From Far and Wide Immigration Consultancy

For many international students , the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) is the crucial bridge between an academic journey and building a career in Canada. The PGWP is an open work permit that allows eligible international students who have graduated from a participating Canadian post-secondary institution to gain valuable Canadian work experience. This experience can be instrumental in supporting a future application for permanent residence in Canada, as many immigration programs value Canadian work experience. Type of Work Permit The PGWP is an open work permit . This means a PGWP holder is not tied to a specific employer and can work for almost any employer in Canada. The PGWP is also exempt from the requirement of obtaining a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) under LMIA exemption code C43. A PGWP can only be issued once in a lifetime. Timing and Validity An application for the PGWP must be submitted within 180 days of receiving confirmation of program completion (e.g., offici...

Canada's temporary residence landscape is as diverse as its population, encompassing students, workers, visitors, and individuals with unique circumstances. As the government announces plans to introduce targets for temporary residents, understanding the various categories becomes paramount. Categories of Temporary Residents Temporary residents in Canada are broadly classified into three primary categories: Visitors Individuals entering Canada for tourism, family visits , or other non-work or study-related purposes fall under this category.  Visitors typically either need a visitor visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to fly to, or transit through, a Canadian airport, depending on their citizenship. Visitors only need one or the other, not both.  Whether they hold visitor visas or eTAs, visitors contribute to Canada's cultural tapestry through their experiences and interactions. Temporary Resident Visas (TRVs)  These visas, also known as visitor visas, are ess...

Are you ready to embrace the freedom of being a digital nomad while enjoying the stunning landscapes and vibrant cities of Canada? Thanks to Canada's Tech Talent Strategy, the process of relocating as a digital nomad has never been more accessible. Here is how to make it happen seamlessly. What is a Digital Nomad? Before we dive into the Canadian adventure, let's understand who a digital nomad is. A digital nomad is someone with the flexibility to perform their job remotely from anywhere in the world. Digital nomads can be self-employed or working for a foreign employer. Important: as a digital nomad, you must be remunerated from outside of Canada! Wise is a great option to receive and spend money in various currencies. If you are working in Canada for a Canadian employer or Canadian clients, you need a valid work permit or work authorization. The Canadian Advantage Canada's immigration policies have embraced the digital nomad lifestyle, allowing individuals to...

In a recent news release, the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced pivotal changes to Canada's international student immigration system. The measures aim to address challenges posed by unsustainable growth, revenue-driven intakes by some institutions, and the resulting pressure on housing, healthcare, and other services.  International Student Permit Cap One of the key announcements is the introduction of an intake cap on international student permit applications for a two-year period. For 2025, the intake cap on study permits issued to international students was reducedc to 437,000 - down from 485,000 in 2024. The cap will then be stabilized for 2026 such that the number of study permits issued remains the same as 2025. Provinces and territories will have individual caps based on their population, leading to more significant reductions in areas experiencing unsustainable growth. However, study permit renewals, master's and doctor...

Background To finance its programs, the Government of Canada follows an approach where most of the costs are the responsibility of those who receive the services and benefit directly from them. To account for inflation, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced in 2017 that fees would be adjusted by the cumulative Consumer Price Index (CPI) annually. In accordance with the Service Fees Act (SFA), the application fees for foreign nationals applying to regain their status or return to Canada after being inadmissible will be adjusted for inflation on December 1, 2023.  This ensures that fees remain current and reflect the costs of delivering services, while the SFA improves the transparency, accountability and predictability of government service fees. These fees have been adjusted to account for the yearly rate of inflation since April 2018. Following the regular schedule, the next annual increase of inadmissibility fees is expected on December 1, 2024. What's the...

Canada has long been recognized as a welcoming destination for international students, offering world-class education and diverse cultural experiences. If you're considering studying in the True North, you'll need to obtain a study permit, a crucial document that allows you to pursue your educational dreams in Canada.  Applying for a Study Permit A study permit is a legal document issued by the Canadian government that authorizes foreign nationals to study at designated learning institutions (DLIs) in Canada. It's essential to note that not all foreign students need a study permit. Some exceptions apply, such as short-term courses or family members of foreign representatives to Canada.  The general steps of applying for a study permit are as follows: Obtain a letter of acceptance from a  DLI  in Canada. Create an account on the  Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website . Complete the study permit application and pay the required fee. Submit y...

