BIOMETRICS EXEMPTIONS ANNOUNCED DURING COVID

July 14, 2020

Biometrics exemption for temporary residence applicants in Canada

As a temporary measure, you’re exempt from giving biometrics if you’re applying from within Canada

• to extend your stay as a student, worker or visitor
• to restore your status as a student, worker or visitor
• for a work or study permit
• for a visitor visa
• for a temporary resident permit

This applies to all new applications as well as applications already in progress.

It applies even if

• your application form for a work permit, study permit or visitor visa says it’s for applicants outside Canada
• our online application system asks you to pay a biometric fee (CAN$85)

This temporary measure does not apply if you’re outside Canada.

Henry Moyal, Immigration Lawyer

www.moyal.com

IN-CANADA APPLICANTS MUST FILE APPLICATIONS ELECTRONICALLY

Immigration Newsweek

By Atty. Henry Moyal

Just in time for the pandemic, Canada Immigration is now requiring all applicants who are in Canada as temporary residents and are seeking to extend their temporary resident status or their authorization to work or study must apply by electronic means only, unless otherwise specified.

To be specific, the following applications must be made by the electronic means – which means that applicants can no longer send paper based applicants ( unless unable to do so due to a disability).

• an application for an extension of an authorization to remain in Canada as a temporary resident
• an application that is made in Canada for a work or study permit or for renewal of such a permit
• an application for the restoration of temporary resident status
• an application that is made pursuant to a youth mobility arrangement entered into by Canada

The following applications are exempted:

Attorney Henry Moyal is a certified and licensed immigration lawyer in Toronto, Ontario.

The above article is general advice only and is not intended to act as a legal document.

Send questions to Attorney Moyal by email canada@moyal.com  or call 416 733 3193

CANADA IMMIGRATION RESUMES PROCESSING OF VISITOR APPLICATIONS POST PANDEMIC

As of July 1, 2020, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will once again process online applications for visitor visas (including transit visas) and electronic travel authorizations (eTAs), to the extent possible.
Resuming processing and making final decisions where possible on visitor applications will help IRCC ensure future processing times aren’t significantly impacted and help expedite people’s travel when the travel restrictions are lifted.
However, due to current travel restrictions, applicants should keep in mind that, even if they apply and get a visitor visa or eTA, most people will not be able to travel to Canada at this time.

Henry Moyal, Immigration Lawyer

ENTERING CANADA DURING THE PANDEMIC

Immigration Newsweek

By Atty. Henry Moyal

There is no doubt that these are unprecedented times and 2020 will always be known in history as the year of the Covid-19 pandemic. There is also no doubt that the pandemic has taken everyone by surprise and many have questions on proper safety protocol and the future of immigration. However, those following IRCC in the news will know that Canada Immigration did not / has not stopped processing applications for permanent residence. While physical offices have been closed and in person interviews have been cancelled, Canada Immigration has been business as usual and working electronically.

The main changes in IRCC processing during pandemic has been however those seeking to enter Canada. The following are the guidelines:

Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) will deny entry to any foreign national who displays symptoms of COVID-19 or whose travel is for an optional or discretionary purpose, such as tourism, recreation or entertainment.

If You Are Coming to Canada for Work:

Travelling from the United States (U.S.):

Foreign nationals seeking to enter Canada from the U.S. must:

1. Not display symptoms of COVID-19; and
2. Must be able to demonstrate that they can meet the requirement to quarantine under the Minimizing the Risk of Exposure to COVID-19 in Canada Order (Mandatory Isolation), No. 2; and
3. Not be travelling for an optional or discretionary purpose, such as tourism, recreation or entertainment.

If you meet conditions 1 and 2, the purpose of your travel will be considered non-optional or non-discretionary if:

Your place of habitual residence is in Canada and you hold a valid work permit; or

You are coming to Canada for the first time to begin your employment and are in possession of a valid work permit or a work permit approval letter, and have proof of employment at a Canadian business which is operating; or

You do not have a valid work permit or an approval letter but are eligible to apply for a work permit at a port of entry pursuant to section 198 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations and have proof of employment at a Canadian business which is operating.

Travelling from a Country Other than the U.S.

Foreign nationals seeking to enter Canada from a country other than the U.S. must:

1. Not display symptoms of COVID-19; and
2. Qualify for an exemption listed in section 3(1) of the Minimizing the Risk of Exposure to COVID-19 in Canada Order (Prohibition of Entry into Canada from any Country other than the United States); and
3. Not be travelling for an optional or discretionary purpose, such as tourism, recreation or entertainment.

If you meet conditions 1 and 2, the purpose of your travel will be considered non-optional or non-discretionary if:

Your place of habitual residence is in Canada and you hold a valid work permit; or

You are coming to Canada for the first time to begin your employment and are in possession of a valid work permit or a work permit approval letter, and have proof of employment at a Canadian business which is operating.

It should also be noted that in accordance with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) program delivery guidelines, work permit applicants travelling to Canada from a country other than the U.S. must have approval from IRCC prior to travel. If you are travelling from a country other than the U.S., you will not be permitted to make an application for a work permit at the port of entry.

If you are flying to Canada, you can expect that your airline agent will conduct a health check to ensure that you are healthy enough to fly. In addition, the airline agent may also ask that you provide proof of your eligibility to travel and that you meet all conditions for travelling to Canada set out above. Failure to do so may result in the airline not permitting you to travel.

Attorney Henry Moyal is a certified and licensed immigration lawyer in Toronto, Ontario.

The above article is general advice only and is not intended to act as a legal document.

