New Business Immigration Measures: What Your Workers Need to Know

Border to Reopen on August 9

The Government of Canada has announced its plan to reopen the Canada-U.S. border to fully vaccinated U.S. citizens and permanent residents as of August 9 for non-essential travel, including tourism.

As of August 9, international flights will land at nine Canadian airports rather than just the four currently approved, adding Quebec City, Halifax, Ottawa, Winnipeg and Edmonton to the list.

Also, as of August 9, hotel quarantine will no longer be mandatory for not fully vaccinated travellers. Instead, travellers will be able to go to a quarantine site of their choice to isolate themselves. However, testing on day one and day eight of the quarantine remains mandatory.

Transport Canada is maintaining the current restriction on direct flights from India until August 21.

The Government of Canada plans to open the borders to all fully vaccinated travellers as of September 7 if the epidemiological situation remains favorable. Finally, to enter Canada, fully vaccinated travellers will be required to provide official proof of vaccination before crossing the border.

Canada’s Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP): Record Number of Applications Expected

A record number of people will be invited to apply for the 2021 program, with up to 30,000 additional applications expected, allowing more Canadians and permanent residents to bring their loved ones to Canada.

Temporary Resident to Permanent Resident Pathway

Since July 26, permanent residence applicants are eligible for a new open work permit while awaiting the results of their application.

The pathway to permanent residence is now expanded to include foreign graduates of a Canadian institution, persons in designated essential occupations as of May 6, 2021, and health care workers.

Permanent Residence in the Province of Quebec: Change in Selection Criteria

The Ministère de l'Immigration, de la Francisation et de l'Intégration will be issuing invitations based on a ranking of applicants registered in the expression of interest database. This is the first time that people interested in immigrating to Quebec and have expressed their interests will be invited on a ranking basis.

Canadian Customs Officers: Potential Strike Action at the Border Expected as Early as August 6

Canadian customs officials threatened to strike starting August 6, which could hinder the reopening of the border to U.S. tourists scheduled for August 9. Accordingly, the 9,000 workers of the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) have expressed their intention to strike. A strike would significantly slow the arrival of people and goods at the border and mail delivery.

Ottawa Is Implementing Special Immigration Measures for Afghans

A special repatriation program will be put in place with Canada's allies so that Afghan translators and their families can be quickly evacuated from Afghanistan.

"These people have served as translators for our soldiers on the battlefield and, in many cases, have saved their lives. Often at great personal risk, they have made sacrifices to help Canada," said the Immigration Minister. As a result, these thousands of people will be welcomed into Canada with special refugee status.

U.S. Business Visa and the Option to Enter the Country

The U.S. government has announced that existing National Interest Exceptions ("NIEs") will be valid for 12 months from the date of their approval for multiple entries.

This change will apply to travelers from the United Kingdom, Schengen countries, Ireland, India, China, Iran and South Africa. The 12-month, multiple-entry visa validity applies retroactively to all existing national interest exceptions approved within the last year.

Travellers with an approved national interest exception may travel to the U.S. using their current " NIE" if it has been approved within the last 12 months and if the purpose of the travel is the same as the purpose for which it was initially granted.

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Our mission is to help you understand the implications that such changes may have in your current operations and your global mobility planning.