Czech Republic Could Face Re-Introduction of Visa Requirement (Prague Post, July 23 2008)

After having their requirement for visas to travel to Canada lifted in November, a surge of refugee claims by Czech citizens has been reported. The Czech Republic is not considered to be a "refugee producing" country, and none of the claims have been approved so far.

It was this reason - surging refugee claims - that caused the visa restriction to take effect in 1997. At that time over 4000 Czech's had made asylum claims in Canada.

Many Visitors to USA Will Have to Register Three Days Prior to Flying ( USA Today, June 2, 2008)

Christopher Daw's thoughts:

The United States Department of Homeland Security will require all those entering via the US Visa Waiver Programme to register on-line three (3) days in advance of their flight to the USA. DOHS will use the information to screen for potential terrorists prior to their arrival. It is unclear exactly why they feel that known terror suspects will use their real identities to enter the USA, especially considering the current use of 'no fly' lists and other security checks.

Canada is not part of the Visa Waiver Programme, and this change will not apply to Canada passport holders. Those holding passports from one of the 27 participating Visa Waiver countries (See list) will see these changes take effect on 1 August 2008. This could include Permanent Residents of Canada (formerly called Landed Immigrant) or Work/Student Permit holders residing in Canada.

Improvements to Work Permits for International Students (Citizenship & Immigration Canada, April 21, 2008)

Christopher Daw's thoughts:

Citizenship and Immigration Canada have overhauled the program for issuing post-graduate work permits. This program applies to International Students that have recently graduated from an approved Canadian Post-Secondary Institution.

These changes will allow longer work permits to be issued, applicants from anywhere in Canada to receive the same treatment, and most importantly the work permit will allow the holder to change jobs without applying for a new work permit.

Paris Hilton Needs Special Permission to Enter Canada (Toronto Star, April 3 2008)

Christopher Daw's thoughts:

Like any foreign national with a criminal conviction, Paris Hilton cannot enter Canada without applying for special permission. As this article mentions, she has previously entered Canada since her conviction and brief jail term in 2007 after being issued with a Temporary Residence Permit.

Anyone with any criminal history - whether you served jail time, or received probation or just a fine - needs to look into this matter before trying to enter Canada.

Changes to Immigration Could Gut the System (Kitchener-Waterloo Record, Mar 31 2008)

Christopher Daw wrote this letter to the editor to express his concern over the proposed amendments to the Immigration & Refugee Protection Act.

While some members of the opposition have expressed a willingness to fight an election campaign, it appears there is not enough support to defeat this measure.

Visitor Visa Requirements lifted on four EU Members (Citizenship & Immigration Canada, Mar 1, 2008)

Christopher Daw's thoughts:

Canada is making a commitment to strengthen ties with the newest members of the European Union. Effective today, citizens of Poland, Lithuania, Slovakia & Hungary no longer require visas to travel to Canada as visitors (tourists). Last year over 33 000 visitor visas were issued to Polish citizens, the other three countries combined for around 11 000 visas.

This policy change will encourage greater economic links between Canada and these four nations. Aside from tourists, business persons wishing to travel to Canada for meetings, sales or market exploration will be able to do so without having to seek approval before departing.

At this point in time, Romania and Bulgaria are the only two European Union member nations that still require visas. Immigration Minister Diane Finley is to be congratulated for lifting visas requirements on seven EU nations in the past two years.

Christopher Daw's thoughts on proposed Canadian Experience Class (Jan 10, 2008)

Details of this program are not yet public, but behind the scenes consultation is under way. What is known appears to be at odds with what many in the industry felt was required of this program.

Instead of allowing people that have been working in Canada to apply based on that experience alone, this new class may involve language testing, and minimum education requirements. These two criteria are currently the biggest obstacles to these workers applying under the Federal Skilled Worker Class. By having these requirements in place, many of the people that this new application stream was supposed to assist, will find that they still do not qualify for Permanent Residence.

Citizenship and Immigration Canada appears to favour using the Canadian Experience Class to facilitate Permanent Residence applications for recently graduated international students. There is nothing wrong with doing so, but most of these recent graduates qualify for the Federal Skilled Worker application stream. Students that don't qualify today almost certainly will within a few years, due to higher levels of education and language ability than many of the long term "Temporary" Foreign Workers that are vital to many Canadian companies.

The new class appears to have a target date of Summer 2008. We will continue to update this page as more information becomes available.

Legislation to Restore Citizenship to Lost Canadians (Citizenship & Immigration Canada, Dec 10, 2007)

Christopher Daw's thoughts:

Canada' s Citizenship Acts of 1947 and 1977, contained various loopholes that caused many people to lose their Canadian Citizenship. A common example was someone born in Canada, who had a parent move to another country (most commonly the USA) and take up citizenship there. Under the law at the time, this was a renunciation of the Canadian Citizenship for the parent and child. This sort of thing is totally inconsistent with the dual citizenship notions that Canada has embraced for many years. Currently, Canada gives time for children registered as Canadians to establish their own residency, recognizing that minors must live wherever their parents want them to.