Send questions to Attorney Moyal by email canada@moyal.com  or call 416 733 3193

WILL CANADA IMMIGRATION SUSPEND VISA PROCESSING DURING PANDEMIC?

So far the answer is no. Canada Immigration is still processing applications despite closure of their physical offices.

However, south of the border is a different story. On June 22, 2020, President Trump issued a proclamation barring many categories of foreign workers and curbing immigration visas through to Dec 31 2020, to protect U.S. workers reeling from job losses amid the coronavirus pandemic. The measures will apply only to new applicants seeking to come to the United States.

Many companies in the technology sector, landscaping services and the forestry industry will suffer greatly. It excludes agricultural laborers, health-care professionals supporting the pandemic response and food-service employees. The freeze announced Monday will apply to the H1-B visa category for highly skilled workers, the H-4 visa for their spouses and the L visas companies use to transfer international employees into the United States.

Henry Moyal, Barrister & Solicitor
8 Finch Ave. West,
Toronto, Ontario
M2N 6L1  Canada

Tel: 416 733 3193
Fax: 416 733 3742

canada@moyal.com

www.moyal.com

Immigration Newsweek

By Atty. Henry Moyal

1. I’ve been working at a farm in Canada and I want to become an immigrant. I do not have high education and I do not have any relatives in Canada. My occupation is not a trade. I seem to be stuck and ineligible for all current programs. How can I become a permanent resident?
2. You are correct. Qualified agricultural workers who cannot fit into the current express entry programs ( federal skilled, registered trade for example) seem to have been forgotten and fallen through the cracks.

It seems Canada Immigration has been listening to the needs of the industry and this month will help address the labour needs of the Canadian agri-food sector, particularly in year–round mushroom and greenhouse crop production, meat processing and livestock raising industries. The new program is for applicants who have at least one year of work experience in Canada in one of the following nine occupations:

• NOC B 6331 – Retail butchers
• NOC C 9462 – Industrial butchers
• NOC B 8252 – Farm supervisors and specialized livestock workers
• NOC D 9617 – Food processing labourers

• NOC B 8252 – Farm supervisors and specialized livestock workers
• NOC C 8431 – General farm workers
• NOC D 8611 – Harvesting labourers

• NOC B 8252 – Farm supervisors and specialized livestock workers
• NOC C 8431 – General farm workers

Applicants do not need a college diploma or university degree. Applicants only require high school education, a job offer and a modest level of English proficiency.

1. I have applied for permanent residence under express entry. My score is over 400 but still not high enough to be selected. My sister lives in Vancouver and just had a baby and needs help as she has three boys. Can she sponsor me under the new caregiver program? Do I need to cancel my express entry application to do that? Can I apply for the caregiver application while I am in Canada?

1. There are several issues here. First, can you apply for both the express entry application and caregiver pilot at the same time? Yes.

Can your sister provide the requisite job offer? Yes but there are other factors. Canada Immigration cannot refuse the application on the sole basis that she is your sister. That is not valid. However, if Canada Immigration feels that your sister is offering the job solely to assist you with your immigration application it will be refused as Canada Immigration will determine that the job offer was not genuine. You have stated that your sister has three children? The ages may matter. As well, how was she handling caregiver needs up to now? Does she have sufficient income to pay the wages for a caregiver? Is your sister married or a single mom? All these factors will play part in determining if the job offer will be considered to be valid.

If it is , the you will be issued an open work permit for 36 months. However, the next issue is where will the work permit be issued?

Only the following persons can obtain a work permit in Canada and file in-Canada application while currently in Canada:

• have a valid study or work permit, are on implied status or eligible for restoration
• your spouse, common-law partner or parents have a valid study or work permit
• you’ve graduated from a program at a:
  • Canadian university
  • community college
  • publicly funded trade/technical school
• you have a temporary resident permit that is valid for 6 months or more
• you’re allowed to work in Canada without a work permit but you need a work permit to work in a different job

Attorney Henry Moyal is a certified and licensed immigration lawyer in Toronto, Ontario.
The above article is general advice only and is not intended to act as a legal document.
Send questions to Attorney Moyal by email canada@moyal.com or call 416 733 3193

Immigration Newsweek

By Atty. Henry Moyal

1. I obtained an offer of employment to work in Canada. The employer obtained the required LMIA and I applied for the work permit at the Canadian Embassy. I was ready to return back to Canada until surprisingly I received a refusal letter indicating that I may be banned for 5 years due to misrepresenting a material fact. The letter says that I did not indicate on the form that I was refused a US Visa in the past. I have obtained visas to Canada before and this was mentioned so it is in their computer, right? I completely and innocently forgot to mention my USA visa refusal this time focussing more on my visa to work in Canada , not USA? What do I do now?

1. Perhaps coincidence, but I have seen an increase in the number of cases in which applications are being refused and the five-year ban implemented for relatively minor misrepresentations. I do not have exact statistics but it seems that Canada Immigration is enforcing the minor representations quite strictly. The most common misrepresentation is the failure to declare the refusal of a past U.S. visa application as in your case. Visa officers seem to have access to the U.S. database and routinely check this for inconsistencies with applications. As well, if an applicant applied previously and mentioned the refusal but later omitted it on a second application, that too can be a misrepresentation.

Unfortunately, the law says under section A40 that any material misrepresentation gets you a five year ban. But what if a person sincerely forgot and made an innocent mistake?

To answer this one must review the operations manual which has long recognized that honest and reasonable mistakes should not

necessarily lead to a severe finding of misrepresentation. The higher courts have adopted this and there are cases that have held that there are exceptions to the law

in particular, where previous U.S. immigration history was not disclosed.