Who, Where, When, What, Why - Understanding Immigration Medical Exams in Canada Immigrating to Canada involves both eligibility requirements for the respective program for temporary or permanent residence (PR) as well as admissibility to Canada. Undergoing a medical examination is required to determine if an applicant is medically admissible. Immigration medical exams are an essential part of the Canadian immigration process, ensuring the health and safety of both applicants and the Canadian public.  Who Needs a Medical Exam? Generally, individuals applying for permanent residence in Canada are required to undergo a medical examination. Some temporary residents, such as international students or workers , may also need a medical exam depending on their length of stay, type of application and work in Canada, and travel history. Medical exams can be required for temporary residents if they travelled in designated countries for a certain amount of time, if they are applying for a par...

Starting April 1, 2025, the federal government along with three Canadian provinces and territories are raising the minimum wage per hour. The Federal government along with other provinces and territories increased the minimum wage earlier this year. Time to have a look at the minimum wage across Canada! The following table shows the current minimum wage across Canada and its respective effective date: Province / Territory Current Minimum Wage Effective Date Federal $ 17.75 April 1, 2025 Alberta $ 15.00 October 1, 2018 British Columbia $ 17.85 June 1, 2025 Manitoba $ 15.80 October 1, 2024 New Brunswick $ 15.65 April 1, 2025 Newfoundland and Labrador $ 16.00 April 1, 2025 Northwest Territories $ 16.95 September 1, 2025 Nova Scotia $ 15.70 April 1, 2025 Nunavut $ 19.75 September 1, 2025 Ontario $ 17.20 October 1, 2024 Prince Edward Island $ 16.00 October 1, 2024 Quebec $ 16.10 May 1, 2025 Saskatchewan $ 15.00 October 1, 2024 Yukon $ 17.94 April 1...

Immigration minister Marc Miller has announced new restrictions for open work permits (OWP) in order to address labour shortages in Canada. Family members of foreign workers and international students in Canada are only eligible to apply for their own work permits in specific situations. Time to look at these options in more detail! Terminology Foreign nationals, who are neither citizens nor permanent residents of Canada, require a valid work permit to legally work in Canada. There are generally two options to obtain a work permit: the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), wherein the Canadian employer applies for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) in order to hire a foreign worker, and the International Mobility Program (IMP), which covers various exemptions that let employers hire a foreign worker without an LMIA. LMIA-based work permits and most LMIA-exempt work permits are employer specific. This means that the foreign national can only work for the employer named on thei...

What is maintained status? Foreign nationals that entered Canada legally  have temporary resident status. Temporary residents  must leave Canada at the end of their authorized period of stay . However, a temporary resident may apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to extend their period of authorized stay before it ends. In this case, they are considered to have legal status as a temporary resident d uring the processing period  and may still be able to study and/or work in Canada  until a decision is made on their application . This is known as maintained status (previously called implied status ). When do I need to apply? The date and time the application was received are important for determining if status is maintained. You can only benefit if the new application was submitted before the current status expired. For online applications, IRCC uses Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) around the world to ensure that time is equal for al...

In response to the situation in Ukraine, IRCC is taking steps to support Ukrainians and make it easier and faster for Canadian citizens, Canadian permanent residents and their immediate family members to return to Canada.  A dedicated Ukraine enquiries phone line was set up for clients in Canada and abroad: 613-321-4243, collect calls accepted. Clients contacting IRCC by WebForm should add the keyword “Ukraine2022” in their enquiry and they will prioritize their requests: https://secure.cic.gc.ca/enquiries-renseignements/canada-case-cas-eng.aspx  IRCC is implementing urgent processing of travel documents for Canadian citizens and permanent residents in Ukraine who do not have valid passports. They are prioritizing renewing work and study permits for Ukrainians currently in Canada, so those who receive a job offer can stay in Canada and start working while they wait for their work permit application to be processed. They are also prioritizing citizenship grant applications for ...