Getting Ready for H-1B Lottery in 2025

 

Soon after the New Year celebrations, once again, our firm's attention will be drawn to the annual H-1B filing season, which is expected to begin in March.  For the next few months, we must intake, evaluate, counsel and prepare client cases for the H-1B electronic registration process, which was initiated by USCIS in 2020.  

To safeguard our clients' interests, our office has continued to perform a thorough evaluation of each case before registration.  The upcoming lottery is for the FY 2026 H-1B program with an employment start date of 10/01/2025.   As the new administration has expressed a strong intent to make changes to immigration policies, we must be particularly vigilant in preparing for the upcoming H-1B lottery to minimize errors and improve the chances of selection.  Employers and employees should pay attention to the following items. 

Employer Information

Getting correct employer information is critical, as incorrect information will disqualify the H-1B registration.  Confirm the legal name of the employer in the State Certificate of Formation, including any subsequent changes in the legal name or D/B/As.  For larger companies with multiple subsidiaries, branches, etc., find out the exact legal entity that will act as the H-1B sponsor.  The Federal Employer ID number (FEIN) is another important piece of information, as USCIS uses the FEIN as the unique identifier for each sponsoring employer to screen out duplicate filings. The FEIN can be confirmed by examining the official correspondences issued by the Internal Revenue Service regarding the sponsoring entity.

Employee Qualifications

Generally speaking, an employee must qualify to perform the duties of a specialty occupation in order to be classified as an H-1B worker.  Hence, the employee's qualifications, including education, certifications, work experience, training, etc. must be carefully considered.  Specifically, for the purpose of H-1B electronic registration, we must confirm whether the employee qualifies for the “master cap”, which confers 20,000 additional visa numbers.  To qualify for the master cap, an applicant must have earned an advanced level degree beyond the bachelor's level, including professional degrees, conferred by an accredited U.S. institution.  Further, the school must not be a private, for-profit institution.   Even if the case is selected in the H-1B visa lottery, checking the wrong box means that the case will be denied eventually.

Information About the H-1B Position

Although the current USCIS registration system does not require specific occupational information, an early evaluation of the job title, duties, and requirements is also essential.  Again, the case will be denied if the position being petitioned for does not meet the definition of specialty occupation, even after the case is selected in the lottery. The law regarding what constitutes a specialty occupation constantly changes.  The agency policies and adjudication standards can also be confusing at times. For certain less defined occupations such as market research analysts, business analysts, consultants, etc., an early evaluation and assignment of occupation code would make the final application process smoother. 

Employee's Immigration Status

A foreign worker has two options to obtain H-1B status after their petition has been approved.  If they are legally present in the U.S., they may apply for a Change of Status directly in their H-1B petition.  Upon approval, their status will be changed automatically.  Hence, a thorough examination of the applicant's immigration status is critical.  For F-1 students who are eligible for STEM OPT, they should file a timely extension of their OPT status.  If extension is no longer available, we'll then evaluate whether the student qualifies for the special CAP-GAP extension rules. CAP-GAP rules allow qualified F-1 students to continue staying and/or working in the United States after expiration of their OPT status.  If an applicant has failed to maintain their lawful status in the U.S., they should consult an experienced immigration attorney without delay.  In some cases, they would have to depart the U.S. and apply for a valid H-1B visa stamp before they may re-enter the U.S.  Do not forget to also review the status of the H-1B candidate's spouse and children. Each person's immigration status must be properly maintained.  

Conclusion

In sum, there are factual and legal issues to consider regarding the H-1B registration and application process.  As mentioned, the new administration may make changes to the H-1B visa program including the electronic registration system, the subsequent application process, the substantive requirements such as the wages, job locations, specialty occupation, etc.  Hence, it is important to stay informed of any updates and changes in policies. 

(Immigration laws and policies change regularly.  If you have any questions regarding this article, please visit www.1visa1.com to schedule a legal consultation.)  

