Canadian travel ban exemptions do not override inadmissibility Being exempt from Canadian travel bans is not a step towards overcoming inadmissibility As the coronavirus continues to affect populations around the world, the government of Canada has put in place measures to reduce the spread of the virus within the country. To this end, travel restrictions have been enacted in order to limit the influx of foreign nationals entering Canada. By Stephen Sherman
International students now eligible for PGWP with online courses Online course work will not spell ineligibility for international student graduates seeking Canadian work experience International students starting their Canadian study program in the coming weeks will not be penalized for online coursework if they eventually apply for a Post Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). By Kareem El-Assal
Foreign workers in these 10 occupations can now be hired faster Canada has expedited the process for employers to hire foreign workers in agriculture, food processing, and trucking occupations Employers hiring foreign workers in 10 agriculture, food processing, and trucking occupations can now skip past a time-consuming step in the work permit process. By Shelby Thevenot
Employer responsibilities for protecting Temporary Foreign Workers and Canadians against coronavirus Guidelines for Canadian employers to protect foreign workers and stop the spread of coronavirus Canadian employers are allowed to bring temporary foreign workers into the country, but they must do their part to ensure the safety of the new arrivals and Canadian residents. By Shelby Thevenot
Renewing work and study permits without flagpoling Temporary coronavirus measures make it impossible to renew Canada work and study permits by crossing the U.S. border. As a result of Canada’s directives aimed at limiting the spread of coronavirus, foreign nationals can no longer apply for a temporary visa, such as a work permit, study permit or visitor visa, by flagpoling. By Stephen Sherman
Foreign nationals allowed to come to Canada for work despite coronavirus measures Canada has pulled back on some coronavirus measures to allow entry to work permit holders Work permit holders are now allowed to enter Canada even if they were approved after the government issued a travel ban to stop the spread of coronavirus. By Shelby Thevenot
Canada processing Temporary Foreign Worker applications amid coronavirus measures Officials are working with Canadian employers to allow temporary foreign workers into Canada, priority going to occupations that ensure food security Canada is continuing to process applications for all Temporary Foreign Worker Program streams and working to help Canadian employers along the way. By Shelby Thevenot
Canada and U.S. provide more information on status of work permit holders Despite cross-border travel restrictions that take effect on March 21, it appears some work permit holders will be able to travel between the Canada-U.S. border. cicnews.com will continue to update this story as more information becomes available. In advance of travel restrictions to be implemented at their border effective tomorrow, on Saturday, March 21, both the Canadian and U.S. government have released more details on who will be included and excluded from the restrictions. By Kareem El-Assal
Extending your stay in Canada during the coronavirus pandemic Whether you are a worker, student or visitor to Canada, it is of the utmost importance that you extend your stay in the correct manner. While obtaining a Canadian permit or visa is a goal for countless foreign nationals around the world, the status it confers may need to be extended. This could raise a host of issues that the foreign national may not have faced in their initial application. By Stephen Sherman