In many cases, the exception has been applied to circumstances where the

information alleged to be omitted was otherwise correctly listed in other

parts of the application or in reviewing other documents submitted as part of the

application. This suggests that there was no intention to mislead.

Did you mention your USA refusal elsewhere? Was it part of a previous submission? Contact an immigration lawyer who will be able to research the case law and provide assistance on this delicate manner.

1. I came to Canada as a student. I graduated and I am now working under an open work permit ( post graduate). I believe I have sufficient points to be an immigrant on my own. However, I will be marrying my girlfriend next month.

She is willing to sponsor me. Can I submit two applications at the same time?

1. As you probably know, each application has its own specific criteria. While the first application requires you to prove you have English language skills and work experience the sponsorship does not. Conversely, the sponsorship require you to prove your marriage is genuine but the first one does not. Therefore, it depends on how you want to file your application. If you are ok with providing both sets of applications and paying two government fees, you can indeed send both simultaneously and wait and see which one is processed faster (and then withdraw the other).

Attorney Henry Moyal is a certified and licensed immigration lawyer in Toronto, Ontario.

The above article is general advice only and is not intended to act as a legal document.

Send questions to Attorney Moyal by email canada@moyal.com  or call 416 733 3193

Immigration Newsweek

By Atty. Henry Moyal

1. I recently started a new business. It is an agency with offices in Toronto and Montreal. I have lots of connections in Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia to bring in lots of caregivers and Home Support Workers under the new pilot program. The workers would be placed in private homes, nursing homes and governments institutions in Canada (wherever old people live who need Home Care).

Under the new home support worker pilot the NOC code is 4412 which states that the workers can be self-employed.

Can I submit an application under the Home Support Worker program where the workers will be employed in nursing homes?

1. Starting a new business can indeed be exciting and challenging. It is important to know the rules and regulations as it pertains to each province and when applying under the Immigration Refugee and Protection Act. The important ones include the following: In Ontario, it is against the law to charge a fee to a worker for a job placement. In Quebec, the Regulation on Personnel Placement Agencies and Recruitment Agencies for Temporary Foreign Workerswhich came into force on January 1, 2020 requires personnel placement agencies and recruitment agency for temporary foreign workers in Quebec to file and obtain a license with the Commission des normes, de l’équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail (“CNESST”) to practice.

With regard to immigration law, you are correct that the applicable NOC for the Home Support Worker Pilot is NOC 4412 which states:

4412 – Home support workers, housekeepers and related occupations

Home support workers
provide personal care and companionship for seniors, persons with disabilities
and convalescent clients. Care is provided within the client’s residence, in
which the home support worker may also reside. They are employed by home care
and support agencies, private households, or they may be self-employed.
Housekeepers perform housekeeping and other home management duties in private
households and other non-institutional, residential settings.

However, under the pilot program the Home Support Worker must be employed by individuals and families – not agencies or Nursing Homes.

To clarify further, the intent of the Home Child Care Provider and Home Support Worker Pilots is to meet the needs of private individuals and families requiring full time care in their own home.

Group home settings, including retirement homes as well as daycares to do not qualify under the pilots as the place of work must be a private residence.

1. I came to Canada as a student. I completed my two year course but did not yet apply for a post graduate work permit. I want to do so but my study permit already expired. Do I need to have a valid study permit to apply for my open work permit? Some of my friends say yes and some say no. I’m confused.

1. It used to be that to get a Post Graduate Work Permit (PGWP), you had to have a valid study permit. That is no longer the case. While student status is no longer required to apply for a PGWP, study permit holders who do not apply for a PGWP or to change their status or leave Canada before their study permit expires would be in Canada without valid status. They would therefore need to apply for restoration prior to submitting a PGWP application from inside Canada.

In this situation, submit an application to restore status at the same time as an application for a PGWP.

Attorney Henry Moyal is a certified and licensed immigration lawyer in Toronto, Ontario.

The above article is general advice only and is not intended to act as a legal document.

Send questions to Attorney Moyal by email canada@moyal.com  or call 416 733 3193

Immigration Newsweek

By Atty. Henry Moyal

1. I came to Canada as a visitor. Soon after arrival, I looked for ways to remain permanently and become a permanent resident. I found a company who would hire me. This company told me that they had a consultant that would help with a job offer and apply via the Ontario PNP Program – Offer of Employment stream. I paid $10,000 to get the job offer approved. After three months Ontario PNP office approved the job offer and my permanent resident application was sent to CPC, Sydney for processing. It is still at CPC, Sydney. Then last week, out of the blue the company said they were downsizing and could not hire me. Do I need to tell the Ontario PNP office about this? Do I need to inform CPC, Sydney about this? What will happen to my application? I have a feeling I was taken advantage of and something fraudulent was being done.

1. I get the same feeling. You should visit the company regularly and contact them to see if indeed they are downsizing. Also, research online to see if they have a history of doing this to others. It is illegal to pay for a job offer so the $10,000 is illegal and exorbitant. It also seems odd that and “convenient” that the job offer was revoked after the PNP approval but before you became a PR. Unfortunately, you have a duty to inform both the Ontario PNP and CPC, Sydney of the revoked job offer which will likely result in a refusal. Even if you cannot prove something fraudulent has happened, you should file a claim in civil court and sue the companies you paid. It is important to understand that to prove fraud you are within the criminal domain where the burden of proof is beyond a reasonable doubt. On the other hand, the civil matter has a less onerous burden of proof which is the preponderance of the evidence.

