Panama: New Consular Visa Exemption Eliminates Exemption for EU and Schengen Visa Holders

A new decree replaces the current Consular Visa exemption with a new one only for those holding a valid Australian, Canadian, UK or U.S. multiple-entry visa valid for at least one year from the date of entry and used at least once, for stays up to 30 days initially, renewable twice for 30 days each stay through an in-country process. The previous exemption, allowing EU or Schengen country visa holders to qualify for the exemption as well, has been eliminated.

Canada: Temporary Foreign Worker Program changes announced

The Temporary Foreign Worker Program has undergone several changes aimed at increasing access to the program, according to an announcement by the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship and the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour.

Notable changes include the following:

  • Elimination of the four-year cumulative duration rule, effective immediately. This rule limited work for some workers in Canada to four years, specifically...

Canada: Streamlined process forthcoming for spousal visa applications

On or after December 15, 2016, most spousal visa applications submitted in and outside Canada will be processed within 12 months, instead of the current average of 24 months, according to the Minister for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Additional streamlining of the application process will include the following changes:

  • One application kit (applicants will no longer have to choose between two kits depending on whether they live in or outside Canada);

Canada: Mexican citizens can now apply for electronic travel authorization

When their visa requirement is lifted on December 1, 2016, Mexican citizens flying to or transiting through Canada will require an electronic travel authorisation (eTA).

Mexican citizens can apply now apply through a paper application at any Canadian visa application centre abroad until December 1. After December 1, they will be able to apply for an eTA online. Until December 1, 2016, Mexican citizens still need a temporary resident visa to travel to Canada.

Mexican citizens will not need an eTA if they are entering Canada by land or sea.

Canada: New Express Entry scoring system

New Express Entry Scoring System Means Faster Selection for Labour Market Impact Assessment-Exempt Work Permit Holders.

On or after November 19, 2016, permanent residence candidates applying through the Express Entry program will be subject to a new scoring system, according to new ministerial instructions issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

The most notable changes and their results include the following:

Canada: Reminder: Electronic Travel Authorization required on or after November 10

Following the extension of the deadline to apply for Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), as a reminder, on or after November 10, 2016, visa-exempt nationals who enter or exit and re-enter Canada by air must apply for an eTA prior to boarding a flight to Canada.

Exceptions include U.S. citizens and travellers with a valid Canadian visa and those entering Canada by car. Canadian citizens, including dual citizens, and Canadian permanent residents, cannot apply for an eTA and will need a valid Canadian passport to board their flight to Canada.

Canada: Faster work permit and visa processing and new short-term work permit program proposed

To attract foreign investment and talent, the Canadian government plans to launch a Global Skills Strategy that will reduce visa and work permit processing times to two weeks. Additionally, the government plans to introduce a short-term work permit exemption for intracompany transferees, international exchange students and experts. Specific information regarding the implementation of the programs is not yet available

Canada: Electronic Travel Authorization deadline relaxed

To allow more time to prepare for changes when flying to or transiting through Canada, the government has extended the deadline to apply for Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA).

On or after November 10, 2016, visa-exempt nationals who enter or exit and re-enter Canada by air must apply for an eTA prior to boarding a flight to Canada. The previous deadline was September 30, 2016

Canada: More invitations issued in latest Express Entry draw

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted its 42nd Express Entry draw.

IRCC issued 1,000 invitations to those who submitted an Expression of Interest to apply for permanent residence. This is a significant increase from the 750 invitations issued in the last draw.

The minimum qualifying score for this draw was 491. This score is in line with scores in recent months.

Canada: Visa-exempt nationals to require Electronic Travel Authorization

On or after September 30, 2016, visa-exempt nationals who plan to enter or exit and re-enter Canada by air must apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) prior to boarding a flight to Canada.

Exceptions include U.S. citizens and travellers with a valid Canadian Temporary Resident Visa. Canadian citizens, including dual citizens, and Canadian permanent residents cannot apply for an eTA.

Canada: Latest Express Entry draw remains low with higher qualifying score

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is conducting its 41st Express Entry draw today.

IRCC will issue 750 invitations to those who have submitted an Expression of Interest to apply for permanent residence.

The minimum qualifying score for this draw is 538, a substantial increase from the last draw’s qualifying score of 490.

Eurpoean Union: Visa waiver policy for U.S. and Canadian citizens sustained

The European Commission has decided not to suspend the visa waiver policy for U.S. and Canadian citizens, according to a communication released yesterday.

Canada: Vancouver Mayor's proposal could affect Domestic Secondments and Global Assignments

Vancouver's mayor has announced that the city is looking at imposing a tax on vacant homes.

Depending on how the proposed law is written this could increase the cost of domestic secondments and global assignments. However, we first have to remind ourselves of Canadian Revenue Agency (CRA) guidelines for such assignments.

Canada: Latest express entry draw remains low

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is conducting its 37th Express Entry draw through tomorrow.

Canada: Mexican business visitors and tourists to be eligible for visa-free travel in December

On or after December 1, 2016, Mexican nationals will be able to travel to Canada without a visa for business and tourism, likely for up to 90 days, as per an announcement made by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. This agreement is subject to the level of Mexican asylum seekers in Canada remaining at a steady level.

International mobility program – Temporary foreign workers employer compliance in Canada

When a company hires a LMIA Exempt Temporary Foreign Worker through the International Mobility Program (IMP) and pays that Employer Compliance Fee, does it actually contribute to anything?

Canada: Rental vacancy rates at critically low levels in Greater Vancouver and Toronto areas

Just recently Vancouver's rental vacancy rate was measured at being the lowest in the world at 0.6%. CMHC has not released its figures, so Toronto's rate is not currently known (last year's published rate was 1.6%), but it is expected to be low, although not as low as that of Vancouver.

Canada: Latest express entry draw remains low

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is conducting its 36th Express Entry draw through tomorrow.

Canada: Quebec Skilled Worker Program intake period to open June 13

The intake period for Quebec’s Skilled Worker Program will open on, 13 June 2016 at 8:30am EST. The first 5,000 candidates with an online Mon projet Québec account – an online account that is required for application submission – will be able to submit an application for a Certificate of Selection under the program.

Canada: Potential express entry reforms and expedited work permit processing option announced

At an event hosted by the Toronto Board of Trade and the Pearson Centre for Progressive Policy on May 24, 2016 to address Canada’s immigration policies and regulations from an economic standpoint, the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Hon. John McCallum, announced potential immigration policy changes. A House of Commons committee is reviewing the existing temporary and permanent worker programs and the government plans to use the Committee’s recommendations to create policies that increase the number of economic immigrants and ensure national competitiveness.