What is a “tutor” and why are they exempt from travel restrictions? Many people associate “tutor” with academia, but Canada lists them under immediate family members who are exempt from travel restrictions. Canada has listed “tutors” as immediate family members, causing confusion for people who are only familiar with the word being used in academia. By Shelby Thevenot
Holders of expired COPR and PR visas may travel to Canada IRCC says that individuals with valid Confirmation of Permanent Residence and Permanent Resident Visas may be exempt from travel restrictions. Canada’s immigration department has issued new guidelines for holders of expired permanent residence visas. By Alexandra Miekus
Spousal open work permit pilot to become permanent The pilot that has allowed foreign spouses and common-law partners to work in Canada is going to be a permanent program. Canada is making the Open Work Permit Pilot (OWPP) a permanent program, so the spouses and common-law partners of Canadians can continue to work while waiting on their permanent resident status. By Shelby Thevenot
Zoom marriages don’t count when applying for Canadian immigration Yes, you’re both there virtually, but Canada wants you to be in the same room to get married for spousal sponsorship. Canada’s immigration department doesn’t recognize virtual marriages for family-class sponsorship, however, foreign spouses might still be able to cross the border. By Shelby Thevenot
Canada changes definition of “parent” for the 21st century A loophole in Canadian Citizenship law that prevented some parents from passing on citizenship to their children has been closed to support the needs of modern families. Canadian citizenship law is catching up with the times after Quebec Superior Court ruled that the non-biological, legal children of Canadians can have the same citizenship rights as biological children. By Shelby Thevenot
LGBTQ2+ couples can now pass down Canadian citizenship to their foreign-born children Superior Court of Quebec rules to change the definition of "parent" in citizenship law Foreign-born children whose Canadian parents are not biologically related to them now have the same right to citizenship as children birthed by Canadians. By Shelby Thevenot
Canada resumes visitor visa and eTA processing July 1 Travel restrictions still apply but IRCC will once again process online visitor visa and eTA applications to the best of its ability. Canada is once again processing online applications for visitor visas and electronic travel authorizations as of July 1. By Shelby Thevenot
Sponsoring non-status spouses and common-law partners for Canadian immigration IRCC’s mandate to keep families together extends to non-status immigrants who are in a genuine ongoing relationship with a Canadian There are options for spouses and common-law partners of Canadians to get permanent residence even if they do not have immigration status. By Shelby Thevenot
IRCC to process temporary visas and eTAs for immediate family New Ministerial Instructions by IRCC confirm that individuals exempt from travel restrictions including immediate family can obtain TRVs and eTAs. Immediate family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents can now obtain the necessary documents to enter Canada temporarily. By Kareem El-Assal
