IMPORTANT NOTICE:

1. Greater Toronto Office Moving – New Premises effective 27 October 2003 (New contact info)

2. Minister Relaxes Criteria for Skilled Workers – New Opportunities for Immigration to Canada
A completely new Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Bill C-11) became law in Canada on June 28, 2002. Recently, on September 18, 2003, the Minister significantly relaxed the criteria under the new law to allow Skilled Worker category applicants to qualify with only 67 points. This has in effect “opened the door” for immigration to Canada for qualified Skilled Workers. See the Analysis for details.

3. Permanent Residents of Canada – December 31, 2002 Deadline for new PR Card
If you are currently a permanent resident of Canada, you should be aware of the new residency test and Permanent Resident Card provisions, as they directly affect you and your ability to travel and re-enter Canada as a permanent resident. The Government of Canada has set a deadline of December 31, 2003 after which Airlines will no longer accept paper Record of Landing documents as proof of Canadian permanent resident status. For those permanent residents who will be traveling internationally, it is wise to apply for and obtain the “PR Card” as soon as possible.

We have prepared an Analysis of the proposed regulations and what it could mean to you, and some suggestions. Please read it.

U.S A.

Canadian Permanent Residents and Commonwealth Citizens now require Visas
On March 18, 2003 the Department of Homeland Security announced that henceforth Canadian permanent residents who are Commonwealth citizens will require non-immigrant visas to visit the United States. Until now, an exemption from the visa requirement applied to Canadian permanent residents.

Post-September 11 Attack:
Latest U.S. BCIS Service Center Processing Times.

Latest State Department Visa Bulletin at:
http://www.travel.state.gov/visa_bulletin.html

RECENT PUBLICATIONS BY CHARLES W. PLEY:

The Door Creaks Open: The New Federal Immigrant Investor Program
Paper presented to the Law Society of Upper Canada and Canadian Bar Association Annual Immigration Law Symposium, October 2002, Osgoode Hall, Toronto

Immigration Solutions North of the Border – An Overview of Canadian Immigration Options
Fourth Annual AILA New York Chapter Immigration Law Symposium,
December 10, 2001, New York Marriott Marquis Hotel, New York, NY.

Canada’s Federal Immigrant Investor Program – Salvation or Sell-out?
13 Immigration and Citizenship Bulletin, # 4 (August 2001), Canada Law Book Inc.