Law

Regulatory Updates on Student Visas and Parole Programs

Major updates in May 2025 impact student visas as DHS and DOS implement new policies affecting F, M, and J visa holders.

Supreme Court pauses ruling that blocked termination of TPS for Venezuela

On 19 May 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court paused a lower court ruling that temporarily blocked ending Venezuela's TPS designation.

Department of Homeland Security announces termination of Temporary Protected Status for Afghanistan

On 12 May 2025, DHS announced the termination of Afghanistan’s Temporary Protected Status designation.

Department of State revokes student visas and Department of Homeland Security terminates Student and Exchange Visitor Information System records

Students who remain in the United States after visa revocation and SEVIS record termination may not continue working and may be subject to removal.

USCIS completes FY 2026 H-1B cap initial registration selection process

USCIS wraps up FY 2026 H-1B cap lottery registration, paving the way for employers and foreign nationals to secure H-1B classification in the US.

DHS announces termination of parole programs for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans

DHS announces the termination of parole for nationals from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela effective 24 April 2025 unless individually extended.

United States government 2025 Travel Guide

Foreign nationals face increased scrutiny when entering the U.S. Ensure your travel documents are valid. Review entry requirements.

United States government to suffer lapse in funding on 15 March

Funding for the United States government is set to lapse on March 15, impacting various immigration processes.

New DHS registration requirement impacts certain Canadian nationals travelling to the United States

The DHS has released a new registration form for foreign nationals, impacting Canadians traveling to the U.S. Dual citizens are exempt with proof.

USCIS states registration requirement for foreign nationals

On January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump issued an Executive Order to safeguard national security through stricter enforcement of immigration laws.

USCIS announces FY2026 H-1B cap registration period

USCIS has announced that the initial registration period for the fiscal year will run from March 7 to 24, 2025.

Executive Order announces additional measures to combat antisemitism with a focus on US college campuses

On January 29, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order (EO) to intensify measures to combat antisemitism.

US Department of State announces changes to nonimmigrant visa interview waiver policy

Consular posts worldwide have updated criteria for nonimmigrant visa waivers, formalized by the U.S. Department of State.

President Trump takes office and issues a series of Executive Orders

President Donald Trump has issued a series of executive actions laying out his new policy and enforcement priorities, many of which impact immigrants.

Exchange Visitor Skills List

Department of State updated Exchange Visitor Skills List.

Employment Authorization Document renewals

Department of Homeland Security to permanently increase automatic extension period for Employment Authorization Document renewals.

Potential impacts to immigration and global mobility programs resulting from the 2024 US federal election

Former President Donald J. Trump was re-elected to a second term on 5 November 2024. As with the 2016 and 2020 election cycles, immigration was a significant issue during the campaign, and while most policy discussion centered on illegal immigration, significant change can be expected in the legal and employment-based immigration spaces in President Trump’s second administration.

Quebec suspends two key streams that lead to a Quebec Selection Certificate

Quebec suspends two key streams that lead to a Quebec Selection Certificate, reducing the number of new Permanent Residents destined to the province.

Canada to reduce number of new Permanent and Temporary Residents and further tightens the Temporary Foreign Worker Program

On 24 October 2024, the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (IRCC), announced the Government of Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan 2025-2027.

USCIS updates Policy Manual to reflect new guidance on EB-1 extraordinary ability criteria

USCIS updates Policy Manual to reflect new guidance on EB-1 extraordinary ability criteria.

Canada announces a Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot

Canada announces a Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot.

Canada announces further restrictions on temporary foreign worker hiring

Canada announces further restrictions on temporary foreign worker hiring.

Canada announces stringent measures for Temporary Foreign Worker Program

On 6 August 2024, the Government of Canada, through the Honorable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages, declared imminent changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP).

Government of Canada introduces legislation for citizenship by descent

The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (IRCC), has proposed legislation, referred to as Bill C-71, an Act to amend the Citizenship Act (2024) (Bill C-71) that would extend Canadian citizenship by descent beyond the first generation in a manner that is intended by the government to be both inclusive, while still safeguarding the integrity of Canadian citizenship.

Best practices to prepare a US immigration/global mobility program for potential policy and process shifts

How to prepare a US immigration/global mobility program for potential policy and process shifts.

USCIS issues guidance clarifying processes and requirements for expedite requests

On 21 March 2024, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) updated sections of its Policy Manual relating to expedite requests. The updated Policy Manual clarifies how USCIS considers expedite requests related to government interests, emergencies, and urgent humanitarian situations, including travel-related requests.

Canada bringing back visa requirements for Mexican nationals

Mexican citizens will now require a Canadian temporary resident visa for travel to Canada. Learn more.

New immigration stream under the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program

The Alberta provincial government announced the launch of a new immigration stream under the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP).

USCIS Issues Final Rule to Adjust Certain Immigration and Naturalization Fees

USCIS Issues Final Rule to Adjust Certain Immigration and Naturalization Fees. Learn more.

