Executive summary
Feb 28, 2022
0 min to read
New Business Immigration Measures: What Your Foreign Workers Need to Know
Every month, our Immigration and Business Mobility Team monitors major news that may impact your foreign workers. Consult the February 2022 business immigration updates
End of PCR Testing and Other Travel Measures
As of February 28, 2022, Canada will ease certain travel requirements for international travellers entering the country. One of the most significant changes will be the easing of testing requirements. While pre-entry COVID-19 testing will still be required, travellers will have the option to provide a rapid antigen test result or a molecular test result (PCR test).
List of Occupations Eligible for Simplified Processing
Effective February 24, 2022, the updated list of occupations eligible for simplified processing is now available to employers. All occupations and job titles on this list are considered high wage skilled positions.
A 30-day transition period, from February 24 to March 24, 2022 inclusive, is provided for employers or their representatives to comply with the simplified process if the job you are offering is one of the occupations or job titles on this list.
Higher Immigration Levels in Canada Between 2022 and 2024
Immigration Minister Sean Fraser announced that between 2022 and 2024, Canada plans to welcome more than 1.3 million new permanent residents, the highest number of immigrants in its history. In 2021, Canada welcomed a record 401,000 permanent residents.
Family Class: Introducing a Case Tracking Tool
In its efforts to overcome labour shortages, the Government of Canada has launched a new digital case status tracking tool for permanent residence applicants in the family class that will make it easier for sponsors and representatives to keep track of the status of an application online.
Shergill v. Mayrokas: Work Authorization for E and L Spouses
In November 2021, as a result of litigation (Shergill v. Mayrokas), the Department of Homeland Security ("DHS") had reached a settlement agreement with the parties. As part of this agreement, DHS has agreed to allow spouses of L-1 and E-1/E-2 visa holders to work when they enter the U.S. under their dependent status without applying for an additional work permit (also known as "incident to status").
These changes are effective January 31, 2022.
Senate Innovation Bill: Visas for Entrepreneurs and Ph.D.s Immigrants
The U.S. House of Representatives has added visas for people who will produce innovations - a visa for entrepreneurs and immigrant PhDs in so-called "STEM" (science, technology, engineering and math) fields. If the bill passes, the impact could be significant.
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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.
