its Impact on Immigration Applications in Canada
26 April 2023
Federal employees of Service Canada, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB), and the Canada Border Services Agency (CSBA) are all members of the largest workers union in Canada: The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC). Many of the non-essential workers of PSAC went on strike on April 19, 2023, which is expected to cause significant delays and disruption to immigration-related services across the country.
Navigating the age limit for dependent children in Canadian immigration applications can seem challenging. However, being well-informed about this process is vital for optimizing your children’s inclusion in your own immigration application. We aim to clarify the age limit for dependent children in Canadian immigration applications and offer examples to help you better understand this process.
BlogThe Pandemic’s Legacy for Canadian Citizenship Applicants: The Self-Administered Oath
4 April 2023
The Citizenship Oath is both an essential and final step of the Citizenship process. Applicants must swear allegiance to Canada and commit to abiding by its laws, fulfilling their duties as citizens, and respecting the rights of all Canadians. However, attending the Citizenship ceremony, which currently take place on weekdays during regular work hours and lasts approximately 90 minutes, can be a significant hardship for many applicants. Many applicants have to take time off (unpaid) from work and travel long distances causing financial difficulties to fulfil their goal of becoming a Canadian citizen.
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.
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