Calls to expand the residency program to all asylum-seeking essential workers are falling on deaf ears from Quebec’s immigration minister. In August, the government unveiled a new residency program for asylum-seeking frontline healthcare workers who provide direct care to patients. The program would likely apply to approximately 1000 asylum seekers across the country but leaves…
On Oct. 29 Immigration Quebec released their immigration targets for 2021. The new targets include a modest increase in the total number of applications they will accept. Immigration Quebec’s targets for 2021 Under the proposed plan, Immigration Quebec will accept 44,500 to 47,500 admissions in 2021. This a small increase from 2020, where the government’s…
The government of Canada has implemented special immigration measures for Lebanese nationals in response to the tragic explosions in Beruit. The August 4 explosions in Beruit resulted in hundreds of fatalities, injured thousands and left hundreds of thousands homeless and has created a humanitarian crisis. Canada’s response to the crisis in Lebanon has been to…
600 Express Entry candidates who have received provincial nominations have been invited to apply for Canadian permanent residence in the 160th Express Entry draw on August 19th, 2020. 43 more invitations were issued in this draw than the last PNP-specific draw. The minimum CRS cut-off score for this draw was 771. Only candidates who have…
A new, one-time program of immigration will grant permanent residence to asylum seekers in Canada who are working on the frontlines of the healthcare industry. The decision could affect about 1,000 claimants across Canada but excludes many asylum seekers working in jobs deemed to be essential, but not in the healthcare industry. The federal government…
As countries around the world reel from the Covid-19 pandemic and the associated financial meltdowns, the next one million immigrants that Canada accepts might be the most important cohort ever. The next one million immigrants will reignite the Canadian economy, solidify our reputation as a nation that welcomes newcomers, and lay the foundation for future…
The government has again extended the Canadian travel restrictions for all non-essential visitors until at least Aug 31. It is unclear if this will be the final extension of the Canadian travel restrictions that were initially enacted in March to help flatten the Covid-19 infection curve. Canadian travel restrictions: who can enter the country The…
Despite all the accommodations IRCC is making due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, virtual marriages are still not accepted for Canadian immigration. So if your plan to bring your spouse to Canada includes a virtual marriage over FaceTime or Zoom, you might want to reconsider your online nuptial plans. Why Canada does not recognize virtual…
A Canadian federal court decision on Wednesday brings into question whether Canada can send asylum seekers back to the U.S. The decision states that sending asylum seekers back to the U.S. is a violation of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The federal court decision affirms what activists on both sides of the border…
New eligibility criteria for the popular Quebec Experience Class or programme de l’expérience québécoise (PEQ) came into effect on July 22, 2020. The heavily criticized new regulations require candidates to have more work experience to be eligible to apply. The PEQ program Similar to the Canadian Experience Class program, PEQ is a popular pathway for…
Adam Pinsky
Anya Leibovitch