H-1B Filings for October 1, 2012: Already Time to Prepare!
April 2nd, 2012If you are seeking to employ a foreign national on an H-1B visa for fiscal year FY 2013 (starting October 1, 2012), you should initiate the process immediately so as to be able to file the H-1B application with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) by April 1, 2012 for an October 1, 2012 employment start date.
MoreForeign workers program
March 12th, 2012The program specifically developed for certain foreign workers employed in the field of information technology has ended on February 23 2012, which entails that such foreign workers occupying one of the 7 concerned professions will no longer be able to benefit from an exemption of the Labour Market Opinion.
MoreMondissimo International Mobility Conference
February 7th, 2012This conference will be held on March 13 and 14, 2012 at the Palais Brongniart in Paris, France. BCF lawyers Julie Lessard, Christina Karadimos and Elsa Agostinho will be there to represent BCF.
MoreCase Study on Labour Mobility
October 3rd, 2011BCF partner and lawyer Julie Lessard is the author of an article that appears in the latest edition of Perspective magazine, published by the Canadian Employee Relocation Council. For more information please consult the article.
MoreManaging the Immigration Risks Involved with International Mobility
September 26th, 2011BCF partner and lawyer Julie Lessard will deliver a presentation to the members of CERC, together with Elizabeth Latorre of Deloitte. This presentation will take place at Rio Tinto’s Montreal offices on October 25. For more information, please consult the CERC website.
MoreAmerican Immigration: I-9 Inspections result in fines for 14 New England Companies
August 29th, 2011The battle against illegal immigration in the U.S. is intensifying. ICE press release announced that 14 New England companies have been fined in FY2011 after I-9 inspections uncovered various violations that enabled the companies to hire undocumented workers.
MoreCanadian Immigration: 10-year travel visa announced
August 29th, 2011In a speech to the Economic Club of Canada in Toronto, Minister Kenney announced that Canada is creating a new visa for frequent visitors, valid for 10 years with limitless entrances to the country.
MoreCanadian Immigration: Citizenship & Immigration Canada crackdown on Citizenship Fraud
August 29th, 2011CIC measures target about 1,830 people whom, Minister Jason Kenney alleges, have no legal right to carry a Canadian passport. Suspected war criminals are being hunted by police who are receiving tips from people viewing profiles and photos of the 30 men on a newly created website. Until this summer, government officials refused to identify suspected war criminals thought to be in Canada. And since 1867, only 66 people have had their Canadian citizenship revoked.
MoreCanadian Immigration: The Barreau du Québec wins case against immigration consultant for illegally acting as an attorney
August 29th, 2011Immigration Consultant, Abraham Garza, allowed clients to address him as "Maître". This term is reserved for members of the Barreau du Quebec and Chambre des notaires of Quebec. He also drafted juridical documents for clients who then filed their own applications in Federal Court.
MoreInternational Immigration: Royal Decree issued June 30, 2011 creates stricter requirements for Spanish employers
August 29th, 2011A royal decree brings more strict requirements for employers of intracompany transferees and new restrictions on work permits for foreign nationals directly hired by employers in Spain. Changes also introduce expanded eligibility for expedited immigration processing and a new immigration category for researchers and highly skilled workers. Fines and other sanctions for noncompliance with Spanish immigration law were also increased.
MoreJulie Lessard, partner at BCF, speaker at the Canadian Employment Relocation Council
August 29th, 2011Julie Lessard's conference titled "Business Travelers Beware: The Pitfalls of Extended Business Travel" will cover the mobility of workers. The conference will take place during the annual congress of the Canadian Employment Relocation Council on September 25 to 27 in Calgary.
MoreAmerican Immigration: Infosys Technologies of India under Investigation over U.S. Visas
August 29th, 2011Indian outsourcing company facing federal investigation prompted by claims stemming from U.S. manager alleging that Infosys sent employees on B1 visas to the U.S. for specific full-time jobs at client sites but instead of paying them U.S. salaries, it would pay them much lower Indian salaries, calling it a stipend.
MoreJulie Lessard on TV5 Monde
February 10th, 2011This January, Julie Lessard joined the French television show "24H Chrono de l'International" on TV5 Monde as a business immigration expert. The program, which reaches an audience of over one million viewers, discussed economic issues and the steps requires for French businesses that wish to set up shop in Ottawa. You can see the video here.
MoreJulie Lessard Named a Lexpert® Rising Star as one of Canada's Leading Lawyers Under 40
November 26th, 2010We are pleased to announce that BCF partner Julie Lessard has been named a Lexpert® Rising Star as one of Canada's Leading Lawyers Under 40. Every year, Lexpert, a trade publication, honours 40 lawyers under 40 years of age who have set themselves apart through their legal practice and their community involvement (www.lexpert.ca/risingstars). This year's winners were announced on November 25 at a gala event in Toronto. Read the press release.
Communique Julie Lessard Rising Stars.pdf
MoreWhy Immigration Should be Part of the Due Diligence Process
October 7th, 2010As the economy improves and we experience an up-tick in business deals, it is more important than ever to remember to include immigration on due diligence checklists. Your business' competitiveness is highly dependent upon your staffing decisions and due diligence in immigration law is necessary to ensure existing staff is not jeopardized by a merger, acquisition, or other reorganization.
MoreJulie Lessard, a partner at BCF, will be a speaker for the Canadian Employment Relocation Council
September 20th, 2010Julie Lessard’s conference entitled "trailing Spouses- Family Issues" will cover the impact of expatriation on families. The conference will take place during the annual congress of the Canadian Employment Relocation Council on September 21st at the Sheraton Center.
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