In particular, a person who is charged with a crime may have their criminal charge withdrawn because the prosecution does not have sufficient evidence to convict ( knowing that he/she must prove the crime beyond a reasonable doubt). That does mean that the person did not commit the so called crime. It only means that courts cannot prove it. On the other hand, a civil trial will involve a lesser burden of proof where plaintiff must prove based on balance of possibilities that the damages occurred.

1. I’m a permanent resident of Canada. I have been living in Canada for over 5 years. My mother applied to come to visit me but was denied. In fact, she was banned for 5 years due to misrepresentation. My mother’s English language skills are weak and she hired an agent to help her complete the application. It seems that the agent did not truthfully answer some questions that has now resulted not only in a refusal but a long ban. What can we do?

1. This is a difficult situation because Canada Immigration will usually have little or no sympathy for applicants who hire incompetent representatives. In other words, Canada Immigration will not accept that your agent made a mistake as an excuse. The applicant (your mother) is responsible for the contents of her own application and is responsible for what she signed ( even though I understand that many times the agents prepare it all and just make one sign). In this particular case, the error was material and has resulted in a 5 year ban. I think the first plan of attack is to obtain a copy of the file and notes to get a better idea of the errors. Second, you should take steps to sue the representative in civil court for damages. It is important to keep in mind that criminal matters or immigration matters is one thing but there is always recourse in civil court for damages.

Attorney Henry Moyal is a certified and licensed immigration lawyer in Toronto, Ontario.
The above article is general advice only and is not intended to act as a legal document.
Send questions to Attorney Moyal by email canada@moyal.com or call 416 733 3193

Immigration Newsweek

By Atty. Henry Moyal

As of December 3, 2019, it seems that almost everyone requires to give Biometrics when submitting an application – regardless of what it is. At a fee of $85, the Canadian government is now requiring applicants to go to a designated Biometrics Collection centre to take photographs and fingerprints before any type of visa is issued. For many years, Biometrics were only required for applicants outside of Canada who wanted to come to Canada to live, visit, study or work. As well, the places where a person could actually do the Biometrics were only outside of Canada in certain offices.

Effective immediately, that has all changed. All applicants (unless exempt) must now set an appointment and pay the Biometrics fee and go to a designated office in Canada or outside of Canada to take photos and fingerprints.

In the past, visitors or workers who were in Canada were spared from additional requirements but from now on all visitor record extensions or study permit extensions or work permit extension applications from applicants inside of Canada must do Biometrics. As well, applicants applying for permanent residence ( for example inland spouse sponsorships) under the SCLP class must also do Biometrics.

It is worth noting that if you gave biometrics in the last 10 years for a visitor visa, work permit, or study permit and they’re still valid, you don’t have to give them again if you’re applying to visit, work, or study. Applicants who are not sure if their Biometrics are still valid can check by using the following link:

https://onlineservices-servicesenligne.cic.gc.ca/extapp/termsAndConditions?&lang=en

Finally, the following persons are exempt from Biometrics:

• Canadian citizens or permanent residents
• visa-exempt nationals coming to Canada to visit only
• children under the age of 14
• applicants over the age of 79
• heads of state and heads of government
• applicants who hold a diplomatic visa
• U.S. visa holders transiting through Canada

Attorney Henry Moyal is a certified and licensed immigration lawyer in Toronto, Ontario.

The above article is general advice only and is not intended to act as a legal document.

Send questions to Attorney Moyal by email canada@moyal.com  or call 416 733 3193

Immigration Newsweek

By Atty. Henry Moyal

Q. I entered Canada as visitor to visit my mother who was ill last year. I extended my stay once. I then applied for a work permit as I have an employer who is willing to hire me for a nursing position. I filed the application and completed my medical. Without notice or warning, I then received a procedural fairness letter from the Canadian Embassy in Manila stating that I have 30 days to reply to their letter as they believe I did not provide truthful answers on my application. The letter continues that my application will be refused as they suspect misrepresentation.

I have never lied on any application and I have no clue as to what they are referring to. How can I reply to a letter or explain my untruthful answers if I have no idea what question I did not answer truthfully?

A. It does sound like a mystery and is does sound like Canada Immigration is holding all the cards. It can indeed be frustrating when Canada Immigration accuses you of something when you have no idea what it is about. The good news is that Canada Immigration also must act in a procedurally fair manner and they cannot breach that. It is unreasonable for a person to reply to a procedural fairness letter within 30 days for something they know nothing about. Do not assume that Canada Immigration is always correct in what they do (although it can be a challenge to prove they were wrong) as some decisions are overturned in Federal Court and officers can make mistakes.

I have no knowledge of whether the letter sent to you was a mistake but before writing to back to the officer, I suggest speaking to your family and perhaps they was a past application that you forgot about and not disclosed on your current application. Also, look back at old applications and try to think of any reason why the Canadian Embassy is alleging misrepresentation.

If you still cannot decipher the mystery, write to the visa officer and request specifics of what they are accusing of. There are some cases in the Federal Court that are on your side.

In Mohammed v. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship the court held that “the Court is satisfied that the Officer breached procedural fairness. Visa officers have a duty to ensure that applicants have the opportunity to meaningfully participate in the application . In another case (Muliadi v Canada) the Federal Court of Appeal has also recognized the general assertion that an immigration officer’s duty to act fairly extends to letting “the immigrant know what his immediate impression is so that the immigrant can disabuse him and that there is a duty for immigration officials to inform applicants of their concerns.

