Executive Summaries Sep 30, 2021

New Business Immigration Measures: What Your Foreign Workers Need to Know

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Every month, our Immigration and Business Mobility Team monitors major news that may impact your foreign workers. Check out these September 2021 business immigration updates.

International Mobility Program for Essential Workers in Television and Movie Production

Essential workers in a production crew (filming) of a live-action movie or television project being filmed in whole or in part in Canada may qualify for a work permit that is exempt from the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). The International Mobility Program will consider these strategic points:

Supports public investment in existing projects;
Protects Canada's economic interests in attracting high value television and movie projects to Canada;
Creates ancillary benefits for local communities or economies.

This temporary exemption also applies to graphic designers working on live-action television or movie productions in Canada.

70% of Canadian Companies Struggling to Find Skilled Workers are Recruiting Internationally

The pandemic has caused many Canadian companies to upgrade and transition their business model to digital to survive, but according to a survey carried out by KPMG in Canada, most companies are having a tough time finding workers with the skills they need to compete. Nearly 52% of the surveyed companies are not sure they will find people with the skills they need and are considering recruiting outside of Canada.

End of Restriction on Direct Flights from India

After a 5-month hiatus, direct flights from India have been resumed since September 26, 2021.

Travel Bans to be Lifted in November for Fully Vaccinated International Travelers

While the U.S. is extending its land border closure until October 21, starting in November, most properly vaccinated foreign travellers may fly into the country.

As of early November, fully vaccinated travellers from China, Iran, Brazil, South Africa, the Schengen Area, the United Kingdom, Ireland and India will again be allowed to travel to the United States.