New Policies for Vulnerable Individuals and Temporary Residents

The last couple weeks have been full of exciting announcements and changes from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. Here are a few important ones to note:

• International workers on employer-specific work permits who are experiencing abuse, or who are at a risk of experiencing abuse, at the hands of their Canadian employer, may qualify to apply for a fee-exempt open work permit. Examples of qualifying grounds of abuse can include being threatened, forced to work in an unsafe environment, or repeatedly not receiving wages owed for work completed.

• Temporary residents in Canada who are applying to extend their status must apply online, unless specifically exempted. A list of exemptions can be found here.

• Spouses and partners of Atlantic Immigration Pilot program work permit holders currently employed in a NOC C occupation now qualify to obtain an open spousal work permit.

• Starting July 26, temporary residents experiencing domestic abuse and whose status in Canada is dependent on their abusive partner, will be able to apply for a fee-exempt temporary resident permit and open work permit.

• A new 2-year pilot program starting September 9, where individuals who initially became permanent residents through either the refugee or family class will be permitted to sponsor previously undeclared family members.

If you would like to learn more about how these changes may affect you please feel free to contact us at (416) 548-9101, or at inquiries@www.lmlawgroup.com.