Q. I came to Canada for the first time as a visitor last Dec 22, 2018 from the Philippines. They did not stamp my passport at the airport so I did not have official proof of my date of entry. I did not know when my status expired until I was talking to my friend in September 2019 who told me that I was only allowed to stay legally for 6 months ( which would have been June 22, 2019). After hearing that, I mailed in an application for restoration of status on September 17, 2019. It was received by immigration on September 25, 2019. I just received a refusal letter because I did not send in the application within 90 days of expiry and therefore not eligible for restoration.

A. Canada Immigration is wrong. From the dates in your letter, your status expired June 22, 2019. You then must file a restoration application within 90 days of expiry which means you had to file by September 20, 2019.

You have mentioned that you mailed the application on September 17, 2019 which is before September 20, 2019. If mailed, it is irrelevant when they received it. It is the postmark date from Canada Post that counts.

I suggest you take a copy of the refusal letter to a professional immigration lawyer for the appropriate action to contact Canada Immigration. It may have been an oversight but if the above dates are indeed accurate, Canada Immigration made a mistake.

Once they are aware of the error, it will likely be rectified.

Attorney Henry Moyal is a certified and licensed immigration lawyer in Toronto, Ontario.
The above article is general advice only and is not intended to act as a legal document.
Send questions to Attorney Moyal by email canada@moyal.com or call 416 733 3193

Immigration Newsweek

By Atty. Henry Moyal

Being inadmissible to Canada means you are not able to enter the country until a certain period of time passes or fulfilled certain conditions of entry. An applicant who is found to be inadmissible will be denied an ETA and/or denied entry to Canada and/or if in Canada will be removed. There are several ways by which a person can be found to be inadmissible under current immigration laws. For example:

• Security reasons, including espionage, violence or terrorism or membership in an organization involved human or international rights violations

• Committing a crime – this is often to referred to as criminally inadmissible and covers convictions that occur in Canada or outside of Canada. In some situations, even if a person was not convicted of a crime outside of Canada but the act is something that would be a crime in Canada – could render a person inadmissible.

If such situations, it would be important to perform an analysis between the foreign law and the Canadian law to find the equivalent Criminal Code provision. Once done a person would have to wait a certain time (called rehabilitation) in order to apply to enter Canada. If a person was convicted of a crime in Canada in most cases they would require a record suspension (pardon).

• Organized crime, including membership in an organization that takes part in organized criminal activity, people smuggling or money laundering

• Medical Inadmissibility – this includes medical conditions that:
  • endanger public health
  • endanger public safety or
  • causes excessive demand on health or social services

To be admissible an applicant must not have a condition that is a danger or risk to others and must not have a condition that is an excessive demand on health or social services. A visa officer will refuse an application if they reasonably believe that a person’s health condition might cause an excessive demand on health or social services in accordance with section 38(1)(c) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

An excessive demand on health or social services can mean two things. It can mean that the need for health services to treat your health condition would negatively affect medical service wait times in Canada. It can also mean that the services to treat and manage your health condition would likely cost more than 3 times the Canadian average for health and social services(per person.

The cost threshold is the average dollar amount that federal, provincial and territorial governments spend in a year on health and social services for Canadians and permanent residents.

In 2017, the excessive demand cost threshold was $33,275 over 5 years (or $6,655 per year).

In April of 2018, the cost threshold was $99,060 over 5 years (or $19,812 per year)

In 2019, the new cost threshold is $102,585 over 5 years (or $20,517 per year)

• Misrepresentation, which includes providing false information or withholding information directly related to decisions made under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA). A common example would be a person who does not tell the truth on an immigration application (even if minor). A finding of misrepresentation will usually come with a 5 year ban on entering Canada.

If you have concerns regarding any ground of inadmissibility, it is recommended to do the research and obtain the proper legal assistance from a qualified immigration lawyer before an application is submitted.

Attorney Henry Moyal is a certified and licensed immigration lawyer in Toronto, Ontario.
The above article is general advice only and is not intended to act as a legal document.
Send questions to Attorney Moyal by email canada@moyal.com or call 416 733 3193

Immigration Newsweek

By Atty. Henry Moyal

1. I arrived in Canada as a permanent resident of Canada. I was married to a Canadian Citizen who was living at the time in the Philippines.

Before I met by current husband I had a child with my old boyfriend. I never married that boyfriend and I was ashamed that I had a child out of wedlock. The child was being raised by the child’s paternal grandmother and I did not tell my husband about my child until recently. For obvious reasons, I did not declare that child on the sponsorship application. I was afraid that my husband would be upset and I figured that the child is living with the grandmother so why declare the child when it would not benefit me. I just received news that the grandmother is very ill. I now want to sponsor my child. Can I? Does the new program help me?

A.The law requires you to declare all family members whether accompanying or not. All applicants are expected to tell the truth regardless of whether it is beneficial or not. As you may have heard, the new “undeclared children” program that just started is now underway and in full force. It is exactly for the type of application you describe so it seems that you will be able to bring your child to Canada as long as the child is under 22 years of age and single.

1. I’m applying under the new Home Child Care Provider Pilot program. I have sufficient work in Canada but the guide is very confusing especially regarding funds required.

Do I need to provide any specific financial or income requirements before I can be approved for permanent residence?

Second, I do not have a bachelor degree and my educational assessment (ECA) is in process. What is the law on that educational level requirement?

1.  There is no specific proof of settlement funds eligibility requirement under the new Home Support Worker or Home Child Care Provider pilots.

