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IMPACT – MEDIUM
The Canadian government has modified its education requirements for Express Entry candidates.
Key Points:
BAL Analysis: The modified education requirements allow foreign nationals, especially those who earned a Canadian degree, diploma or certificate outside of Canada, to receive more educational credential points for Express Entry.
This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.
Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.
The Canadian government has implemented new measures for foreign nationals with expired or expiring post-graduation work permits and applicants for temporary resident to permanent resident (TR to PR) pathways.
Additional Information: Most foreign nationals with expired or expired post-graduation work permits and TR to PR applicants will need to apply online to extend their work permit. However, in some instances, other actions will need to be taken to receive the extended work permit. More information regarding how the new work measures will affect individual applicants is available here.
BAL Analysis: The Canadian government announced the new work measures with intent to address labor shortages and help temporary residents and post-graduate work permit holders retain their right to work in Canada.
The Canadian government has announced five additional locations for Canadian nationals to pick up their new passports.
Additional Information: Those applying for new or renewal passports are reminded of the current processing delays due to an “unprecedented volume of applications and the obligation to impose in-person capacity limits” at processing centers.
BAL Analysis: Canadian authorities are aiming to reduce backlogs by opening the additional passport offices and make it easier for Canadian nationals to pick up their passports at an office closer to their homes. Canadian nationals in need of a new passport should renew their passport as soon as possible to avoid delays and complications.
This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.
The Canadian government has resumed random, on-arrival COVID-19 testing for fully vaccinated air travelers.
Additional Information: Travelers continue to be required to use ArriveCAN within 72 hours before arrival. More information regarding Canada’s border measures and entry requirements is available here. Individuals can check if they qualify as fully vaccinated in Canada here.
BAL Analysis: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) completed an “all program” Express Entry draw this week for the first time since 2020.
Background: The Express Entry systems prioritizes candidates in in the Federal Skilled Worker, Federal Skilled Trades, Canadian Experience Class and Provincial Nominee programs based on a CRS score that considers factors such as current job offer, education, skills, work experience and age, among others.
For much of the COVID-19 pandemic, IRCC relied on program-specific draws to target individuals who were more likely to be in Canada already. This led to an increased number of foreign nationals with high-ranking CRS scores in the Express Entry pool, which helps explain the high cutoff score of 557 in this week’s draw.
BAL Analysis: The resumption of “all program” Express Entry draws marks a significant step toward more foreign nationals being able to apply for permanent residency; however, the Canadian government has yet to announce if and when it will conduct more draws. BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.
The Canadian government has eased its on-arrival COVID-19 testing requirements for air travelers.
Additional Information: Travelers must download and use ArriveCAN within 72 hours before arrival. More information regarding Canada’s border measures and entry requirements is available here. Individuals can check if they qualify as fully vaccinated in Canada here.
BAL Analysis: The Canadian government has eased its COVID-19 testing requirements to reduce wait times at Canadian airports and border crossings. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.
Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.
The Canadian government has announced that it will enhance its super visa program to help parents and grandparents stay with their families for longer periods of time.
Additional Information: The super visa is a multiple entry visa and holds validity for up to ten years. More information regarding eligibility requirements and application instructions for the super visa is available here.
BAL Analysis: The upcoming super visa enhancements will allow parents and grandparents to stay with their families for a longer duration for each time they enter Canada.
The Canadian government has implemented new measures to reduce processing delays for new and renewal passport applications.
Additional Information: Those applying for new or renewal passports should expect processing delays due to an “unprecedented volume of applications and the obligation to impose in-person capacity limits” at processing centers.
BAL Analysis: Service Canada is seeing an increase of passport applications due to the lifting of COVID-19 travel restrictions around the world. Canadian citizens intending to travel abroad and in need of a new passport should renew their passport as soon as possible to avoid delays and complications.
The Canadian government has increased the proof of funds required for Express Entry.
Additional Information: Foreign nationals entering Canada through the Federal Skilled Worker program are generally required to show proof of funds to prove that they can maintain a standard of living while in Canada. Proof of funds is not required if the foreign national is authorized to work in Canada and has a valid job offer. If an individual is invited to apply and does not meet the exception to the proof of funds requirement, they must give written proof that they have this money. More information regarding what types of proof are accepted is available here.
BAL Analysis: While the increases to the proof of funds requirements are small, the change could affect foreign nationals’ eligibility for the Federal Skilled Worker program. Such individuals are encouraged to check the new numbers and update their profiles as needed.
The Canadian government has announced additional immigration services for Ukrainian nationals in Poland and Germany.
Additional Information: The Canadian government continues to provide overseas services to Ukrainian nationals, including at its recently opened temporary Visa Application Center (VAC) opened in Warsaw, Poland. More information regarding the additional overseas services for Ukrainian nationals is available here.
BAL Analysis: Canada has expanded its overseas immigration services for Ukrainian nationals to help those who have been displaced due to Russia’s invasion. Employers and employees are reminded that actions taken as a result of the invasion of Ukraine may change with little or no notice.