International Students who have completed their studies and are in Canada on post-graduation work permits that have recently expired or are soon to expire have been given a lifeline in the form of a new work permit program. Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino announced on January 8, 2021 that international students who had post-graduate work permits that have recently expired or are soon to expire would be given the opportunity to receive an additional open work permit for an additional 18

On June 18, 2019, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) launched two new five-year pilot programs for eligible caregivers. The new programs are intended to make it easier for caregivers to change employers, bring their immediate families to Canada, and apply for permanent residence after obtaining two years of qualifying work experience in Canada. The previous programs, Caring for Children and Caring for People with High Medical Needs, ended on June 18, 2019. If you have already applied under one

On October 17, 2018, recreational use of cannabis (marijuana) became legal in Canada. The Cannabis Act came into force then, and now governs usage, cultivation, possession and trafficking in cannabis. It is very important to understand that only cannabis purchased or cultivated legally per the rules and restrictions found in the Act is considered legal. Any cannabis purchased outside of a properly regulated store (or online store), or grown at home without following the proper restrictions, is still considered “illicit”

The Federal Government has announced plans to start collecting exit information for almost all individuals who travel out of Canada.  It may come as a surprise to many that Canada does not currently know when most people leave the country.  While we collect information on individuals who legally enter Canada, we generally don’t track when people depart.  Our only form of exit tracking was implemented in 2013 when Canada began receiving entry records from American authorities for foreign nationals and

UPDATE: Parent/Grandparent interest to sponsor form will be available at noon EST on January 28, 2019. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) kept eager applicants guessing until the very last minute, but finally announced on December 31, 2018 that the much anticipated reopening of the 2019 Parent/Grandparent Sponsorship program would not occur right at the dawn of the new year, but would instead be reopening “in late January”.  The announcement, which was done via Twitter also indicated that IRCC would

In October of 2018, Canada legalized the recreational use of marijuana (cannabis) for adults. The introduction of this legislation arrives with some significant changes to the penalties that may be imposed on those who commit offenses related not only to marijuana but to many driving related offences as well. Taking effect on December 18, 2018, one such change will see an increase in the maximum penalty for driving under the influence, or “DUI”, and it is this change that may