Removal of Countries from the J-1 Exchange Visitor Skills List Including China and India

 

Effective December 9, 2024, the Department of State (DOS) has published a significant update to the J-1 Exchange Visitor Skills List. This Skills List determines whether certain J-1 visa holders are subject to the two-year foreign residence requirement under Section 212(e) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. This update is poised to impact numerous J-1 visa holders worldwide.

The Purpose of the Skills List

The J-1 Exchange Visitor Skills List identifies countries that require the services of individuals engaged in specific fields of specialized knowledge or skills. If a J-1 exchange visitor’s country is listed, they are subject to the two-year foreign residence requirement. This requirement obliges the visitor to return to their home country for at least two years after completing their program before they can apply for certain U.S. immigration benefits, such as an H-1B visa or a green card.  

The DOS utilized a revised methodology for this update that takes into account factors such as the country's overall economic development (measured by per capita GDP), country size and outbound migration rates.  

Countries Removed from the Skills List

The updated Skills List removes several countries from its purview, including China and India, which previously required J-1 visa holders to comply with the two-year home country requirement. Other removed countries include: Albania, Algeria, Argentina, Armenia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Gabon, Georgia, Guyana, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Laos, Malaysia, Mauritius, Montenegro, Namibia, Oman, Paraguay, Peru, Romania, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Eswatini, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, and Uruguay.

Retroactive Application

Significantly, J-1 visa holders who were admitted or obtained J status before December 9, 2024, are no longer subject to the requirement if their country is not designated in the revised Skills List. This change offers relief to many former J-1 visitors who had been subject to the two-year requirement based on their country’s inclusion in the previous list.

No Update to Skills

While the list of countries has been revised, the specific skills required for countries still on the list remain unchanged from the 2009 version. This update affects only the countries included in the Skills List, not the skills themselves.  It should be noted that the specific skills for each country are different. 

Implications for J-1 Visa Holders

This change significantly reduces the number of individuals subject to the two-year foreign residence requirement.  Those no longer subject to the requirement can pursue U.S. immigration options, such as H-1B status or a green card, without needing to fulfill the two-year stay abroad.  For professionals from removed countries, this opens new pathways for career advancement and settlement in the United States.  However, it should be noted that some J-1 visitors may still be subject to the two-year home country requirement.  These include those who received funding from the U.S. government or their home country government, and graduate medical education or training in the United States.

Conclusion

The DOS has committed to reviewing the Skills List every three years to ensure its alignment with global economic and migration trends. The previous update to the list was in 2009, making this the first revision in over a decade. The 2024 revision to the J-1 Exchange Visitor Skills List marks a pivotal development for J-1 visa holders. By removing numerous countries from the list, the DOS has eased immigration barriers for many skilled professionals. J-1 exchange visitors and their employers should review the updated list to understand its implications and explore new opportunities under the revised framework.

(Immigration laws and policies change regularly.  If you have any questions regarding this article, please visit www.1visa1.com to schedule a legal consultation.)  

Some Misunderstandings Regarding NIW Petitions

 

The national interest waiver (NIW) under the 2nd preference employment-based immigration visa category has become popular recently, because of the unique advantages that it offers to petitioners.  Unlike the other 2nd and 3rd employment-based preference categories, petitioners do not need sponsorship by a qualified U.S. employer.  Unlike the PERM labor application process, a job offer is not required for a national interest waiver petition.  It means that a foreign national may file their own petition for an immigration visa without first securing a job offer by an employer.   For instance, a graduate student may start her application before she even graduates.  However, despite this advantage, an NIW petition is not a trivial petition that is suitable for all applicants.  

Some immigration consultants and practitioners promote NIW as something that is easy to qualify, a short-cut to obtain a green card.  This couldn't be farther from the truth.  Although an NIW petition generally requires fewer qualifications than an EB-1A extraordinary ability petition, it has its unique set of criteria for which the petitioner must qualify.  Certainly, not all applicants with just a graduate degree, albeit in the STEM field, would qualify.  In fact, if a petitioner does not have a graduate degree, he may still qualify by showing that he possesses exceptional ability.

