NO MORE FLAGPOLING: If you are from a non-visa requiring country, and needed to apply or obtain a new permit, you could just visit a Canada/USA land border to swing around the flagpole (Flagpoling). As of December 23, 2024, work and study permits will no longer be printed for flagpolers at the land crossings. Applications and renewals for work or study permits need to be submitted online, or you can consider flying outside of Canada/USA and back to get your permit upon arrival at the airport. In very limited circumstances, work and study permits may still be granted at a port of entry to Citizens and lawful Permanent Residents of the USA; Professionals and technicians under free trade agreements with the United States/Mexico, Chile, Panama, Peru, Colombia and South Korea; Spouses or common law partners of professionals and technicians under free trade agreements with Panama, Colombia and South Korea; International truck drivers who hold a work permit, where required to depart Canada for the purpose of their employment and held maintained status as a result of applying for renewal prior to departure; and individuals who have a pre-existing appointment booked with the CBSA for permit processing.
LIMITED SPOUSAL OPEN WORK PERMITS: Effective January 21, 2025, only spouses of certain international students and foreign workers will be able to apply for a SOWP (now called a Family Open Work Permit). SPOUSES OF STUDENTS: Family OWPs will be limited to spouses of international students who are enrolled in master’s programs that are 16 months or longer, doctoral programs, or select professional and eligible programs. SPOUSES OF WORKERS: Children of workers/students are no longer eligible. The primary applicant’s work permit must be valid for 16 months or more, and they must be working in a TEER/NOC 0 or 1 job. There are exemptions for those in Canada under a Free-Trade Agreement and for certain TEER 2 or 3 occupations in sectors with labour shortages. View full list of NOC Codes here.
Now take a deep breath…..there is some good news and other options
Spousal and Common-law sponsorship in Canada - no changes! Still a great option!
BC PNP - new categories so that you only compete with others that graduated at the same levels as you did.
Citizenship - no changes!
French speakers - more programs and opportunities for French-speakers to get temporary or permanent residency (for example, an LMIA Exemption Code C16 Francophone Work permit)
Immigration focus will be on those already in Canada studying and working.
BC PNP Entrepreneur program is now permanent for those wanting to open businesses in a small city or town in BC.
Don’t forget there are still lots of LMIA-exemption codes that you may be eligible to apply for.
International Experience Canada (IEC) - no changes! Depending on your country of citizenship, you may be eligible to participate in IEC again, or even get a repeat IEC from a Recognized Organization.
There are lots of different streams under Provincial Nominee programs in other Provinces that lead to PR.
Remember….Canada still needs skilled workers. Work permits and Permanent Residency are still possible, just more competitive.
Will these changes affect me?
If you want to discuss any of these changes in relation to your personal immigration strategy, please book a consultation with CanStart Immigration.
Cost?
If you are a current client under contract please book a call with us directly via email. This call would be included in your retainer agreement.
If you are not a current client, we are offering a 25% discount for consultations to discuss your 2025 strategy. Use the code change2025 (1 person) or change25(couple) when you book your consultation online.
Look out for future emails from CanStart Immigration regarding any further changes to Immigration in 2025. Please feel free to forward this email to any friends or family who may also be impacted by the changes
