Canada Announces Major Changes to Immigration System
December 18, 2024 Amritpal Kaur
On December 17, 2024, Canada’s Immigration Minister, Marc Miller, introduced important changes to improve the country’s immigration system. These reforms are aimed at making the process fairer, more efficient, and more secure for everyone.
End of Flagpoling
One of the biggest changes is the end of flagpoling. Flagpoling happens when temporary residents leave Canada and re-enter just to quickly handle immigration matters at the border. This practice will no longer be allowed. Instead, people will need to apply online to extend their stay in Canada. This change will help reduce border congestion and make things run more smoothly.
Tackling Immigration Fraud
The government is also taking stronger action against immigration fraud. The Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will now have more power to cancel or suspend visas if they find signs of fraud or security risks. This is meant to keep the system secure and trustworthy.
Changes to Express Entry
In the Express Entry system, Canada is removing extra points for Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) job offers. This change is designed to stop people from using job offers as a way to cheat the system and improve fairness for everyone applying.
Addressing Irregular Migration
Canada is also tightening its approach to irregular migration. The Safe Third Country Agreement, which requires refugees to claim asylum in the first safe country they enter, has been expanded to cover the entire border with the U.S. Since the changes, illegal crossings have dropped sharply. The government also introduced a partial visa requirement for Mexican nationals, leading to a 92% decrease in asylum claims from Mexico.
Stronger Border Security and International Cooperation
To strengthen border security, Canada is working closely with the United States and international partners. They’re improving information-sharing and focusing on tackling cross-border crimes. The government is also setting up systems to quickly address fraud on a large scale.
Promising Early Results
The results so far have been encouraging. Asylum claims from Mexico have dropped by 97%, and there’s been an 84% reduction in irregular crossings into the U.S. These reforms show that Canada is committed to maintaining a secure immigration system, while still providing opportunities for those who follow the proper steps.
In short, these changes are about making Canada’s immigration system safer, more efficient, and fairer for everyone involved.
If you have questions or need help regarding these major changes, our team of immigration experts is here for you.
Give us a call at 647-222-6795 or email us at info@zandbimmigration.ca, or amritpal@zandbimmigration.ca. You can also book an appointment directly on our website www.zandbimmigration.ca.
We’re here to help make the immigration process easier for you.