Canada Border Services Agency needs to develop a new biometric strategy

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has an urgent need to hire a global technology company to develop a new biometric strategy in response to rapidly evolving issues including COVID-19. The CBSA invited 15 firms to submit proposals for immediately setting up an Office of Biometrics and Identity Management. Biometric information is a unique identifier and is considered useful in managing the passage of people across borders. Canada's border agency's establishment of a proactive and systematic approach to the adoption of more biometrics at the border, in the form of a new office shows the Government's effective response to the changing environment. #Biometrics, #CBSA   https://www.cp24.com/news/canada-s-border-agency-urgently-developing-biometric-plans-in-response-to-covid-19-1.5460533#:~:text=OTTAWA%20-%20Canada%27s%20border%20agency%20has%20an%20%E2%80%9Curgent,in%20response%20to%20rapidly%20evolving%20issues%20including%20COVID-19.

Canada announced 2 immigration pathways for Hongkongers

On June 8, 2021, the Government of Canada announced 2 new permanent residence pathways for Hong Kong residents. The new pathway came into force on June 1, 2021, and will be in place until August 31, 2026. Hongkongers who have educational credentials at a post-secondary designated learning institution, or those who have at least 1 year of full-time work experience in Canada in the last 3 years can apply through the new programs. Eligible Hong Kong residents in Canada must possess a valid temporary resident status, be in Canada both when they submit their application and when their permanent residence is granted as well as meet the specified language, education, work, and eligibility requirements. #PR, #Hong_Kong, #Hong_Kongers https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/2021/06/minister-mendicino-announces-opening-of-2-new-pathways-to-permanent-residence-for-hong-kong-residents.html

Permanent residents with expired PR cards struggle to enter Canada

In Canada, permanent residents are required to meet residency obligations in order to renew their PR cards. According to Section 23 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, a permanent resident must be physically present in Canada for at least 730 days (2 years) in every 5-year period. Currently, many permanent residents, especially parents/grandparents who are outside Canada stuck in other countries, and their PR cards have expired. Since permanent residents are required to have a valid PR card to enter Canada, those whose PR cards are expired will have to apply for a travel document to come to Canada. It is still questionable whether they can be eligible to be exempted from the residency obligations. #PR, #Permanent_residence https://www.cic.gc.ca/English/helpcentre/answer.asp?qnum=1456&top=10

Canada introduced program delivery update for healthcare workers permanent residence pathway

On June 2, 2021, the Government of Canada introduced the COVID-19 program delivery update for the Healthcare workers permanent residence pathway. The Government updated the instructions to add information related to the Ministerial stay of removal pursuant to paragraph 50(e) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA). In addition, minor adjustments have been made to the guidelines for some aspects of application processing. These are preliminary review and triage; eligibility; admissibility; and making a final decision. This pathway is for eligible refugee claimants who provided direct patient health care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Applications will be accepted until August 31, 2021. #COVID_19,#Health_care_workers #Health_care_workers