Stewart Sharma Harsanyi Immigration Law Firm Blog

Immigration Update -Visitor to Work Permit from Within Canada

I discussed the recent IRCC announcement that visitors can apply for work permits from within Canada with Rishi Nagar, News Director of RedFM Calgary. This announcement has created quite the buzz in a number of communities. To be clear: this announcement simply allows visitors to apply for work permits on-line and while they are in Canada (instead of requiring them to apply to a visa office or run the gauntlet at the border). The prospective applicant still needs a LMIA and provide evidence that they can do the job. Remember, many NOC B jobs require proof of language proficiency. Also remember -the visitor visa application would have asked questions regarding employment history. It would be dangerous and foolhardy for an applicant to come up with relevant employment experience that contradicts the information provided in the prior application. “To be eligible, an applicant looking to benefit from this temporary public policy must: • have valid status in Canada as a visitor on the day they apply • have been in Canada on August 24, 2020 and remained in Canada • have a job offer • submit an application for an employer-specific work permit that is supported by a Labour Market Impact... Read more →

RedFM Interview with Rishi Nagar -COVID impacts on Immigration

It was great sitting down with my good friend Rishi Nagar and talking about immigration. For the past few months these discussions have been taking place over the phone/remotely. It's always different when you are in the studio or in person -there are any number of cues (verbal and non verbal) that are simply lost when interaction is over the phone and even via video (no matter the quality of the connection). Immigration is susceptible and has been susceptible to "fake news" for decades. Everyone has advice to give -but disappear when that same advice results in nuksan -or prejudice/loss to the person that followed it. Read more →