canada

Work in Canada: Labour Market Impact Assessment facts

Some foreign workers in Canada require a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to work in Canada, while others are LMIA-exempt. An LMIA is a document that some employers in Canada need before hiring a temporary foreign worker. This document must be obtained before the foreign national applies for their work permit. It verifies that a foreign worker will have either a positive or neutral effect on the Canadian labour market.

LMIAs are documents that, when approved, confirm that the employer can hire a foreign worker. A positive LMIA is sometimes called a confirmation letter.

Employers typically require an LMIA to hire foreign workers, unless eligible for an exemption. LMIA requirements and exemptions depend on a multitude of factors.

When a foreign national applies for a work permit in Canada, they must ensure that their LMIA is valid. In other words, although a work permit can be issued for a longer period than the LMIA itself is valid, the foreign worker’s LMIA needs to be valid at the time they apply for a work permit.

Entrepreneurs do not require an LMIA to apply for a work permit in Canada. However, foreign nationals coming to work in Canada as entrepreneurs must prove that the business they intend to operate in Canada will either: Create or maintain significant social/cultural/economic benefits, or maintain or create jobs for Canadian citizens or permanent residents.

Although Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates do not require an LMIA to be eligible for this economic immigration program, it may be beneficial for these candidates, and all Express Entry candidates generally, to still obtain an LMIA from their employer. A valid job offer supported by an LMIA will enable the candidate to get additional Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points as an Express Entry applicant.

In a joint press conference on March 21, Immigration Minister Marc Miller and Employment Minister Randy Boissonnault announced several changes to Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). Among these changes, the two ministers announced that the validity period of each LMIA would return to the pre-pandemic standard of six months. This change will take effect on May 1, 2024. Prior to this policy revision, Canada temporarily made LMIAs valid for 12 months during the COVID-19 pandemic.

For more detailed information about Labour Market Impact Assessments contact us at hello@bisonimmigration.com

Parents and Grandparents Program Set to Reopen in May 2024

The Parents and Grandparents program (PGP), the program designed for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents apply for permanent residence, is scheduled to reopen this month, as Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) gets ready to send out invitations to potential sponsors. The department confirmed that starting May 21st, 2024, it will send out 35,700 invitations with the hope of approving 20,500 complete applications.

Who is eligible for the next round of the PGP?

IRCC has announced that it intends to invite candidates from the 2020 intake of the PGP. This means that the individuals receiving invitations in the upcoming round will have submitted their applications in 2020. Under the PGP system, applicants will be invited at random through a lottery system. These invitations will be delivered to sponsors through the email provided on their interest to sponsor form. Sponsors are advised to check their emails starting May 21st, with all invitations being delivered within roughly two weeks of this date.

What is the process to receive permanent residence through the PGP?

To receive permanent residence (PR) through the Parents and Grandparents program, applicants must make sure they meet all relevant eligibility criteria, complete an interest to sponsor form on IRCC’s website, and not have received an invitation to apply (ITA) in 2021, 2022, or 2023. Once the PGP lottery reopens, sponsors must check the email provided on the interest to sponsor form for an invitation and submit their application through the Permanent Residence Portal or the Representative Residence Portal by the stated deadline.

About the PGP:

The program allows Canadian citizens or permanent residents to sponsor their parents or grandparents for Canadian PR. It is part of IRCC’s family reunification initiatives. Parents and grandparents who arrive in Canada through the program receive PR upon landing in Canada. Sponsors must sign an undertaking, stating that they will provide for their parents and grandparents while in Canada, for 20 years. The PGP invites applicants on a lottery basis and only opens for application intake once a year.

What if you are not selected?

Similar to the PGP, IRCC also runs the Super-Visa pathway, which allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their parents and grandparents to come and visit Canada on an extended visitor visa. Approved applicants under the program can stay in Canada for five years at a time, with the ability to extend this stay for two years. Unlike the PGP, IRCC runs the Super Visa program throughout the year, with sponsors able to apply year-round.

The Parents and Grandparents program is an important part of IRCC’s family reunification initiatives, allowing Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their parents or grandparents for Canadian PR. The upcoming reopening of the program presents a great opportunity for potential sponsors to bring their loved ones to Canada. It’s crucial for interested sponsors to stay updated on the process and ensure they meet all the necessary eligibility criteria.

International Students: Bringing Your Family to Canada

Settling into a new country as an international student can be a challenging yet thrilling adventure. When you have family members, such as a spouse or children, whom you wish to bring along, it is crucial to comprehend the procedures and regulations that underscore their stay in Canada.

