Nov 12, 2025 DHS Ends Automatic Extensions of Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced a major change that will impact many foreign nationals and their employers. On October 30, 2025, DHS published an Interim Final Rule (IFR) in the Federal Register immediately ending the longstanding practice of granting automatic extensions of work authorization for many categories... Read More
Nov 5, 2025 Navigating the 2025 Federal Budget: Key Immigration Reforms in Canada’s 2026–2028 Levels Plan The 2025 Federal Budget, tabled by Prime Minister Mark Carney on November 4, 2025, introduces significant changes to Canada’s immigration numbers. The accompanying Annex to Budget 2025 outlines the 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan, which stabilizes permanent resident admissions and sharply reduces temporary resident inflows. Permanent Resident Admissions: Stabilized at 380,000... Read More
Oct 31, 2025 A Troubling Shift: Federal Court Decision Undercuts Canada’s Ability to Remove Security Threats Canada’s immigration and refugee system is built on two pillars: protecting those who face persecution, and protecting Canadians from serious security risks. Unfortunately, the recent Federal Court decision in Ali v. Canada dangerously tilts that balance—and not in favour of Canadians' safety. In their compelling National Post commentary, Sophie Milman... Read More
Oct 20, 2025 Canada’s Immigration Backlog: A 50-Year Wait That Signals the End of Historic Immigration Programs In a startling revelation that has sent shockwaves through the immigration law community and affected families across Canada, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has published processing times that stretch as long as 50 years for certain permanent residency applications. This unprecedented delay has raised questions about the viability, fairness,... Read More
Sep 24, 2025 Bill C-2 (Strong Borders Act): What It Does and What It Could Mean Bill C-2, tabled on June 3, 2025, is framed as legislation to strengthen Canada’s borders, combat organized crime, and restore integrity and efficiency to Canada’s immigration, refugee, and border-management systems. The federal government has presented it as a necessary tool to address rising irregular migration, ballooning backlogs in immigration applications,... Read More
Sep 21, 2025 Pivoting to Canada: A Strategic Response for U.S. Businesses Facing New H-1B Restrictions The recent restrictions on the H-1B program have created significant challenges for U.S. employers who rely on highly skilled foreign workers to meet their business needs. While many companies are considering traditional outsourcing models in response, an alternative strategy deserves serious attention: establishing or expanding a Canadian presence to bring... Read More
Sep 20, 2025 The H-1B Proclamation Nuances You Need to Know UPDATE: The USCIS has just clarified in an Action Decision Memorandum the following details regarding the implementation of the new H-1B fees: "This proclamation only applies prospectively to petitions that have not yet been filed. Theproclamation does not apply to aliens who: are the beneficiaries of petitions that were filed... Read More
Sep 19, 2025 Trump Administration Imposes $100,000 Annual Fee on H-1B Visas On September 19, 2025, the Trump Administration announced one of the most dramatic changes to the U.S. immigration system in decades: the imposition of a $100,000 annual fee for every H-1B visa. The new proclamation, backed by executive order, represents a striking departure from the long-standing framework that governed skilled... Read More
Sep 19, 2025 New U.S. Department of State Guidance on Nonimmigrant Visa Applications: What You Need to Know The U.S. Department of State recently issued updated guidance on September 6, 2025, regarding the adjudication of nonimmigrant visa (NIV) applications. This new policy, effective immediately, introduces significant changes for individuals seeking U.S. nonimmigrant visas, emphasizing the importance of applying at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the applicant’s country... Read More
Sep 1, 2025 Express Entry Applications: Upfront Medical Exam Results and Key Requirements Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has updated its operational guidance on Express Entry applications, emphasizing the importance of submitting a complete electronic application for permanent residence (e-APR) within 60 days of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA). Applications are assessed for completeness up front, and incomplete applications will be... Read More
Sep 1, 2025 Navigating the Proposed Changes to F, J, and I Nonimmigrant Programs: What You Need to Know On August 28, 2025, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) unveiled a proposed regulation that could fundamentally reshape the F, J, and I nonimmigrant programs. This proposal marks a significant departure from the Trump administration’s 2020 attempt to overhaul these programs, which never came to fruition. The 2025 proposed... Read More
Aug 25, 2025 Canada’s Start-up Visa Program Faces Delays and Record Refusals Canada’s Start-up Visa (SUV) Program was designed to bring innovative entrepreneurs to Canada, with the goal of creating jobs and strengthening the economy. Launched in 2013, it was meant to position Canada as a global leader in attracting startup founders, offering them a path to permanent residence in exchange for... Read More