Every month, our Business Immigration and Mobility team keeps a watchful eye on important news that may impact your foreign workers. Check out the latest business immigration updates.
Canadian Business
Immigration
Canada Announces New Immigration Pathway for Skilled Refugees and Other Displaced People
The new federal pathway will give employers more opportunities to fill in-demand jobs, including nurse aides, personal support workers, long-term care aides, software engineers, web designers, mechanical and electrical engineers and technicians, teachers, tourism and hospitality workers, and truck and delivery service drivers.
Canada Will Extend the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET)
- Ukrainians and their family members will have until July 15, 2023, to apply overseas for a CUAET visa free of charge;
- Anyone holding a CUAET visa will have until March 31, 2024, to travel to Canada under the special measures; and
- CUAET holders who are already here in Canada will have until March 31, 2024, to extend or adjust their temporary status through these measures, free of charge.
Post-Graduation Work Permit Holders may Extend Status for up to Another 18 Months
International graduates with a recently expired or expiring post-graduation work permit (PGWP) will qualify for an additional or extended work permit to stay longer and gain additional work experience for up to 18 months.
Ontario Doubling PNP Immigration
The Ontario government is doubling the number of economic immigrants it selects in 2025 to over 18,000 to help solve the province’s critical labour shortage.
Alberta PNP Expects to Soon Welcome Over 10K New Immigrants per Year
Alberta’s PNP allocation has been increased substantially from last year. In 2023, Alberta will be able to issue 9,750 nominations, up from 6,500 in 2022. Alberta expects to be able to issue 10,140 nominations in 2024 and 10,849 nominations in 2025.
Ontario Colleges Move to Protect International Students, Before and After they Come to Canada
“In the face of growing concerns about the treatment of international students in this country, publicly funded colleges in Ontario are bringing in a new set of rules meant to protect those coming from abroad to study.”
The Montreal Advantage
"One of Montreal's key advantages: a globally diverse talent pool emerging from highly ranked local universities and foreign talent. Welcoming immigration policies are successful in attracting foreign investment and growing the local economy."
Canadian Government Issues Travel Advisory for Thirteen Mexican States
“Canadians heading to Mexico for the upcoming spring break can expect continued warnings from their government to “exercise a high degree of caution” in the southern vacation hotspot because of “high levels of criminal activity and kidnapping.”
Joint Statement by President Biden and Prime Minister Trudeau
The 8 statements from Canada and the United States for effective collaboration.
After Years of Stalled Talks, Canada and U.S. Reach Border Deal on Irregular Migrants
The Trudeau government has reached a long-discussed deal with the United States on irregular migration which will allow Ottawa to close the Roxham Road irregular crossing at the Canada-U.S. border.
CBSA to Reopen all NEXUS Airport Enrolment Centers
“The CBSA and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) are delivering on their commitment to reopen all NEXUS enrolment centres in Canadian airports by Spring 2023.”
Starting today, travellers can book an interview at select airports, including Trudeau and Pearson.
Government Extends Temporary Measures Under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program
“The continued measures, intended to provide greater stability for employers and workers, include:
- Permitting employers in seven sectors with demonstrated labour shortages (such as accommodation and food services, construction, and food manufacturing) to hire up to 30 percent of their workforce through the TFWP for low-wage positions;
- Keeping the Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIA) validity period at up to 18 months; and,
- Maintaining the maximum duration of employment for low-wage positions at up to two years.”
American Business
Immigration
New policy guidance for O-1B
The O-1B visa classification applies to nonimmigrants who possess extraordinary ability in the arts or those who have achieved extraordinary accomplishments in the film or television industry.
On March 3, 2023, USCIS issued new policy guidance to clarify how USCIS officers evaluate evidence to determine O-1B eligibility.
In particular, the new policy adds a table to describe examples of evidence that may meet the criteria to qualify under the O-1B category, and considerations that are relevant to evaluating such evidence are also included. Guidance regarding the use of comparable or alternative evidence is also inserted and the principle that a criterion need not be totally inapplicable to the recipient's profession to use comparable evidence is also reiterated.
When Cooperation Crosses the Line
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce draws conclusions regarding the Federal Trade Commission's active communication with foreign jurisdictions to block mergers. The Chamber calls for immediate congressional oversight.
USCIS Announces End of COVID-Related Flexibilities
The additional time allowed since March 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic will end on March 23, 2023. Be careful, you must now respond to any USCIS notices or requests dated after March 23 by the stated deadline.
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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.