As a threshold requirement, a petitioner must establish that their proposed endeavor has both substantial merit and national importance.  An endeavor is simply the type of work that the individual seeks to engage in.  One common misconception is that simply by working in a meritorious field, an individual would qualify for NIW.  For example, an individual could be working in the field of medical research, which has national importance.  However, if person's work is only tangential or relatively routine, then it would be difficult to argue that this applicant's endeavor has substantial merit and national importance.  To evaluate whether the proposed endeavor has merits and national importance, we must look at the details of the work and provide evidence that it has potential prospective impact in the field.  In this case, if the applicant's research provides new insights about the cause of a specific type of cancer, then his argument would be stronger.  

Another common misunderstanding is that NIW is only suitable for applicants in the medical or scientific fields, as they are required to conduct experiments and publish research papers.  True, publication of research papers is a type of evidence that can be used to illustrate the petitioner's scientific discoveries and their impact.  However, professionals in other non-scientific fields may also qualify for an national interest waiver by presenting other types of evidence.  For instance, a financial professional can provide evidence to prove how their work has maintained the financial stability of an organization or the whole country.  An architect can present evidence to show that their work will bring environmental benefits by using sustainable design and reusable materials. A software engineer may have designed a system that has the potential to revamp the way we, as a nation, conduct business, process data, or perform certain activities. All these are possible candidates for NIW. 

A petitioner should not only list the possible things that he or she can possibly do as their proposed endeavors.  For example, an experienced software engineer cannot simply list all the possible software applications that she may design in the future, as her proposed endeavors. To present a strong and convincing NIW petition, she should only focus on the tasks that she will realistically be able to perform, if her NIW petition is approved. For instance, if she is working on developing AI data pipelines now, she should focus on this specific area.  

To qualify for NIW, a petitioner must also prove that they are well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor.  As explained, one must first define well what their proposed endeavors are, with sufficient details and information.  Then, with these endeavors in mind, explain how the person's education, background, training, work experience, etc., will enable the person to perform the work involved. Also, are there any realistic opportunities for the person to perform these tasks?  Is the petitioner already doing what they propose to do, or are there plans to start a new company?  To increase the chances of approval, there must be a realistic and workable plan for the person pursue the proposed endeavors, if they are granted an NIW-based green card

(Immigration laws and policies change regularly.  If you have any questions regarding this article, please visit www.1visa1.com to schedule a legal consultation.)  

New Classes of Admission for Surviving Spouses and Children of Deceased U.S. Government Employees Abroad

 

On November 25, 2024, USCIS announced several new Classes of Admission (COAs) to support surviving spouses and children of deceased U.S. government employees who were stationed overseas. These COAs are aimed at helping eligible family members maintain lawful immigration status or adjust their status after the loss of a loved one. The announcement provides eligibility criteria and procedural details for these individuals to apply for immigration benefits.

Previous COAs created in 2022 and 2023:

SS1 - Surviving spouse or child of deceased USG employee (Arrival); and

GS1 - Certain surviving spouses or children of USG Significant Immigrant Visa employee under the Grateful Act (an individual with a GV1 COA) (Arrival).

Additional COAs Created:

SS2 - Spouse of SS1 surviving spouse (Arrival);

SS3 - Child of SS1 surviving spouse or child (Arrival);

SS6 - Surviving spouse or child of deceased USG employee (Adjustment);

SS7 - Spouse of SS6 (Adjustment);

SS8 - Child of SS6 unrelated to deceased USG employee (Adjustment);

GS2 - Current spouse of GS1 (if any) (Arrival);

GS3 - Unmarried child of GS1 (if any) (Arrival);

GS6 - Certain surviving spouses or children of GV1 eligible person (Adjustment);

GS7 - Current surviving spouse of GS1/GS6 (if any) (Adjustment); and

GS8 - Unmarried child of GS1/GS6 (if any) (Adjustment).

Impact:

Family members with these COAs are lawful permanent residents and are authorized to work and reside in the United States.

Documentation:

These surviving family members may present the following documentation that includes any of the following COAs: SS1, SS2, SS3, SS6, SS7, SS8, GS1, GS2, GS3, GS6, GS7, or GS8. 