However, all applicants for permanent residence are subject to a financial admissibility requirement, including caregivers. Under the Home Child Care Provider and Home Support Worker pilots the financial admissibility assessment is completed as part of the pre-assessment to permanent residence, before caregivers come to Canada. That being said, caregivers must continue to meet all admissibility requirements, including the financial admissibility requirement, at the time permanent residence is issued.

For your question on education, in order to qualify, the ECA report must show that your foreign education credential is equivalent to a Canadian educational credential of at least one year of post-secondary studies. Only completed foreign education credentials can count towards meeting this requirement.

1. I have worked in Canada for over one year after studying at a college in Toronto. I have been approved under express entry and I have been given 60 days to submit my application. Can I obtain an extension of time? I do not think I will be able to obtain the required documents on time? If no, what should I do?

1. There is no mechanism to ask for an extension of time. You can either upload an explanation letter or decline the invitation to apply (ITA). You have not mentioned your score. If your score is really high and will be selected in next draw anyway, you should consider to decline ITA and re-enter pool once you do have the documents.

Attorney Henry Moyal is a certified and licensed immigration lawyer in Toronto, Ontario.

The above article is general advice only and is not intended to act as a legal document.

Send questions to Attorney Moyal by email canada@moyal.com  or call 416 733 3193

Immigration Newsweek

By Atty. Henry Moyal

There is one area of immigration law that Canadian visa officers rarely have mercy – not declaring past common law relationships.

A review of the jurisprudence on this subject reveals that in most cases appeals are not successful and the applicant is refused entry to Canada.

In many cases, the applicants’ reasoning is that “common law” relationships are not recognized in their country or that they were not aware that living together was an important matter to declare. Both of these arguments have been unsuccessful in persuading an judge or visa officer primarily due to the fact that the applicants are applying for Canada – hence Canada law prevails and it is how Canada defines common law relationships. In other words, an applicant is applying to Canada so they must be aware of the laws to immigrate to this country. The law of the country of origin is not relevant.

Under Canadian Immigration law the definition of common law partner under section 1(1) IRPA ‘ is an individual who is cohabiting with the person in a conjugal relationship, having so cohabited for a period of at least one year.’

Therefore, if an applicant has been living with another in a “marriage like” relationship for at least one year that will trigger common law partner status. It should be noted that a person who is still legally married to another person can still be in a common law relationship.

The most typical scenario in which this causes havoc is when an applicant (who is usually single) enters Canada as a worker or a dependant of a mother’s application. Then, the person returns to the Philippines and marries the applicant and the sponsorship application reveals that the couple were living together before the sponsor became a permanent resident. If so, the applicant will be refused under R117(9)(d) as that would constitute an excluded relationship since the common law relationship was not declared to Canada Immigration at the time the sponsor immigrated to Canada.

It is therefore crucial to understand what constitutes a common law union and what is not. While each case is different, the case law is clear that the following characteristics are integral and part of any common law relationship:

1. Living together as the same address for at least one year
2. Mutual commitment to a shared life
3. Exclusivity
4. Interdependent – physically, emotionally
5. Joining financial affairs

The list is not exhaustive and each situation must be reviewed separately. It is possible for example, to be living at the same address but not be in a common law relationship. The bottom line is that Canada Immigration is very quick to refuse applications when there is any evidence of past common law relationships that were not declared. The consequences can be extreme including an allegation of misrepresentation that comes with a five year ban.

Attorney Henry Moyal is a certified and licensed immigration lawyer in Toronto, Ontario.
The above article is general advice only and is not intended to act as a legal document.
Send questions to Attorney Moyal by email canada@moyal.com or call 416 733 3193

Immigration Newsweek

By Atty. Henry Moyal

In a surprising move, Canada Immigration has announced a new program that will actually reward people who are illegal in Canada and who are working illegally (in the construction industry). The program is set to open in January 2020 and will have a cap of only 500 applications. In an unprecedented move, the Federal Immigration Minister announced this week that permanent residence will be granted to applicants who entered Canada legally but then lost status and have remained in Canada with no status for at least five years. To qualify, applicants must have filed their taxes, lived in Canada for 5 years and have at least 3 years of work experience in the construction industry in the Toronto area.

Applicants with children or spouses in Canada ( regardless of the child or spouse’s immigration status) will be given first priority.

As far as this writer is concerned, this is the first time Canada Immigration is actually rewarding those who worked illegally and without a work permit.

No other past Federal Immigration Minister has been successful in pulling off this type of controversial law as many complained in the past that it was not fair to only grant permanent residence to illegal workers in the construction industry ( what about other occupations?). Similarly, many will not be happy that it is only for those who have worked in the GTA Toronto Economic Regions of City of Toronto, Durham Region, Halton Region, Peel Region, York Region ( what about other parts of Ontario? Or other parts of Canada?).

Nevertheless, the current program is open to applications starting January 2, 2020 as the construction industry in the GTA is facing significant labour shortages. According to Canada Immigration, a stable construction workforce will help ensure that housing and infrastructure projects are delivered. Reports indicate that this workforce has been supported for many years, in part, by long-term residents who have fallen out of immigration status and are operating in the underground economy.

The new program therefore seeks to regularize these individuals who have been contributing to the Canadian economy by filling a regional labour market need.

In another announcement this week, Canada Immigration has announced the Agri-Food Immigration Pilot that will grant permanent residence for workers in the meat processing and mushroom production fields.

In the past, such workers were considered low skill and had no direct pathway for permanent residence. However, now 2750 foreign workers a year will be granted permanent residence.

