To attract high-skilled foreign workers, Canada launched a special work permit program targeting H-1B visa holders in the United States, particularly nationals of India and China. The Tech Talent Strategy

Continue Reading Canadian Government’s New Work Permit for Foreign Workers with H-1B Visas in the United States Meets Announced Target in 48 Hours

Immigration laws and policies have been the source of major debate throughout the last year in the United Kingdom, with pressure mounting as the next election approaches. Measures have been taken to reduce the amount of migration to the United Kingdom through the enactment of harsher laws and regulations to increase immigration compliance in the United Kingdom. Public leaders such as the Prime Minister have publicly stated their goals to reduce net migration to the country by 2015. The conservative party has pushed to enact a change to the European Union’s principle of free movement citing the concern many British citizens have that increased immigration into the United Kingdom has contributed to increased unemployment among the British youth.
Continue Reading New Survey Reveals United Kingdom Businesses Hiring Migrant Workers as Part of Rational Business Decisions

Over the last several years, the Canadian government has increased scrutiny on the activities of employers and foreign workers to ensure compliance with Canadian local and federal agreements regarding the hiring of temporary foreign workers. Instructions and amendments to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations were announced recently by the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) and Service Canada. These regulations further the goals of compliance requiring employers of foreign workers to provide evidence that they have complied with the terms and conditions of the positions offered to the foreign workers. These terms and conditions include abiding by the information provided regarding job title, job responsibilities, wages, job locations and working conditions.

The increased scrutiny and protectionist stance on the part of the Canadian government is similar to practices employed by both the United States and the United Kingdom, among others. Indeed, with increased activity involving companies transferring employees to the country under the improper visa classifications and/or without proper work authorization, it is no surprise that more countries are increasing scrutiny and enforcement to ensure compliance with local immigration laws. In particular, Canada has faced increased scrutiny within the restaurant industry. (For examples of recent immigration enforcement see the following: U.S., UK.)Continue Reading Global Immigration Series – Canada/U.S.: The World’s Longest Border is Creating Challenges for Business Travel