Immigration News

Overseas Processing Targets

February 2007

I don’t suppose anyone would be surprised to learn that the Canadian government sets numerical targets for each visa office.

To read the full article, see Overseas Processing Targets

Citizenship for Children Born Outside of Canada

February 2007

Canadian citizenship rules appear to be quite straightforward, but there are a few hidden traps that catch many people unawares. Many people who believe they are Canadian citizens are not Canadian citizens at all. Others are at risk of losing their citizenship if they fail to take action to protect it.

To read the full article, see Citizenship for Children Born Outside of Canada

Open Borders

January 2007

Most immigrants come to Canada for work. They do not want to be on welfare, they want to have jobs. Those who come to Canada and work illegally are included in this description.

If the jobs are available, and migrants are qualified, then surely this benefits the local economy.

To read the full article, see Open Borders

Iraqi Refugees

December 2006

The situation of Iraqi refugees exposes many of the inequities of Canada refugee process.

To read the full article, see Iraqi Refugees

Armed Border Guards

November 2006

Canada has long felt pride at having the world’s largest unarmed border. But the union representing border staff has for a very long time been asking for weapons.

To read the full article, see Armed Border Guards

Nurses in Demand

October 2006

Historically, Canada has suffered from ongoing shortages of nurses. This goes back at least to the 1940s. In spite of some disruptions arising from government cutbacks in the early 1990s, there is still a shortage today, and there is likely to be a shortage into the foreseeable future.

To read the full article, see Nurses

Pre-Removal Risk Assessments

October 2006

The pre-removal risk assessment (PRRA) is a last minute opportunity for people to persuade the Canadian government that they will be in danger if they have to return to their home country.

To read the full article, see Pre-Removal Risk Assessments

Immigration trends

September 2006

The vast majority of permanent residents living in Canada in 2005 came here as economic migrants (more than 156,000). The family class provided less than half as many of our permanent residents (over 63,000). The third category, refugees, accounted for just more than one fifth as many as economic immigrants (35,000). Refugees accounted for just over 13 percent of the total.

To read the full article, see Immigration Trends

Federal Court

August 2006

Judges on Canada’s Federal Court review the decisions of immigration, visa, and Canada Border Services Agency (CSBA) officers. It also reviews the decisions of members of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada.

To read the full article, see Federal Court

Simplified Application Process

August 2006

The Canadian government made an announcement that has attracted a lot of notice. It has changed the way it receives application from skilled worker and business class candidates.

To read the full article, see Simplified Application Process

Good Counsel

July 2006

The simplest reason why you should consider hiring qualified counsel to assist you is that Canada's immigration authorities have very high expectations of applicants, and these expectations are sometimes very unpredictable.

To read the full article, see Good Counsel

Canada's Birthday

July 2006

Canada just had its 139th birthday. There is little that better underlines our multicultural nature than seeing the crowd of kids at a wading pool at a Canada Day celebration in one of our local parks, or the dress and accents of the adults celebrating.

To read the full article, see Canada's Birthday

World Refugee Day

June 2006

World Refugee Day is June 20. This marks an opportunity to reflect on the courage shown by so many refugees who have had to flee their home countries.

To read the full article, see World Refugee Day

Dependant Students

June 2006

This past week the Federal Court of Appeal upheld one of Canada’s worst immigration policies. The outrageously long processing times for sponsoring parents are horrible for many reasons.

To read the full article, see Dependant Students

Supreme Court to Hear Security Cases

June 2006

On 13 June 2006 the Supreme Court of Canada will hear appeals in three national security certificate cases. These are all cases where men of Arab background were detained on suspicion of being associated with terrorism.

To read the full article, see Supreme Court to Hear Security Cases.

Illegal Immigrants

May 2006

Deportations and illegal immigration became a hot topic this past March when the Canada Border Services Agency, started arresting and deporting Portuguese who were living and working in Canada without proper status.

To read the full article, see Illegal immigrants

Pakistan visit

May 2006

Gregory James will be visiting our Lahore office in July 2006. Farah Mahmud Syed and Gregory James will be holding seminars and consultations in Lahore and Islamabad. If you, family or friends would like to meet with us in Pakistan, please contact our Lahore office at 042-5421007 or send an e-mail to fsyed@GregoryJamesLaw.com.

To read the full article, see Pakistan visit

Work Permits for Foreign Students

May 2006

As of April 27, 2006, foreign students studying in Canada can now get work permits that allow them to work off campus with any employer.

To read the full article, see Work permits for Foreign Students
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Reduction in landing fees

May 2006

One of the changes announced with the Conservative government budget on May 2 was that the Right of Permanent Resident Fee (RPRF) would be reduced from $975.00 to $490.00 per adult. This is a welcome development.

To read the full article, see Reduction in Landing Fees.

Settlement Issues
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May 2006

The ability of new skilled immigrants to successfully settle in Canada continues to be a serious issue.

To read the full article, see Settlement Issues.

Ontario announces fast track accreditation programme for engineers and doctors

October 2004

The government of the Province of Ontario has created more than 20 fast-track accreditation programmes for people with foreign qualifications in various professions. Ontario has announced such a programme for engineers, and says one for doctors will be announced shortly.

To read the full article, see accreditation programmes

Entrepreneur immigrants consider Canadian business franchises

"Checking in at the right time: A brother-sister act did their homework before starting a motel"
By Erin Pooley
The Globe and Mail (Canada), October 20, 2004; Pg. E4

LONDON, ONT. -- Daniel Won got his start in the hotel business mopping floors, cleaning toilets and answering phones.
Eighteen years later, the 36-year-old businessman has paid his dues and is getting ready to open a Motel 6 franchise in London, Ont., where he'll oversee the operations of the 99-room, 44,000-square-foot no-frills motel after construction wraps up next summer.
. . .
The franchise concept has become an attractive option for a growing number of new immigrants looking for a gateway into the Canadian business market, particularly in the hotel and restaurant industries.

Immigration consultants' group sparks anger

Law societies argue that CSIC fails to fully protect would-be Canadians from sometimes negligent advice

Immigration consultants are not lawyers, do not have lawyers' training or qualifications, are not usually subject to supervision, and often charge as much or more in fees. Yet Canada's immigration authorities recognize consultants as counsel in immigration matters. This is controversial.

To read the full article see article: Immigration Consultants

Construction Workers in Demand

October 2004

Canada, and especially the Greater Toronto Area, is experiencing a record level of construction industry growth. The construction industry is suffering a critical shortage of qualified construction workers. This has created an opportunity for experienced foreign construction industry workers to come to Canada as temporary workers and as permanent residents.

Because there are not enough Canadian workers to meet the need, the Canadian government has taken steps to facilitate the entry of experienced construction workers into Canada as temporary workers and as permanent residents.

For a free assessment, complete our skilled worker assessment form.

Toronto, Canada's biggest city tops in growth

September 2004

Approximately 39,000 new immigrants moved to Toronto in 2003, much more than any other Canadian centre.

Fifty percent of Canada’s new immigrants settle in the Greater Toronto Area.

Toronto has Canada’s fastest growing economy. A recent Conference Board of Canada report says that it will continue to be Canada's leader for the next four years, at least.

The most significant factor supporting this economic growth was Toronto’s population growth, approximately 60% of which were new immigrants.

For further information see the following items:

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