Strengthening Canada’s Regulation of Immigration Consultants
The Government of Canada is proposing new legislation to create a new self-regulatory body, the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants, to be the official watchdog of immigration consultants across...
New Process for Sponsoring Parents and Grandparents
Previously, applicants rushed to submit their Parent and Grandparent Program applications by courier, in hopes of being one of the first 10,000 applications to be accepted for processing; however, this...
Faster Removal of Foreign Criminals
The Faster Removal of Foreign Criminals Act, Bill C-43, proposes major changes to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act that will limit avenues of appeal to permanent residents with convictions, and...
Start Up Visa Program Launched
By partnering with Canadian investors, those with a strong business concept who seek immigration into Canada may now consider applying to the Start Up Visa Program for Business Class applications, launched...
Federal Skilled Worker Program Re-opens
The Federal Skilled Worker Program will reopen May 4, 2013, with several fundamental changes to its criteria, since being paused July 1, 2012. Although Federal Skilled Worker applications are currently being accepted...
Immigration Canada Designates Countries of Origin
Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) now has 35 countries listed as Designated Countries of Origin (DCO), 27 in effect as of December 15, 2012 and an additional eight as of...
Federal Skilled Trades Program Now Open
Citizenship and Immigration Canada is now accepting permanent residence applications to the newly developed Federal Skilled Trades Program. Its purpose is to recruit talent to compensate for the shortage of...
Work Requirement Eased for Canadian Experience Class
The work experience required to apply to the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) has been eased for those applying as workers or students. Both streams now require 12 months within 36 months of...
Changes proposed to International Student Program
Changes to the International Student Progam have been announced, some of which are aimed at preventing fraud. Under the proposed changes, schools would have to be designated by a provincial...
Work Permit Allows Hopeful Economic Immigrants to Work
The newly created Bridging Open Work Permit allows those with an application in process for permanent residence in certain economic classes to continue working while awaiting a final decision on their...