• Form I-551, Permanent Resident Card (Green Card); 
• Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record with a temporary I-551 Permanent Resident stamp;
• Foreign passport with a temporary I-551 Permanent Resident stamp; or
• Foreign passport with an I-551 Machine Readable Immigrant Visa.
• Additional immigration statuses and categories, if any; and
• Pending immigration applications.

(Immigration laws and policies change regularly.  If you have any questions regarding this article, please visit www.1visa1.com to schedule a legal consultation.)  

H-1B Cap Program Officially Closed by USCIS

 

Today, USCIS has officially closed the H-1B cap visa program for FY 2025.  USCIS announced today that it has received enough petitions to reach the 65,000 H-1B regular cap and the 20,000 H-1B master’s cap, for this fiscal year.  Non-selection notices will be sent out to registrants through their online accounts over the next few days. 

 

 

Applicants Must Submit I-693 Medical Examination Report with the I-485 Application

 

Today, USCIS announced that it now requires applicants filing Form I-485 (Application to Adjust Status) to submit Form I-693 (Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record) with their Form I-485.   The purpose is to reduce the number of Requests for Evidence (RFEs).  

USCIS is revising the form instructions to reflect this change.  Failure to submit the I-693 report may result in the rejection of the I-485.  

The policy regarding I-693 changes constantly. This announcement represents that latest policy of USCIS.

(Immigration laws and policies change regularly.  If you have any questions regarding this article, please visit www.1visa1.com to schedule a legal consultation.)  

Keeping Families Together Blocked by Federal Court

 

The "Keeping Families Together" (KFT) initiative, introduced by the Biden administration in August 2024, aimed to provide a pathway to legal status for certain undocumented spouses and stepchildren of U.S. citizens through a process known as "parole-in-place." This process would have allowed eligible individuals to remain in the United States while applying for legal status, thereby avoiding the need to leave the country for consular processing.

However, on November 7, 2024, a federal district court judge of the Eastern District of Texas ruled against the KFT initiative, declaring it unlawful. The court found that the program exceeded the executive branch's authority by effectively creating a new immigration pathway without congressional approval. This decision has halted the implementation of the KFT initiative, leaving many mixed-status families in uncertainty. 

Implications for Applicants:

The impact to applicants for parole-in-place status varies, depending on the status of the application. 

Approved Applications:  For those individuals who applied early and had their cases approved already, they should not be affected by this decision for now. Most of these applicants had already submitted waiver applications before, and their background checks had been already completed. 

Pending Applications: Individuals who have already submitted applications under the KFT initiative should anticipate delays or potential denials, as the program's legal foundation has been invalidated.  It is unclear how the government will handle these cases.  It's likely that these cases will be placed on hold for the time being. 

Future Applications: The USCIS is expected to cease accepting new applications related to the KFT initiative in compliance with the court's ruling. Applicants should stop submitting the I-131F application to USCIS. 

The Future of KFT:

The current administration may attempt to appeal this federal court decision to a higher court, although the chances for a successful appeal are uncertain.  As of now, the current administration has not indicated that it will appeal the district court decision.  As such, the future of the KFT initiative remains uncertain, especially with the recent political shifts following the 2024 elections. The incoming administration may introduce new immigration policies that could impact mixed-status families.  In general, the new administration is expected to push out restrictive immigration initiatives, especially against those who are undocumented.  Hence, the prospects for any executive relief programs are bleak.

Recommended Actions:

As always, affected individuals should seek advice from immigration attorneys to explore alternative legal avenues, for adjusting their status or to understand the implications of the court's decision on their specific circumstances.  One possible application to pursue are provisional waivers which, if approved, would allow undocumented immigrants to apply for immigrant visas from overseas to return to the U.S. as legal residents.  However, they must prove that their close citizen or resident family members will suffer extremely hardship if the waiver is not approved.

In general, early planning and timely actions are critical for a successful immigration journey.  Foreign nationals should also stay informed and monitor official communications from USCIS and other relevant government agencies for updates on policy changes or new programs that may offer relief or affect their ability to stay in the United States. 

(Immigration laws and policies change regularly.  If you have any questions regarding this article, please visit www.1visa1.com to schedule a legal consultation.)  

