Potential Express Entry Reforms and Expedited Work Permit Processing Option Announced
May 26, 2016
At an event hosted by the Toronto Board of Trade and the Pearson Centre for Progressive Policy on May 24, 2016 to address Canada’s immigration policies and regulations from an economic standpoint, the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Hon. John McCallum, announced potential immigration policy changes. A House of Commons committee is reviewing the existing temporary and permanent worker programs and the government plans to use the Committee’s recommendations to create policies that increase the number of economic immigrants and ensure national competitiveness.
Notable Potential Policy Changes
The Minister announced the following potential changes to Canadian immigration policy:
- Greater access to permanent residence status for international students via the Express Entry program, including potentially providing extra points for university graduates to increase their chances of selection to apply for permanent residence.
- Further reforms to the Express Entry program, specifically for Labor Market Impact Assessment-exempt work permit holders. The Minister stated that a labour market assessment should not be a decisive factor for determining access to permanent residence status.
- The potential option for employers to pay for an expedited work permit process.
- Faster processing times for temporary and permanent economic stream applications, since the government has now resettled 25,000 Syrian refugees between November 2015 and February 2016 that it promised to resettle.
What This Means for Employers and Foreign Nationals
Employers and foreign nationals should be prepared for further guidance regarding changes to Canadian immigration policies and options.
Fragomen will monitor the proposed changes and report more information as it becomes available.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].
Explore more at Fragomen
Video
Partner Charles Johanes discusses key tips on managing workforce ratios and other localisation requirements across the APAC region.
Blog post
Associate Anastasija Vasiljeva discusses the digitalisation of the UK immigration system, how these changes are designed to enhance efficiency and security and how student sponsors and visa nationals must stay informed and compliant.
Video
Senior Immigration Consultant Elizabeth Kamm discusses changes to the Schengen Area that travellers should be aware of and how travellers can ensure they are prepared to meet immigration requirements.
Blog post
Senior Manager Deirdre Murray discusses the possibility of the Irish Government granting the spouses and partners of Intra-Company Transfer employment permits an automatic right to work in Ireland.
Media mentions
El director Miguel Jiménez analiza el programa de viajes de negocios a corto plazo de México con GBTA en la Conferencia LATAM 2024 en Ciudad de México.
Media mentions
Director Claire Cumiskey joins the Breakfast Business podcast to discuss Ireland’s Employment Permits Bill.
Blog post
Senior Associate Evan Tutton and Immigration Supervisor Sanjay Parmar discuss how organisations in the UK employing Student visa holders must ensure immigration compliance, and what steps Student visa holders should take.
Blog post
This blog covers the UK Government's evaluation of the Graduate visa route's effectiveness, its potential for abuse and the impact on the country's higher education system and economy, as well as the impending review by the MAC.
Media mentions
Partner Dan Brown co-authored a whitepaper on how the U.S is better situated to face workforce challenges because of immigration.
Media mentions
Partnering with Talent Beyond Boundaries, Fragomen continues to support displaced people in their host societies.
Media mentions
Senior Manager Kelly Hardman discusses Scotland’s hospitality sector following the UK government’s increase to the salary threshold for Skilled Worker visas.
Blog post
Manager Russell Hodges and Immigration Paralegal Natalia Jozwiak discuss the future of the UK's science sector following the country's 2024 re-entry into the Horizon programme and shift in migration policy.
Video
Partner Charles Johanes discusses key tips on managing workforce ratios and other localisation requirements across the APAC region.
Blog post
Associate Anastasija Vasiljeva discusses the digitalisation of the UK immigration system, how these changes are designed to enhance efficiency and security and how student sponsors and visa nationals must stay informed and compliant.
Video
Senior Immigration Consultant Elizabeth Kamm discusses changes to the Schengen Area that travellers should be aware of and how travellers can ensure they are prepared to meet immigration requirements.
Blog post
Senior Manager Deirdre Murray discusses the possibility of the Irish Government granting the spouses and partners of Intra-Company Transfer employment permits an automatic right to work in Ireland.
Media mentions
El director Miguel Jiménez analiza el programa de viajes de negocios a corto plazo de México con GBTA en la Conferencia LATAM 2024 en Ciudad de México.
Media mentions
Director Claire Cumiskey joins the Breakfast Business podcast to discuss Ireland’s Employment Permits Bill.
Blog post
Senior Associate Evan Tutton and Immigration Supervisor Sanjay Parmar discuss how organisations in the UK employing Student visa holders must ensure immigration compliance, and what steps Student visa holders should take.
Blog post
This blog covers the UK Government's evaluation of the Graduate visa route's effectiveness, its potential for abuse and the impact on the country's higher education system and economy, as well as the impending review by the MAC.
Media mentions
Partner Dan Brown co-authored a whitepaper on how the U.S is better situated to face workforce challenges because of immigration.
Media mentions
Partnering with Talent Beyond Boundaries, Fragomen continues to support displaced people in their host societies.
Media mentions
Senior Manager Kelly Hardman discusses Scotland’s hospitality sector following the UK government’s increase to the salary threshold for Skilled Worker visas.
Blog post
Manager Russell Hodges and Immigration Paralegal Natalia Jozwiak discuss the future of the UK's science sector following the country's 2024 re-entry into the Horizon programme and shift in migration policy.