Waterloo immigration consultant

1. Current Immigration Policies & Visa Strategies 1 King St W Suite 4800-42, Toronto, ON M5H 1A1(647) 776-5202https://crighimmigration.ca/

2. Overview • Policy Updates • Temporary & Permanent Visas for Professionals • Immigration Planning Tips • Q & A

3. Immigration Policy Updates • The maximum intake cap for international students has been set at 360,000 for 2024

4. Immigration Policy Updates • Canada has announced its Immigration Levels Plan 2024-2026, maintaining targets of 485,000 new immigrants in 2024 and 500,000 in both 2025 and 2026.

5. Immigration Policy Updates • The breakdown of immigration targets for 2024 includes approximately 281,135 immigrants under the economic class (58%), 114,000 in the family class (24%), and 89,865 for humanitarian admissions (19%).

6. Immigration Policy Updates • Public Charge Rule – removed

7. Immigration Policy Updates • This includes a reduction in study permits for international students by 35% this year and an additional 10% next year.

8. Immigration Policy Updates • Additionally, Canada has ended a temporary public policy that allowed visitors to apply for work permits from within the country.

9. Immigration Policy Updates • By 2026, the economic class target will rise to 301,250

10. General • All non-U.S. citizens and non-permanent residents require a visa to enter the Canada. • Employer may sponsor an employee for nonimmigrant visa to authorize work • Temporary work visas, are indeed valid for a temporary period. • Employer may sponsor an employee for permanent residence (“green card”)

11. Why Hire International Staff? • International life and work experience • Multi-lingual communication skills • Understanding of global cultures, markets, and business practices • Ability to work internationally • Fresh perspectives and new problem-solving skills • Diversity in the workplace

12. Temporary Work Permits • Employer-Specific Work Permit • Open Work Permit

13. Employer-Specific Work Permit • This permit allows individuals to work for a specific employer under defined conditions, including job title, location, and duration. • Employers must obtain a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to demonstrate the need for a foreign worker and that no Canadian workers are available for the job

14. Open Work Permit: • This type permits individuals to work for any employer in Canada, with some exceptions (e.g., employers listed as ineligible). • Open work permits are typically issued under specific circumstances, such as for spouses of skilled workers or international students

15. Employer-Specific Work Permit • Employer’s responsibilities: • Employers must obtain a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to demonstrate the need for a foreign worker and that no Canadian workers are available for the job

16. Trade NAFTA visa • Citizenship:Applicants must be citizens of Canada or Mexico. Permanent residents of these countries are not eligible. • Qualifying Profession:The applicant's profession must be one of the designated NAFTA professions. There are over 60 eligible occupations, including:Accountant • Engineer • Lawyer • Pharmacist • Scientist • Teacher

17. Trade NAFTA visa • A complete list of qualifying professions can be found in the NAFTA agreement documentation. • Job Offer: Applicants must have a pre-arranged job offer from a Canadian employer. The job must be in a professional capacity that aligns with the applicant's qualifications. • Qualifications: Applicants must demonstrate that they possess the necessary qualifications to practice in their profession. This typically includes proof of education (degrees, diplomas) and any required licenses or certifications.

18. Immigrant Visas or “Green Cards” • This is a points-based immigration system • Provinces and territories can nominate individuals for permanent residency based on local labor market needs. • Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor their relatives.

19. Immigrant Visas – Beneficiary Tips • Tips for successful expert reference letters: • Referees should be top experts in your field • Avoid getting too many letters from your current or former colleagues, mentors or employers • Letters should come from diverse sources • To demonstrate international recognition, get letters from abroad • Letters should give specific examples of your professional accomplishments

20. Immigrant Visas – Beneficiary Tips • Tips for successful reference letters: • Prepare drafts for your referees • Letters must make conclusions about your extraordinary/outstanding abilities or national-interest work • Letters must avoid using words like “promising,” “up-and-coming,” “young,” “has the potential to…” • Every word has meaning

21. Visa Bulletin October 2024 Visa Bulletin Highlights • EB-2 Category: Movement has been noted in various regions, with some countries experiencing advancements while others remain static. • EB-3 Category: Similar trends are observed, with specific cut-off dates provided for countries including Canada.

22. Immigration Planning Tips • Understand the big picture – how do temporary and permanent visas interact? • How do I extend my H-1B past 6 years? • I am Canadian in H-1B status – can I switch to TN? • I am on TN or E-3 – can I pursue Permanent Residence? • I have a Master’s and worked for Employer A for 3 years (no prior experience) – can Employer A sponsor me for PERM? • What is the most common way to extend my H-1B status past 6 years?

23. Immigration Planning • Also: • Know how long processes take • Establish a timeline • Determine your immigration, professional and personal goals • Know your priorities • Make a plan with your advisor/attorney • Have a contingency plan • Applying for permanent residence too early may result in a denial • Applying for permanent residence too late may result in a gap in status • Plan your immigration options in advance

24. Thank you for attending Questions?