In order to alleviate the backlog of Federal Skilled Worker applications, Citizenship and Immigration Canada has asked provinces for assistance with applications submitted before February 2008. The Ontario Provincial Nominee Program is therefore accepting applications from persons qualified under the following five occupations: Computer Analysts and Consultants (NOC 2171) Software Developers (NOC 2173) Interactive Media [...]

GENERAL The L-1 visa permits foreign companies to transfer managers, executives or employees with specialized knowledge to the company’s U.S. branch, subsidiary, parent, affiliate or joint venture-partner. The L-1 visa can be used by individuals and companies that already have a pre-exiting business operation in the U.S. or individuals/companies who wish to establish a business [...]

As per Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regulations, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced 58 countries whose nationals are eligible for H-2A and H-2B participation. The notice listing eligible countries was published in today’s Federal Register (effective January 18, 2012 for one year). The H-2A and H-2B programs establish a means for U.S. employers [...]

As of January 17, 2012, nonimmigrant visas are not available to the foreign nationals subject to the H-1B cap, which has been reached for fiscal year 2012. Both the 65,000 regular H-1B visas and the 20,000 cap-exempt visas set aside for those with advanced degrees have been exhausted. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will, [...]

As of January 17, 2012, Citizenship and Immigration Canada has officially announced that Principal Applicants may be switched on applications to sponsor parents or grandparents to Canada. This is an option where the principal applicant passes away. Specifically, where the principal applicant has died, the spouse of the principal applicant may take his/her place so that [...]

  At the end of June 2012 Citizenship and Immigration Canada will be finalizing the implementation of its new refugee regulations. Canada’s refugee assessment system has already undergone significant changes. When additional revisions come into effect later this year, it is anticipated that the increase in refusals and removals of failed refugee claimants will create [...]