Summer Greetings

It is hard to believe that we are nearing the end of a summer that is unlike anything we have experienced in our lifetime. We hope that you and your loved ones are keeping well and safe during these difficult times.

While our physical office has been closed for the past few months, our team has continued to work remotely to meet the needs of our valued clients. While we will be transitioning to some in-office work, our priority remains the safety of our staff and clients. To that end, we will be diligently enforcing a social distancing policy and ask that you always call first before coming to the office.  Please don't hesitate to contact us by phone at 416-661-6376 or by email at inquiries@immsol.com if there is anything at all we can do to help you with your immigration needs

- Cari Gombinsky

  Pathway to permanent residency for refugee claimants on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has announced a temporary permanent residency pathway for asylum claimants working in the health-care sector during the pandemic. This measure recognizes the incredible contributions being made by foreign nationals who are risking their own lives to care for others in Canada. 

Here are a few important things to be aware of with respect to this exciting program:

• applicants must have claimed asylum before  March 13, 2020
• in-Canada family members of the principal applicant are included in the application for permanent residency
• those who have been found to be ineligible to make an asylum claim, or who have withdrawn or abandoned their claim, are excluded 
• applicants must have a work permit issued after making their refugee claim 
• applicants must have worked in a designated occupation for at least 120 hours between March 13, 2020 and August 14, 2020
• the deadline to obtain the minimum 6 months of experience in the designated occupation is August 31, 2021 
• standard admissibility requirements, including those related to criminality, security and health, must be met  
• If an applicant wants to reside in Quebec, he/she must have a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ)

Open Work Permit Pilot Program Extended for Spouse or Common-Law Partner in Canada Class

A number of criteria must be met for applicants to qualify under the Open Work Permit Pilot Program. For example, applicants must:

• live in Canada;
• have submitted an application under the spouse or common-law partner in Canada class; 
• have temporary resident status or be eligible to restore their temporary resident status (as a visitor, student or worker); and
• live at the same address as their sponsor.

Important Note: If you previously obtained a work permit under the initial pilot program, you must apply for a work permit extension before your status in Canada lapses.

             Extension of Time to Apply                  for Restoration of       Temporary Resident Status

Typically, visitors and study or work permit holders in Canada have a maximum of 90 days after their status expires to apply to have their status restored. Due to challenges caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has issued a public policy that extends this time limit to December 31, 2020.

In order to fall within this policy, an individual who remained in Canada must be a former worker, student or visitor whose status expired after January 30, 2020. Applicants must of course satisfy all of the requirements for the specific type of status they are seeking to restore.

Former work permit holders may work while their restoration application is pending as long as they:

• have a job offer
• submit a work permit application supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (not required if an employment offer is LMIA-exempt) 
• properly notify Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada 

 Stage 3 Reopening

With the Windsor-Essex region moving into Stage 3 of reopening, the entire province of Ontario is now in Stage 3. A number of restrictions relating to public gatherings and business operations are eased during this stage. Important things to know in relation to the Stage 3 reopening:

• Almost all businesses and public spaces are able to gradually reopen with certain public health and workplace restrictions in place;
• Certain high-risk venues and activities will remain closed;
• Ontarians can now attend indoor gatherings of up to 50 people and outdoor gatherings of up to 100 people;
• Orders relating to physical distancing and the mandatory wearing of masks in indoor public spaces are still applicable.