This new bill is not law yet. If passed it will allow for anyone to apply to regain citizenship that was lost through any of these technicalities.

Federal Court Strikes Down "Safe Third Country" Law: USA Can't be Considered a Safe Country ( Globe & Mail, Dec 1, 2007)

Christopher Daw's thoughts:

The Safe Third Country rule prevents refugees (with a few exceptions) from making a claim for asylum in Canada, if they have travelled through the USA. Those travelling through the USA are expected to make their refugee claims in that country.

Justice Michael Phelan of the Federal Court has declared that the United States cannot be considered a "Safe Country" for the interpretation of this law, due to its failure to comply with international anti-torture provisions. There are also countries, such as Haiti and Liberia, that are considered unsafe by Canada to deport people back to, but the not by the USA.

Citizenship and Immigration Canada has until January 14, 2008 to appeal this ruling. If the ruling stands, then Canada can expect an already overburdened Refugee system to become even slower as the number of claims rises.

American Military Personnel Fleeing Iraq War Denied Canadian Refugee Status (Ottawa Citizen, Nov 24, 2007)

Christopher Daw's thoughts:

Several Americans that have deserted the military to avoid serving in, or returning to Iraq have filed claims for political asylum in Canada. The first two cases seeking appeal have been refused a hearing by the Supreme Court of Canada. This means that the dozens of remaining applicants in the pipeline will have an uphill battle to be found to be refugees.

One upcoming case involves a former member of the 3rd Armored Calvary Regiment, who participated in raids on the homes of Iraqi civilians. He claims to have witnessed unarmed civilians being murdered by members of his company. He certainly has a stronger case than the two that were just denied further appeals, but it remains to be seen whether Canada will set the precedent of accepting any of these refugee claims.

Priority Processing for Family Members in Iraq (Citizenship & Immigration Canada, Nov 20, 2007)

Christopher Daw's thoughts:

Citizenship and Immigration Canada has (finally!!) recognized that conditions in Iraq are less than favourable and have initiated priority processing. Family Class sponsorship cases are to be marked "Situation in Iraq" on the envelope, to ensure they are separated upon arrival at the case processing centre. These visas will still be processed by the Canadian Embassy in Damascus, Syria, but will be made the highest priority.

If you have questions about close family members in Iraq, please get in touch with our office to discuss.

Canada Removes Czech Republic and Latvia from Visa list (Citizenship & Immigration Canada, Oct 31, 2007)

Christopher Daw's thoughts:

Effective October 31 2007, Canada has removed temporary resident visa requirements on Citizens of the Czech Republic and Latvia. This means that tourists / visitors from these two countries can now simply buy a ticket and travel to Canada.

Canada is examining each European Union country, with the goal of having all of the EU able to travel to Canada without visas in the future. Currently, the following EU countries still require visas for Canada: Bulgaria, Hungary, Lithuania, Poland, Romania & Slovakia.

Annual Report to Parliament on Immigration, 2007 (Citizenship & Immigration Canada, Oct 31, 2007)

Christopher Daw's thoughts:

The 2007 Annual Report to Parliament on Immigration has just been released and there are some surprises for 2008.

A new Class for Immigration for workers with Canadian expereince will be implemented. This will be called the Canadian Experience Class, and details will be provided as soon as Citizenship & Immigration Canada make them available.

The purpose of the Canadian Experience Class will be to allow some work permit holders to apply from within Canada. This has been badly needed, as many workers with good jobs here lack the education and high level language ability to qualify as Skilled Workers.  Many of these work permit holders have Canadian born children and own their own homes here.

Overall, the 2008 target will allow for up to 265 000 new Permanent Residents next year.

Refugee Claims from Mexico up in 2007 ( Toronto Star, August 5 2007)

Christopher Daw's thoughts:

Many people travel to Canada and claim refugee status without first being properly advised of all their options. For many applicants, a claim of political asylum can be successful. Sadly, for many others a failed refugee claim means a short stay in Canada, and then a one way ticket out of the country. This is very sad, as many of these applicants would have qualified in another type of application, and would have been able to stay had the correct application been made. It is always best to be fully aware of the law before making an application of any type.

Can I Sponsor my "Last Remaining Family Member".

People often ask if they can sponsor their last remaining family member.
This is a very difficult application to apply under, one that should be thoroughly researched before undertaking. We can explain rules for this type of application. The instructions that Citizenship and Immigration Canada provide for this application confuse many people as to whether or not they will be approved.