From Evelyn and the Team at Ackah Business Immigration Law | | |
Immigration rules, programs and opportunities continue to evolve across Canada.
This month, we're highlighting changes that could affect temporary workers, entrepreneurs, employers and families looking toward Canada.
| | What Applicants Need to Know About the New CIT 0014 Checklist | | |
IRCC released an updated Document Checklist (CIT 0014) on June 16, 2026, placing greater emphasis on the quality, source, and reliability of documents submitted with proof of citizenship applications.
This update is especially relevant for individuals born outside Canada who are claiming citizenship through a Canadian parent, grandparent, or earlier ancestor. Every generation included in the application now needs to be supported by authentic, verifiable documents and applications cannot rely solely on third-party records. Documents should come from the original issuing authority wherever possible.
For applicants born outside Canada on or after December 15, 2025, where the Canadian parent was also born outside Canada, there is an added requirement to show the Canadian parent was physically present in Canada for at least 1,095 cumulative days before the applicant's birth.
If you are preparing a proof of citizenship application or unsure whether the new checklist affects your case — our team can help you assess your documents and build a strong submission before anything gets returned.
Read the full breakdown
| | New IRCC Policy | PNP Work Permits Can Now Be Processed Without an AOR | | |
Effective June 9, 2026, IRCC is temporarily allowing in-Canada Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) applicants to submit alternative proof of their PR application submission, meaning you no longer have to wait for an Acknowledgment of Receipt (AOR) to move forward with certain work permits.
This applies to PNP employer-specific work permits (T13), PNP Bridging Open Work Permits (A75), and eligible spousal open work permits for spouses or partners of PNP principal applicants.
Instead of an AOR, applicants can now provide a copy of the portal submission confirmation email along with proof of PR fee payment, or confirmation in IRCC systems that a PR application has been received and is pending.
This measure is in place until December 31, 2026. If you or someone you know has been waiting on an AOR that's holding up a work permit application, this is an important development.
Read the full bulletin
| | The TR to PR Update Is Here | | |
The government has confirmed that 33,000 temporary workers will receive permanent residence through the new In-Canada Workers Initiative.
The important catch is that this is not a new application pathway. IRCC is selecting from existing permanent residence applications already in its system through programs such as the Provincial Nominee Program, Atlantic Immigration Program and other regional pathways.
If your work permit is expiring, this update is a reminder to review your permanent residence options now rather than waiting until your status is about to expire.
Read more in our blog: Canada's New Temporary Residents to Permanent Residence Pathway 2026
| | A C11 Work Permit Approved in Two Weeks | | |
Published processing times suggested ten weeks. The approval arrived in two.
A recent entrepreneur work permit approval highlights an important lesson. A strong application is about much more than business ownership. It needs to clearly demonstrate how the business benefits Canada and why the applicant is essential to its success.
When your file answers the officer's questions before they need to ask them, better outcomes often follow.
| | Ontario Removes the Canadian Experience Barrier | | |
As of January 1, 2026, Ontario employers can no longer require Canadian experience in publicly advertised job postings.
For newcomers, this removes one of the most common barriers to employment. For employers, it is a reminder to review hiring practices and ensure compliance with the new rules.
The changes also include new AI disclosure requirements and faster authorization for some licensed professionals.
| | LMIA or Global Talent Stream? | | |
One of the most common questions employers ask is which hiring pathway is faster.
The better question is which one actually applies.
The Global Talent Stream can move quickly, often within a few weeks, but it is only available for specific high-skill occupations. If a role does not qualify, a standard LMIA may be the only option.
Choosing the right pathway from the beginning can save months of delay.
|
| You May Already Be a Canadian Citizen | | |
One of the most surprising immigration developments this year involves citizenship by descent.
Changes introduced in late 2025 removed the first-generation limit that prevented many people from claiming citizenship through grandparents, great-grandparents and earlier generations.
If you have Canadian roots in your family history, there may be a citizenship claim worth exploring. The key is proving the connection through official records and documentation.
|
| Help Shape Cross Border Mobility | | |
We are pleased to share an important survey being conducted by the Canadian Employee Relocation Council (CERC), in partnership with several leading industry organizations across the mobility and immigration ecosystem. The survey focuses on the real‑world experiences of companies whose employees cross the Canada–U.S. border for work under Chapter 16 of the USMCA/CUSMA.
Efficient cross‑border mobility is essential to North American competitiveness, innovation, and economic growth. However, many organizations continue to encounter administrative challenges that affect the movement of Business Visitors, Traders and Investors and Intra‑Company Transferees.
Your participation in this brief survey is vital. The insights collected will directly shape the recommendations that CERC, and our partners will present to both the U.S. and Canadian governments as part of a coordinated effort to modernize the administration of Chapter 16 and strengthen cross‑border mobility.
All responses are confidential. Individual organizations will not be identified, and only aggregate findings will be shared.
Click here to access the survey
|
| |
Sarah E. Phillips
Owner, Highline Law Office
| | |
Sarah has been practicing law in Canmore since 2016 and is an owner of Highline Law Office. She also brings a decade of experience in contract negotiation and stakeholder relations from her earlier career in Calgary’s energy sector. A graduate of the University of Calgary’s Haskayne School of Business and Faculty of Law, Sarah is passionate about serving her community through both her legal work and volunteer commitments. She is a member of the Banff Canmore Foundation’s Board of Directors and Impact Investment Committee, and a past board member of the Canmore & Area Mountain Bike Association.
Originally drawn to the Bow Valley for its recreation and stunning natural beauty, Sarah has made it her permanent home, inspired by the deep sense of community and connection to place. She is committed to helping shape a resilient, inclusive, and vibrant future for the region.
Highline Law Office is an association of independent practices with locations in Banff and Canmore, united by a steadfast dedication to serving our clients with professionalism, integrity, and personalized service. Together with a growing team of lawyers and paralegals at Highline Law Office, Sarah focuses her practice on corporate and commercial transactions, business law, and residential and commercial real estate transactions.
More about Sarah
|
| |
Whether you are a temporary worker planning for permanent residence, an entrepreneur expanding into Canada, an employer hiring talent or someone exploring a citizenship claim, the strongest strategies start with clear information.
If you're unsure which of these updates applies to your situation, our team can help you understand your options and plan your next move with confidence.
📞 Call us at (587) 200-9584
📧 contact@ackahlaw.com
🌐 www.ackahlaw.com
Grow and thrive beyond borders.
| | Listen to Evelyn on the Ask Canada Immigration Lawyer Podcast | | |
Evelyn dives deeper into the real stories, strategies, and human moments behind immigration law.
From border updates and work permit tips to interviews with entrepreneurs and newcomers building their lives in Canada, the Ask Canada Immigration Lawyer Podcast helps you stay informed, inspired, and confident in your next immigration decision.
| | Employer Compliance, Audits & Enforcement| Ackah Law Webinar | | |
Moving to Canada with the Start-up Visa:
Launch Your Future | Ackah Law Webinar
| | Your Path to the North: How Americans Can Move to Canada | Ackah Law Webinar | | | | |