Currently, international students who want to study in Canada are allowed to include their primary dependants—spouse and children—in their study permit applications. However, it’s important to note that parents or other secondary dependants are not eligible to accompany them under a study permit.

There are significant advantages and potential hurdles when you decide to include your family in your immigration plans. To facilitate a smooth journey for the dependants of international students, it’s essential to be informed of all the requirements and steps involved.

For those intending to pursue undergraduate or postgraduate studies, resourceful guides are available to kickstart the application process. Nevertheless, having access to the most updated and credible immigration information is critical. Resources such as the official website of the Canadian federal government and professional immigration consultants offer accurate information and guidance.

Who is eligible to apply for an open work permit

If you are taking select graduate programs your spouse may be eligible to apply for an open work permit for up to 3 years depending on the length of your program.

The Special Case of Child Dependents and Education

A particular consideration must be given to child dependants under the age of 18 who plan to attend K-12 schools in Canada. These children are required to obtain their own study permits. Whereas Canadian citizens and permanent residents can access free primary and secondary education, international students’ children are typically able to attend these institutions tuition free if their parent is studying or working legally in Canada.

Proving Study Intent for International Families

Canadian border authorities may exert extra scrutiny on study permit applications that include family members. There is a risk that the officers might suspect your motive for coming to Canada extends beyond just studying, implying a “dual intent” that may include working. An application could be denied on these grounds.

Thus, it’s imperative to effectively demonstrate that pursuing education is your sole purpose for going to Canada. There are strategies and evidence you can present to substantiate your study intent, which include details about your academic plan, finances, and ties to your home country, amongst others.

Bringing dependents to Canada as an international student demands thorough planning, a clear understanding of Canadian immigration policies, and an anticipation of the complexities that may arise from such a decision. While this article serves as a reference, seeking professional advice from a Registered Canadian Immigration Consultant ensures you receive the most current, tailored, and official immigration guidance. Together, we can work through the intricacies of the application process, ensuring you and your family’s transition to Canadian life is as smooth as possible.

In conclusion, while the journey of studying in Canada with family is filled with various steps and considerations, adequate preparation and informed decision-making can result in a successful and rewarding experience for all. It’s important to remain connected to reliable sources and professional advice throughout your application process. Make sure to stay updated on the latest in Canadian immigration to make your academic dreams a reality.

For more information email us at hello@bisonimmigration.com

New Method for Calculating Processing Times for Canadian Immigration

A recent update from Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) reveals a new way of estimating processing times for various high-volume Canadian immigration programs. The department will now use forward-looking processing times to help applicants anticipate the duration of their application process. This includes programs such as the Canadian Experience Class, Provincial Nominees Program, Federal Skilled Workers, Quebec Skilled Workers, citizenship grants, and spouse or common-law partner sponsorships.

The change in calculating processing times comes as a response to recommendations made by the Office of the Auditor General. The new method will be based on the total number of Canadian immigration applications in the queue and the expected processing capacity, considering variables such as admission spaces, seasonal changes, and program types.

For those who have already applied using the previous method, IRCC advises against reapplying, assuring that applications will still be processed in the order they were received, and in most cases, the processing time will not exceed the new forward-looking estimates.

IRCC aims to update service standards by the end of the year, providing reasonable timeframes for making final decisions on applications. The department also provides a breakdown of the current backlog, highlighting the number of applications within service standards and those in backlog for different types of applications.

For example, out of 2,121,200 total applications in inventory, 1,320,000 are within service standards, while the remaining 892,000 are in backlog. This breakdown extends to permanent and temporary residence applications, with a particular note on the backlog of study permit applications due to recent changes in Canada’s international student program.

Conclusion

It’s clear that the new method for calculating processing times is a significant step towards addressing the challenges highlighted by the Office of the Auditor General, and it aims to provide more transparency and predictability for immigration applicants.

If you need assistance with Canadian immigration, feel free to contact us at info@bisonimmigration.com for more information.

Work in Canada: Labour Market Impact Assessment facts

Work in Canada: Labour Market Impact Assessment facts

Parents and Grandparents Program Set to Reopen in May 2024

Parents and Grandparents Program Set to Reopen in May 2024

International Students: Bringing Your Family to Canada

International Students: Bringing Your Family to Canada

New Method for Calculating Processing Times for Canadian Immigration

New Method for Calculating Processing Times for Canadian Immigration

How International Students Can Get Permanent Residence in Canada

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