Here are some of the key changes and news about Canada immigration during 2019:
1. With Goal to Welcome 1,000,000 Immigrants in Next 3 Years, Canada Increases Integration Funding
The Canadian government announced that it wants 1,000,000 new permanent immigrants in the next 3 years and is increasing immigration to310,000 in 2019; 340,000 in 2020; and 350,000 in 2021
2. Free Canada Express Entry Score Calculator
Are you qualified to move to Canada? Our free Express Entry score calculator will help you evaluate if you qualify to move to Canada as a federal skilled worker and become a Permanent Resident.
3. Canada is Launching 2 New Caregiver Immigration Pilot Programs
Canada is launching 2 new foreign caregiver immigration pilot programs so caregivers can come to Canada with their family and provide them a pathway to becoming permanent residents.
4. Canada Commits $10 Million to Help Newcomer Immigrants Find Work
To help highly skilled newcomers find work and enter the job market more quickly, Canada announced a $10 million Call for Concepts under the Foreign Credential Recognition (FCR) Program on March 7, 2019, to help internationally trained skilled newcomers to Canada get their credentials recognized, gain Canadian work experience and find work.
5. New Pilot Program for Visible Minority Women Immigrants
Canada's IRCC launched a pilot project to improve the employment and career advancement of newcomer women who are visible minorities.
6. In-Canada Family Class Spouse Work Permit Pilot Extended
Canada has extended the work permit pilot program for in-Canada family class spouses and common-law partners applying for permanent residence until July 31, 2020.
7. Canada Extends Atlantic Immigration Pilot To 2021
Canada has extended the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program (AIP) until December 2021 to continue to address growing labour shortages in the Atlantic Canadian provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador.
8. How to Enter Canada If You've Been Convicted of Marijuana Use or Related Crimes
If you have a criminal record, you can be banned from entering Canada and deemed criminally inadmissible for life.
9. Announcing Our New Podcast: Ask Canada Immigration Lawyer Evelyn Ackah
On our new podcast, Ask Canada Immigration Lawyer Evelyn Ackah, every month I answer your questions about moving to Canada and the U.S.
10. New Family Reunification Rules Protect Immigrants
IRCC announced a new 2-year pilot to allow immigrants who did not initially declare lost family members to sponsor them at a later date.
11. Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot 11 Communities Announced
IRCC's new Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot, a 5-year program designed to help small rural and remote communities attract foreign workers and provide them with a path to permanent residence.
12. New In-Home Caregiver Programs Open For Applications
IRCC is providing more pathways to permanent residence and has launched 2 new pilot programs for in-home caregivers from outside of Canada, replacing caregiver pilot programs that expired on June 18, 2019.
13. Language Training to Help Newcomers to French-Speaking Canada
Canada is a bilingual country, with English and French as the two official languages. The Francophone Integration Pathway provides language training that helps French-speaking newcomers integrate into Francophone communities.
14. Vancouver Top Choice to Move to Canada from Hong Kong
The high cost of living combined with increasing political tensions and a government crackdown on protesters are making many Hong Kong residents consider moving to Canada.
15. Canada's New Agri-Food Immigration Pilot for Permanent Residence
IRCC has announced a new economic immigration program to help local community's agri-food labour needs that will provide an additional 2,700 permanent residency opportunities for temporary foreign workers.
16. Canada Updates Tech Jobs Eligible Under Global Talent Stream
Canada has updated the list of technology occupations that are eligible under the Global Talent Stream, effective August 5, 2019.
17. Canada Launches Newcomer Integration and Resettlement Services
Canada's IRCC has selected 824 projects to provide newcomer integration services to immigrants across the country for up to 5 years.
18. Quebec Launches Personalized Immigration Support
Quebec’s Minister of Immigration, Diversity, and Inclusion (MIDI), Simon Jolin-Barrette, announced a new personalized immigration support program for newcomers to Quebec, Parcours d’accompagnement personnalisé.
19. Canada and U.S. Border Agents Share Traveller Data
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) have begun to exchange biographic traveller data, travel documents, and other information related to border crossings of U.S. and Canadian citizens as Phase III of the "Beyond the Border" security agreement.
20. Canada Recognizes Expired Venezuelan Passports for Immigration Applications
The Canadian government announced on August 19 that Immigration and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and border agents recognize the 5-year extension to expired Venezuelan passports published by the Venezuelan National Assembly on June 7, 2019.
21. Canadians With L-1 Visa No Longer Can Renew at Border
The United States Customs and Border Protection are telling the Canadian workers they need to file L-1 renewal applications with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, instead of at the border points of entry and international airports as they have for over 20 years.
22. Cannabis Pardon Does Not Guarantee You Can Enter the U.S.
Public Safety Canada confirms a cannabis pardon still impacts a Canadian's ability to enter the United States.
23. 3 Canadian Cities in World's Top 10 Most Livable Cities
Calgary was named the most livable city in North America - Calgary ranked in 5th place, the highest of any Canadian cities, with Vancouver ranked 6th and Toronto tied at 7th with Tokyo.
24. Ackah Law Named to 2019 Law Firm 500
Ackah Business Immigration Law is excited and honoured to be ranked number 97 in the 2019 Law Firm 500 Awards.
25. Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) Introduces Processing Fees
AINP application processing fees - currently $0 - will be $500 per application in Fiscal Year 20-21 and other services currently free AINP services including a letter of support/reconsideration, nomination extension, application withdrawals, etc. will be $100 in FY 20-21.
26. Meet Michael Nerbas Our New Associate Immigration Lawyer
We're pleased to announce that Michael Nerbas has joined the Ackah Law team as an Associate focusing on immigration and refugee law.
We will see what additional immigration changes will be unveiled in 2020 – stay tuned!
