Immigration

Stewart McKelvey’s Immigration Practice Group understands the importance of foreign talent to our clients when it comes to filling local labour gaps and addressing business needs. Our team of lawyers, paralegals, and support staff have the experience necessary to counsel and assist clients who bring international business travellers, professionals, and skilled or specialized workers to Canada. We support small and medium-size enterprises to multinational corporations in several industries, including:

• technology
• video game
• manufacturing
• transportation
• entertainment
• agriculture
• aquaculture
• forestry
• oil and gas
• education

Both employers and their international hires must understand the specific application procedures to be followed at Canadian visa offices abroad, the Canadian border, and inland processing centres. Because of the visa and medical requirements that apply to certain foreign nationals, the Canadian immigration process is more straightforward for citizens and residents of some countries than others. As strategic advisors, we develop tailored action plans to bring key foreign nationals to Canada in a streamlined and compliant manner and ensure our clients understand the timelines associated with different immigration routes so they can plan their operations accordingly.

Our group is skilled at troubleshooting immigration issues. We know how to address the various roadblocks that can arise in the course of immigration applications, including medical, criminal, and other admissibility issues. We also coach our clients on their obligations when recruiting and hiring foreign nationals (including for short-term, temporary, and contract-based work) to ensure they remain in compliance with Canadian immigration requirements and avoid the potential severe consequences of non-compliance.

We are additionally able to advise and act as representative for individuals, including the family members of foreign workers, regarding work permit, study permit, and permanent residence options and applications.

Insights

Throughout the year, our immigration lawyers provide written insights and updates on recent case law and legislation in the region and beyond. To learn more about relevant topics, click on one of the following titles:

• IRCC expands authorization for foreign workers to study without a study permit: Four things you need to know – July 2023

• Canada’s first-ever Tech Talent Strategy announced – July 2023

• 10 LMIA recruitment and advertising tips for employers looking to hire foreign workers – May 2023
• Hiring internationally in the film & television industry: 5 things you should know – May 2023

• Recent Amendments to the Prohibition on the Purchase of Residential Property by Non-Canadians Regulations – April 2023

• Open Work Permits for Dependent Family Members of Foreign Workers – February 2023

• Prohibition on the Purchase of Residential Property by Non-Canadians – January 2023

• Beyond the Border: A Year End Immigration Wrap-Up – December 2022

• Changes to job classifications and immigration impacts – November 2022
  Nova Scotia: Canada’s emerging immigration hub – November 2022
• Attract & Retain: Nova Scotia taps foreign healthcare workers to fill labour shortages – November 2022
• The Rise of Remote Work and Canadian Immigration Considerations – November 2022
• The future of express entry: Targeted draws to meet Canada’s economic needs – November 2022

• Filling labour gaps with foreign workers: What Canadian employers need to know – October 2022

• Updated employer compliance requirements for employers of foreign workers – October 2022

• Upcoming changes for international students in Canada – October 2022
• COVID-19 immigration and travel: where are we now? – September 2022
• Overwhelming backlog of Canadian immigration applications prompts new government action – August 2022
• New Post-Graduate Work Permit Extension Measure Announced – August, 2022
• Update on the Economic Mobility Program for Refugees (phase 2): The Economic Mobility Pathways Project (“EMPP”) – August 2022
• HR Best Practices When Employing Foreign Workers – July 2022
• Atlantic Canada offers immigration pathways for workers in Trucking, Health, Construction and Food Service Industries – July 2022
• Beyond the Border: Immigration Update – July 2022
• Canada launches new measure to support Ukrainians at home and abroad; The Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel – March 2022
• Upcoming removal of pre-travel COVID-19 test requirement for fully vaccinated travellers – March 2022
• Employers of foreign nationals: LMIA compliance inspections – March 2022
• LMIA advertising exemptions – March 2022
• LMIA recruitment tracking – February 2022
• The Atlantic Immigration Program – now a permanent pathway for immigration – February 2022
• Loosening of federal border measures announced – February 2022
• Beyond the border: Immigration update – February 2022
• What the government is doing to continue support for international students – December 2021
• Beyond the border: Immigration update – October 2021
• Canadian border re-opening: phased approach for fully vaccinated travellers – August 2021
• Nova Scotia: a place to call home for businesses and immigrants alike – June 2021
• Beyond the border: Immigration update – June 2021
• Reuniting with family: who can come to Canada despite COVID-19 restrictions? – June 2021
• Planning for re-opening: what might an international border opening look like in Canada? – June 2021
• COVID-19 immigration update – April 2020 (last updated May 2021)
• Immigration options for entrepreneurs in Canada – April 2021
• Beyond the border: Immigration update – March 2021
• New COVID-19 travel & quarantine requirements – March 2021
• Building French language ability in Canada through immigration – February 2021
• New pre-boarding COVID-19 testing requirements – January 2021
• Beyond the border: Immigration update – December 2020
• What steps must employers take to hire a foreign worker? – November 2020
• How to improve your Express Entry score – October 2020
• Canada’s bid to attract entrepreneurs: the Start-up Visa Program – October 2020
• The limits of open work permits – September 2020
• Beyond the border: Immigration update – September 2020
• Entry of business persons to Canada under CUSMA – July 2020
• Travelling to visit a cottage or summer home in Canada during COVID-19 – June 2020
• Newfoundland and Labrador introduces travel ban – May 2020
• New Brunswick restricts entry of temporary foreign workers – April 2020 (last updated May 2020)
• Can my child obtain a work permit? – February 2020
• Bringing top talent to Canada’s educational institutions – February 2020
• Post-Brexit impact on CETA mobility – February 2020
• Beyond the border: Immigration update – January 2020
• My PR Card expired! What do I do? – January 2020
• Five compliance tips (for employers of foreign workers) – January 2020
• Employer immigration compliance obligations – January 2020
• Beyond the border: Immigration update – November 2019
• Coming to Canada? You may need biometrics / Mise à Jour : Vous pensez bientôt venir au Canada? Vous pourriez avoir besoin de fournir vos données biométriques – December 2018