Immigration News: Canada Re-Opens Immigrant Investor Program
Legalpad (Deel Immigration)
Deel's in-house immigration support gets you worldwide visas hassle-free, enabling work from 30+ countries.
EHello Reader
Happy Thanksgiving! This week, Canada announced the upcoming reopening of the Quebec Immigrant Investor Program. Additionally, we explore Canada's remarkable achievement in attracting over 6,000 U.S. H-1B visa holders who sought refuge during layoffs, highlighting the nation's exceptional Tech Talent Strategy. Lastly, the U.S. Department of Labor is seeking public input to enhance employment-based permanent residence timelines by proposing to expand the list of occupations eligible for streamlined green card processing, with a special focus on STEM fields.
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As a reminder, Legalpad Notes will be taking a break next week for Thanksgiving!
Immigration Updates 📌
🎟️ Canada To Reopen Investor Program
Bonjour Quebec? Quebec's Immigrant Investor Program (QIIP) is set to make a grand return on January 1, 2024, unveiling a fresh set of criteria and requirements carefully crafted by the Ministry of Immigration, Francisation, and Integration.
Quebec has set its sights on welcoming approximately 50,000 new permanent residents in 2024, marking a remarkable 30% increase from the previous year's goal. These aspiring residents will be selected from various economic categories, encompassing skilled workers, investors, and entrepreneurs.
Quebec Immigrant Investor Program. The QIIP is the only investment-based immigration program in Canada that does not require the applicant to operate or manage a business in Quebec. Successful applicants and their families are granted a temporary stay in Quebec, allowing them to live, work, and study. Once they meet the minimum residency requirements, they can obtain a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ) to apply for permanent residence in Canada.
Under the new plan, foreign nationals in the Temporary Foreign Worker Program must demonstrate French proficiency at level 4 for work permit renewal. Permanent resident applicants (e.g., workers and graduates in the PEQ program) must continue to prove French proficiency at level 7. The changes aim to ensure French language proficiency, aligning with the government's commitment to preserving the French language in Quebec.
🇨🇦 Canada Nabs Tech Workers From The U.S.
Last month, over 6,000 U.S. H-1B visa holders finally arrived in Canada following massive layoffs that left high-skilled foreign H-1B holders in limbo. The H-1B program targets specialized foreign workers in tech and healthcare, with big tech companies sponsoring thousands of applicants each year. The program has become increasingly competitive since its creation in 1990, with only a fraction of eligible applications selected in the final drawing.
Layoffs earlier this year gave H-1B visa holders up to 60 days to find new sponsors or face deportation. Canada launched a pilot program offering up to 10,000 U.S. H-1B visa holders a three-year open work permit, and as of October, over 6,000 work permits have been issued. This program is part of Canada's Tech Talent Strategy, which aims to recruit top tech talent globally.
Canada's tech industry has experienced remarkable growth, surpassing the United States with a staggering 15.6% increase compared to their 11.4% growth rate. Not only that, but cities like Toronto and Vancouver have secured their positions among the top 10 tech hubs in North America. This surge of interest in Canada's H-1B application stream is a clear testament to its position as a leading global destination for exceptional international talent.
🔬 United States Will Seek Feedback for STEM Workers
The Department of Labor (DOL) has proposed expanding the list of occupations eligible for streamlined green card processing, known as "Schedule A," to include STEM-related and other occupations in short supply. This proposal is part of the recent Executive Order on AI and aims to reduce the timeline for attaining employment-based permanent residence.
Upon receiving clearance from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), the DOL will promptly publish the invitation for public comment in the Federal Register. Alongside this, a submission deadline for comments will be established.
As per the Executive Order on AI, the DOL is required to release the public input request no later than December 14. Following a thorough review of the valuable insights from the public, the DOL may subsequently introduce a proposed or interim final rule to amend Schedule A. This revision would then present an additional opportunity for the public to provide feedback on any proposed changes to Schedule A. We will keep you updated on this as more information rolls out.
Immigrant Entrepreneur Toolkit 🧰
💳 How To Obtain a U.S. SSN and Increase Your Credit Score
Wondering how to obtain a U.S. SSN and increase your credit score? Your SSN is essential for opening bank accounts, credit accounts, and applying for government benefits or insurance. As a recent immigrant, obtaining your SSN is the first step to establishing credit and opening up opportunities for owning a home and a car.
📚 EB1B Visa: A Comprehensive Guide for Employers & Employees
The EB1B is an advantageous employment-based immigrant petition for outstanding professors and researchers. It provides a quicker path to a green card by allowing applicants to skip the lengthy PERM labor certification process. The EB1B can be filed with premium processing, speeding up the processing time and putting applicants in the 1st preference category for green card filings.
🏧 A Complete Guide to Money Management for Digital Nomads
Worried about the financial risks of working remotely from abroad? Explore tips on money management for digital nomads, from budgeting to global banking.
Entrepreneur Immigrant Resources 🌎
We break down the news & resources you may have missed from across the globe
Global Immigration Tips & News 🛂:
Article: Updates for Filing Location for Premium Processing Requests
Article: Bolivians Are Now Eligible to Apply for Temporary US Work Visas
Article: Ask Sophie: What should we know about the next H-1B lottery?
Article: One Million International Students Contributed $40 Billion To U.S. Economy
Startup Tips, Grants, & News: 📈:
Events & Webinars 🎙️
🌉 Community Meetups are Coming to San Francisco!
Join us for our first Deel Community Meetup in San Francisco!
What you can expect:
Networking with the local remote work community
Learning about new Deel features and updates
Collaborating with colleagues and friends
Great food, great drinks, and a great time
Can't wait to network? Join the USA Group Hub to continue connecting with other remote workers in your area.
Thursday, November 30 from 6:00 - 9:00 PM PST
Werqwise, 149 New Montgomery St 4th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105
🎯 Expand Your Startup in the U.S. With the L-1 Work Visa
Do you want to expand into the U.S. market and bring some existing employees with you while continuing your business operations in your home country?
If yes, then you’ll want to explore the L-1 visa.
This session will specifically focus on how startups can use an L-1 work visa. First, you can get an overview of L-1 visas and understand the different categories of the L-1 visa, such as L-1A, L-1B, and L-1A new office. We will also explain the qualification process and eligibility criteria for startups.
Wednesday, November 29th 2023 @ 10:00AM PST
Social Corner 🫨
Picture it, you just had the worst visa interview of your life.