The occupations and industries eligible under the new Agri-Food Immigration Pilot include:

• meat processing
  • retail butcher
  • industrial butcher
  • food processing labourer
• harvesting labourer for year-round mushroom production and greenhouse crop production
• general farm worker for year-round mushroom production, greenhouse crop production, or livestock raising
• farm supervisor and specialized livestock worker for meat processing, year-round mushroom production, greenhouse crop production or livestock raising.

The eligibility requirements for the Agri-Food Immigration Pilot are:

• 12-months of full-time, legal and authorized non-seasonal Canadian work experience in an eligible occupation in processing meat products, raising livestock, or growing mushrooms or greenhouse crops;
• high school education or greater;
• job offer for full-time, non-seasonal work in Canada

Attorney Henry Moyal is a certified and licensed immigration lawyer in Toronto, Ontario.

The above article is general advice only and is not intended to act as a legal document.

Send questions to Attorney Moyal by email canada@moyal.com  or call 416 733 3193

Immigration Newsweek

By Atty. Henry Moyal

The vast majority of applicants and inquiries to Canada pertain to economic immigration that include professional workers and highly educated applicants. Such trends make sense given that the labour force worldwide is made of skilled workers who contribute greatly to the Canadian economy. However, there is a subset of immigrant applicants that many are not too knowledgeable about  – business immigration.

In this light, the province of Ontario has announced an entrepreneur program to attract qualified persons to start businesses in Ontario. Effective July 9, 2019 Ontario has reduced the threshold of investment needed from $1 million to $600,000 in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). If the business is destined to an area outside GTA, the amount is further lowered from $500,000 to only $200,000 now. These important changes are to ensure Ontario is attracting the best businesses and entrepreneurs.

The following are the requirements to immigrate as an entrepreneur:

• To qualify under the Entrepreneur Stream, you must have a viable business that is likely to provide economic benefit to the economy of Ontario as a whole or to the local Ontario economy where the business will be located.

• You must have at least 24 months of full-time business experience in the last 60 months.

• Within the Greater Toronto Area, you must have a minimum net worth of 800,000 CDN.

• Outside of the Greater Toronto Area you must have a minimum net worth of $400,000 CDN.

• Within the Greater Toronto Area, you must make a minimum personal investment of $600,000 CDN and control at least one-third of the equity in the business

• Outside of the Greater Toronto Area, you must make a minimum personal investment of $200,000 CDN and control at least one-third of the equity in the business

7) You must be actively involved, on an ongoing basis, in the management of the business.

8) The primary purpose of investing capital in the business must be to make a profit.

9) If the business will be located inside the Greater Toronto Area, you must create at least two permanent full-time jobs for Canadian citizens or permanent residents.

10 ) If the business will be located outside the Greater Toronto Area you must create at least one permanent full-time job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.

11) Your business must be permanent. Project-based and seasonal businesses are not eligible.

12) You must maintain a place of business in Ontario at all times.

13) Ineligible types of businesses. The following businesses are not eligible:

• automated car wash business
• holding companies
• laundromats
• pawnbrokers
• pay day loan and related businesses
• scrap metal recycling
• tire recycling
• a business involved in producing, distributing or selling pornography or sexually explicit products or services, or providing sexually oriented services
• businesses which have been previously owned/operated by current or former Ontario business nominee

14) If the proposed business will be located in the Greater Toronto Area, the following types are also ineligible.

• existing franchises in Ontario (new foreign franchises expanding into Ontario are permitted)
• gas stations
• bed and breakfasts

Attorney Henry Moyal is a certified and licensed immigration lawyer in Toronto, Ontario.
The above article is general advice only and is not intended to act as a legal document.
Send questions to Attorney Moyal by email canada@moyal.com or call 416 733 3193

Immigration Newsweek

By Atty. Henry Moyal

Effective June 18, 2019, Canadian employers will no longer require the notorious LMIA ( Labour Market Impact Assessments) from Service Canada to hire a caregiver. This is a monumental change in policy by Canada Immigration.

As of today, Canada Immigration has announced two new programs that will make it easier for caregivers to become permanent residents and will be issued “occupation specific” work permits and not “employer specific” work permits from overseas.

In particular, the two new programs will be called “ The Home Child Care Provider Program” and “The Home Support Worker Program” which replaces the expiring Caring for Children and Caring for People with High Medical Needs categories.

The way it will work is that a worker who has a job offer in Canada will apply for permanent residence AND a work permit all at the same time from abroad. As well, the applicant’s spouse and children will also be able to obtain work / study visas at the same time and enter Canada with the caregiver. This is a welcome and big change from previous immigration laws that forced workers to come to Canada to work and leave family members behind often resulting in children being left alone or spouse separated for years until the worker obtain permanent residence.

Caregivers will obtain a “occupation specific” work permit to come to Canada. After working for 2 years, they will then notify Canada Immigration who will then finalize the permanent resident application.

These new pilots provide caregivers from abroad and their families with a clear, direct pathway to permanent residence and will be able to become permanent residents quickly.

In brief, to qualify for either of the two programs applicants must still have a job offer ( NO LMIA) and prove  proof of education, language and police clearances.

It is also important to note that:

• The Caring for Children and Caring for People with High Medical Needs categories will expire and close to new applications on June 18, 2019. Caregivers who have applied before this date will continue to have their applications processed through to a final decision.
• Caregivers who have been working toward applying to the soon-to-be-expired pilots can now apply through either the Home Child Care Provider Pilot or the Home Support Worker Pilot.
• Caregivers who are in Canada and have met the 24 month work experience required can apply under the new programs immediately and no job offer is required.
• Caregivers who are currently in Canada with some work experience (but not 24 months yet) can still apply under the new programs now and fall under same program as applicants from abroad

Attorney Henry Moyal is a certified and licensed immigration lawyer in Toronto, Ontario.

