Once a week we provide you with a USA and Canada immigration law update. Your time is valuable, so we structure as a quick summary on all things American and Canadian immigration law related. We specialize in guiding businesses through these evolving landscapes. Contact us for tailored advice to ensure your immigration strategies align with your goals.

Business Immigration Success Story (Every week we share a short success story)

A growing Canadian small business was awarded a contract in the US due to their expertise in the oil and gas drilling sector, After establishing their U.S operations, we successfully secured L-1 visas for their leadership team, enabling them to legally work and operate in the United States.

UNITED STATES

Over the past 30 days, several developments in U.S. business immigration have implications for investors and employers.

• The Department of State’s August 2025 Visa Bulletin advanced final action dates for certain employment-based categories, notably EB-5 Unreserved visas for China (to December 8, 2015) and India (to November 15, 2019), due to lower-than-expected visa usage in other regions. This could accelerate green card processing for qualifying investors in these countries, but it highlights ongoing volatility in visa availability—businesses should monitor priority dates closely to time filings strategically.   
• On July 15, 2025, Joseph Edlow was confirmed as USCIS Director, potentially signaling shifts in processing priorities for programs like EB-5 and H-1B. Additionally, a proposed rule from the State Department, discussed around August 4, may require some visa applicants to post bonds up to $15,000 to mitigate overstay risks, which could increase costs for business visitors or temporary workers. 
• No major EB-5 program reforms were announced in this period, but with fiscal year-end approaching, investors should prepare for potential backlogs. These changes underscore the need for proactive planning to avoid delays in talent acquisition or investment-based immigration.

CANADA



Recent updates in Canadian business immigration focus on program efficiency and economic alignment.

• On July 21, 2025, IRCC launched public consultations on 2025 immigration levels, open until August 17, emphasizing business streams like the Start-up Visa (SUV) and Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). This could influence future targets, with current plans reducing SUV permanent residency admissions to 3,000 in 2025 (down from prior years), prioritizing high-impact ventures.  
• Settlement funds requirements for SUV applicants were updated on July 29, 2025, requiring proof of sufficient funds (e.g., CAD $13,757 for a single applicant) to support business establishment. 
• The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) rolled out a new Employer Portal in July, streamlining applications for business immigration and reducing processing times. 
• IRCC reported extended SUV processing times averaging 51 months as of July, due to backlogs, though priority for in-Canada or Francophone applicants may expedite cases.  For entrepreneurs, these shifts mean focusing on innovative proposals with strong Canadian ties to navigate reduced quotas and delays, ultimately fostering sustainable business growth.

Based out of Calgary Canada we have been in operation for over 15 years. We work with large Fortune 500 companies, expanding mid-size businesses and rapidly growing small business operations involved with international opportunities in the USA and Canada.

ONETERRA IMMIGRATION | inquiries@oneterra.ca | www.oneterra.ca