Implementation delayed for plan to limit southern Ontario port-of-entry applications

IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) said Thursday that it will delay a plan to restrict the acceptance of applications for permanent residence landings and new work permits at ports of entry in southern Ontario.

What does the change mean? Ports of entry in southern Ontario – including Fort Erie, Niagara Falls, Queenstown and Rainbow Bridge – will continue to accept port-of-entry applications as normal until further notice. A plan to restrict schedules for accepting port-of-entry applications was announced Tuesday and was expected to take effect this week, but was subsequently delayed.

• Implementation time frame: Immediate and ongoing.
• Visas/permits affected: Permanent residence landings, new work permit applications.
• Who is affected: Foreign nationals seeking to complete a permanent residence landing or work permit application at one of the four border points.
• Next steps: CBSA said it will provide additional information on the plan as soon as it is available.

BAL Analysis: For the time being, port-of-entry applications will be accepted at southern Ontario ports of entry seven days a week. BAL will continue to follow this issue and will provide clients with information about any possible restrictions once CBSA makes it available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group and our network provider located in Canada. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.

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