The above article is general advice only and is not intended to act as a legal document.

Send questions to Attorney Moyal by email canada@moyal.com  or call 416 733 3193

Immigration Newsweek

By Atty. Henry Moyal

• ELIMINATION OF PAPER BASED APPLICATION

Years ago Canada Immigration implemented a portal system that permitted applicants to submit certain applications online and to monitor applications including updates. Applicants were however given the option to submit their applications by mail in paper based format. Effective June 4, 2019 Canada Immigration changed the rules and have demanded that foreign nationals who are in Canada as visitor, worker or student and are seeking to extend their status must apply by electronic means only. Specifically, all of the following applications must be filed online by uploading documents with a scanner:

• applications for extensions for visitor status made from within Canada
• applications for study or work permits made from within Canada
• applications for renewals of study or work permits made from within Canada

The beauty and complexity of Immigration law is the way regulations and policies can change almost on a monthly basis. This week several changes were announced and are quite monumental despite the low key coverage it has garnered. The following two changes have been in the works for a long time and only now have they surfaced to the forefront.

• NON DECLARED FAMILY MEMBERS – SECTION 117(9)(D)

The infamous Section 117(9)(d) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) has been a thorn in the side of many applicants and lawyers who viewed it as too harsh. It stated that non-declared family members who were not part of a sponsor’s original application could never be sponsored in the future and rendered family members ( for example spouses and children) ineligible and “not part of the family class”. Furthermore, by not being part of the “family class” prevented any right of appeal to the Immigration Appeal Division.

However, starting soon, sponsorship applications for family members who were previously banned from obtaining permanent residence under Canada’s Immigration laws will now be allowed to be sponsored under a new two-year pilot program starting September 9, 2019.

In a brave move, Ahmed Hussen, the Federal Immigration Minister, announced that applicants will now be able to sponsor non-accompanying family members who were not declared and therefore were not examined by immigration authorities when the sponsor applied for Canadian permanent residence.

The pilot program will start in September 2019 and run for two years. It is not yet known whether quotas will be set for the number of applications accepted.

Attorney Henry Moyal is a certified and licensed immigration lawyer in Toronto, Ontario.

The above article is general advice only and is not intended to act as a legal document.

Send questions to Attorney Moyal by email canada@moyal.com  or call 416 733 3193

UNDECLARED FAMILY MEMBERS CAN NOW BE SPONSORED

Sponsorship applications for family members who were previously banned from obtaining permanent residence under Canada’s Immigration laws will now be allowed to be sponsored under a new two-year pilot program starting September 9, 2019.

In a monumental move, Ahmed Hussen, the Federal Immigration Minister, announced that applicants will now be able to sponsor non-accompanying family members who were not declared and therefore were not examined by immigration authorities when the sponsor applied for Canadian permanent residence.

The root of the problem was Section 117(9)(d) of Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations

that rendered family members ( for example spouses and children) ineligible and “not part of the family class” if they were not declared at the start.

The implementation of Section 117(9)(d) which was enacted several years ago was regarded as very harsh and thousands of applicants have been denied bringing their children and spouses over the years due to this law.

The new program will run from September 9, 2019 to September 9, 2021.

Henry Moyal, Immigration Lawyer

www.moyal.com

416 733 3193

Immigration Newsweek

By Atty. Henry Moyal

Applicants living in the Philippines ( or China, India and Vietnam) who want to study in Canada will now be eligible under a new program called the Student Direct Stream (SDS) which will expedite visas and process student visas in 20 days.

As of May 1, 2019 SDS applications are being centralized and processed by the Centralized Network (CN) and require that applicants submit applications online. Applicants who file a paper application or applicants who are physically in Canada at time of application are not eligible.

To be eligible all applicant must provide the following top ten items:

1. Proof of a valid English test result, completed within 2 years of the date the SDS application was received, showing an IELTS score of 6.0 or higher in each language skill: listening, reading, writing and speaking

2. Proof of a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) of CAN $10,000 or more from any bank insured by the Canadian Deposit Insurance Corporation (CDIC).

The GIC must meet the following criteria:

1. • When the GIC has been purchased, the bank provides a letter of attestation, the GIC certificate, the Investment Directions Confirmation or the Investment Balance Confirmation to the applicant.
   • The bank holds the funds in an investment account or a student account that is inaccessible for release to the applicant until the applicant’s arrival in Canada.
   • Upon entry to Canada, the bank must validate the client’s identity before releasing funds to the study permit holder.
   • The applicant receives an initial disbursement upon identifying themselves, and the remaining funds are disbursed in monthly or bi-monthly installments over a period of 10 to 12 months.

3. Proof of full payment of tuition for their first year of study

This may be in the form of the following:

1. • a receipt from the school
   • an official letter from the school confirming payment of tuition fees
   • a receipt from a bank showing that tuition fees have been paid to the school
   • proof that the tuition fee amount has been transferred into a repository account at the school to be applied to the tuition bill at a later date

4. Letter of acceptance from a post-secondary institution
5. Proof of completion of upfront medical examination from a panel physician
6. Application for Study Permit Made Outside Canada form

7. Family Information form
8. Application processing fee payment and biometric processing fee payment
9. Birth Certificate

10.Photocopy of Passport

Attorney Henry Moyal is a certified and licensed immigration lawyer in Toronto, Ontario.

The above article is general advice only and is not intended to act as a legal document.

Send questions to Attorney Moyal by email canada@moyal.com  or call 416 733 3193