USCIS announces strengthened integrity measures for H-1B program

USCIS announces strengthened integrity measures for H-1B program. Learn more.

Canada announces changes to student work permits and implements a cap on international student admissions

The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (IRCC) has announced the implementation of a two-year cap on international student applications to stabilize the growth of the International Student Program for the next two years. As well, new limits on work permits issued to international students or their spouses have also been recently announced.

USCIS premium processing fees to increase in February 2024

United States Citizenship and Immigration Services premium processing fees to increase in February 2024.

Overview of key immigration updates for Québec

On 22 November 2023, the Ministry of Immigration, Francisation and Integration (MIFI) announced that beginning on 11 December 2023, employers can submit applications online for Quebec Acceptance Certificates (CAQ) and Validated Job Offers (VJO), via the ARRIMA platform. This platform is already in use for other types of applications. Electronic transmission will become mandatory as of 22 January 2024. An exemption will be maintained for certain sectors, such as the agricultural sector. Decisions will be issued electronically as well.

Government updates the Temporary Foreign Worker Program for LMIAs

The Canadian government has recently announced the extension of temporary measures and changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program Workforce Solutions Road Map that will be in place until 30 August 2024.

Executive Order on the development and use of Artificial Intelligence

Executive Order on the development and use of AI. Learn more.

Visa processing delays at the Canadian High Commission in India

On Thursday 19 October 2023, Minister Marc Miller, Canada’s Minister of Immigration, held a press conference to provide an update on the situation between Canada and India, specifically as it relates to immigration processing. Amid the ongoing diplomatic dispute between the two countries, the Canadian government has announced a reduction in staff at the Canadian visa office in New Delhi, which will in turn negatively impact processing times for visas being handled at that office. While continued processing of applications is reassuring, clients throughout the Canadian immigration process may start to experience delays throughout the various stages of the immigration process over the coming months.

Pilot program launches to streamline work permit processing for Canadian employers recruiting in the Philippines

On 19 October 2023, the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, the Honourable Marc Miller announced the launch of the CAN Work Philippines program – a pilot program aimed at streamlining the work permit processing for eligible Canadian employers recruiting in the Philippines.

Work authorization and travel program updates end fiscal year 2023 on a positive note

As part of its continuing commitment to reduce processing times and backlogs, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) announced on 27 September 2023 that new updates to its Policy Manual reflect that certain initial and renewal Employment Authorization Documents (“EADs”) will now carry a maximum validity period of five (5) years instead of two (2).

United States government set to suffer lapse in funding to begin fiscal year 2024

With just under a week before the federal government’s current funding will run out, the United States Congress appears no closer to authorizing more spending in order to avoid a partial shutdown.

USCIS issues policy guidance to clarify eligibility for Extraordinary Ability and Outstanding Professor or Researcher immigrant visa classifications

New USCIS policy guidance: Evaluating eligibility for Extraordinary Ability and Outstanding Professor or Researcher immigration visa classifications.

New Recognized Employer Pilot (REP) Program under the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program

The Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages, Randy Boissonnault has just announced the introduction of a Recognized Employer Pilot (REP) under the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program. This is a three-year initiative to help reduce administrative challenges for compliant employers to hire worker they need.

USCIS announces completion of second random selection from previously submitted FY 2024 H-1B cap registrations

On 31 July 2023, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it completed a second random H-1B selection from previously submitted electronic registrations for Fiscal Year (FY) 2024. All prospective petitioners with selected registrations from the second random selection will have had their myUSCIS accounts updated to include the new selection notice(s).

July 2023 updates for Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have announced an optional procedure as an alternative to the in-person physical examination of documentation required to complete the Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I-9). The optional procedure may be used by qualifying U.S. employers beginning 1 August 2023.

USCIS policy guidance on rescheduling biometrics services appointments

On 6 July 2023, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued policy guidance outlining procedures relating to requests to reschedule biometric services appointments. The policy guidance clarifies what constitutes good cause requests to reschedule a biometric services appointment.

Canada’s new Tech Talent Strategy

On 27 June 2023, the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced Canada’s new Tech Talent Strategy, which introduces new measures and improvements to existing programs aimed at attracting and retaining tech talent in Canada.

USCIS expands premium processing to change of status requests for applicants seeking F, M, or J status

On 12 June 2023, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it will be expanding premium processing for certain nonimmigrant visa applicants. Applicants filing Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status, to change to F-1, F-2, M-1, M-2, J-1, or J-2 nonimmigrant status will now be eligible for premium processing.

U.S. employers must ensure compliance with Form I-9 physical inspection requirements by 30 August 2023

Effective 31 July 2023, COVID-19 related flexibilities for employers completing Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I-9) procedures that have been in effect since March 2020 will sunset. A 4 May 2023 announcement from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) clarified that all employers who have been relying on these flexibilities in completing Form I-9 will have until 30 August 2023 to physically inspect and review employees’ identity and employment authorization documents and update their I-9s accordingly.