Canadian Immigration has always had its share of changes, however it's really been a moving target lately, with many changes being made to the temporary foreign worker programs. This of course is a result of the global economic situation and rising unemployment among Canadian citizens and permanent residents. Here is a summary of what has happened:
Labour Market Opinions (LMO):
- Service Canada (SC) has introduced new Advertising Guidelines nationally and with that has eliminated the regional lists of Occupations Under Pressure. This ensures that Canadian employers are focusing their recruitment efforts on Canada first. New advertising requirements also apply to the Expedited LMO Process.
- Also axed was the previously existing LMO renewal process. To extend a foreign worker you currently employ, you will have to submit a new LMO application - after (re-)posting the position.
- New LMO application forms were introduced in April, containing additional questions. LMO applications submitted with old forms will be rejected.
- SC introduced a Monitoring Initiative, essentially enforcing that employers comply with requirements (e.g. offer benefits and pay salary as indicated on the LMO application) and report lay-offs (and other departures) as well as new hires. This information is intended to help SC monitor the continued need for Temporary Foreign Workers and ensure that Canadians and permanent residents are considered first for job opportunities.
- LMO Durations: LMOs can be requested for a period of up to 3 years, however lately many LMOs have only been issued for one year at a time.
- LMO Validity: Effective May 19, all LMOs will have an expiry date of 6 months. This means that your foreign worker needs to apply for his work permit within 6 months from the LMO issue date. All LMOs issued prior to May 19 will expire on November 19, 2009.
Citizenship & Immigration Canada (CIC):
We've seen many cases where CIC has only issued a one-year work permit upon entry even if the applicant had a LMO valid for 2 or 3 years. In this case your employee needs to apply for an extension through the Case Processing Centre in Vegreville, but can still use the existing LMO for that.
Travel:
- Reminder: on June 1, 2009 the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative will be fully implemented now also including land border crossings. Passports (or other document that denotes identity and citizenship) are now required when entering the US.
- Visa requirements for Croatian citizens have been lifted effective March 29, 2009.
Provincial Nominee Programs:
- The BC PNP does not grant extensions to their nomination certificates anymore. BC PNP Nominations have always been valid for 6 months (meaning that the provincial nominee has a six months window to submit the application for permanent residence to CIC), however in the past extension were granted if circumstances warranted an exception.
- The Ontario PNP has now moved from the pilot phase into a full blown program, which is accessible to skilled workers and international students.
Current Processing Times
Labour Market Opinions (Service Canada BC): 26 working days!
BC Provincial Nominee Program: 4-8 weeks
CPC Vegreville: 80 days (same employer); 20 days (new employer)
Upcoming Events
Summer School is back again:
For the 4th year, Think Relocation Consulting and Global Steps Relocation Consulting are presenting our Immigration and Relocation Basics Workshops under the Summer School motto. Join us on July 15 or 29 to learn about the intricacies of Canadian immigration or talk relocation policy with us on July 22.
To sign up please contact us.
CERC Regional Event:
Mark your calendars: The Pacific region will hold its second event on May 26. The session titled "Does Your Current Talent Deployment Include Risk Management?" will take place at the Best Buy Canada offices in Burnaby.
CERC Symposia:
Building on the success of last years events, the Canadian Employee Relocation Council will again hold two Symposia on Building Canada's Workforce for the "New Economy" in Calgary (June 9) and Toronto (June 3)
This year the Annual Conference willl be held in Ottawa, from September 27 - 29, 2009.