December 2024 Visa Bulletin: India EB-2 & EB-3 Advance

In December, India EB-2 advances by 17 days, and EB-3 advances by 7 days. Other Employment visa categories remain steady.  Family-based categories remain unchanged from October to November.

USCIS will honor Dates for Filing Applications for both Family-based and Employment-based I-485 applications.

AD: Dates for Final Action (Green Card Approval)  

FD: Dates for Filing Applications Only

Family-based		Other Countries	China	India	Mexico	Philippines
F1	AD	10/22/2015	10/22/2015	10/22/2015	11/22/2004	03/01/2012
	FD	09/01/2017	09/01/2017	09/01/2017	10/01/2005	04/22/2015
F2A	AD	01/01/2022	01/01/2022	01/01/2022	04/15/2021	01/01/2022
	FD	07/15/2024	07/15/2024	07/15/2024	07/15/2024	07/15/2024
F2B	AD	05/01/2016	05/01/2016	05/01/2016	07/01/2005	10/22/2011
	FD	01/01/2017	01/01/2017	01/01/2017	07/01/2006	10/01/2013
F3	AD	04/15/2010	04/15/2010	04/15/2010	10/22/2000	09/08/2002
	FD	04/22/2012	04/22/2012	04/22/2012	06/15/2001	05/08/2004
F4	AD	08/01/2007	08/01/2007	03/08/2006	03/01/2001	02/01/2004
	FD	03/01/2008	03/01/2008	08/01/2006	04/30/2001	07/22/2007

1st: Unmarried Sons and Daughters of Citizens (about 23,400 per year).
2A: The 2 “A” preference is for Spouses and Children (under 21 & unmarried) of LPR's.
2B: The 2 “B” Preference is for Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 or older) of LPR's.
3rd: Married Sons and Daughters of Citizens (about 23,400 per year)
4th: Brothers and Sisters of Adult Citizens. (about 65,000 per year)

Employment-based		Other Countries	China	India	Mexico	Philippines
EB-1	AD	C	11/08/2022	02/01/2022	C	C
	FD	C	01/01/2023	04/15/2022	C	C
EB-2	AD	03/15/2023	03/22/2020	07/15/2012	03/15/2023	03/15/2023
	FD	08/01/2023	10/01/2020	01/01/2013	08/01/2023	08/01/2023
EB-3	AD	11/15/2022	04/01/2020	11/01/2012	11/15/2022	11/15/2022
	FD	03/01/2023	11/15/2020	06/08/2013	03/01/2023	03/01/2023
Other Workers	AD	12/01/2020	01/01/2017	11/01/2012	12/01/2020	12/01/2020
	FD	05/22/2021	01/01/2018	06/08/2013	05/22/2021	05/22/2021
EB-4*	AD	01/01/2021	01/01/2021	01/01/2021	01/01/2021	01/01/2021
	FD	02/01/2021	02/01/2021	02/01/2021	02/01/2021	02/01/2021
EB-5	AD	C	07/15/2016*	01/01/2022*	C	C
	FD	C	10/01/2016	04/01/2022	C	C

1st: Priority Workers (Extraordinary ability aliens, multinational companies' executives/managers, outstanding prof./researchers)
2nd: Members of the Professions Holding Advanced Degrees or Persons of Exceptional Ability.
3rd: Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Other Workers (Unskilled.)
4th: “Special Immigrants” (Religious & others)

*Visa numbers for Certain Religious Workers will be "Unavailable" in October.

5th: Employment Creation (Investors)

*China and India EB-5 visa numbers for rural, high unemployment & infrastructure areas/projects are current.

(Immigration laws and policies change regularly.  If you have any questions regarding this article, please visit www.1visa1.com to schedule a legal consultation.)  

USCIS Clarifies Admission Requirement for Naturalization

 

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has issued updated policy guidance clarifying the admission requirements for naturalization applicants. This guidance, effective immediately and applicable to both pending and newly filed cases, addresses an important aspect of naturalization law: the lawful admission of applicants as lawful permanent residents (LPRs).

Only Initial Admission Must be Lawful

The updated USCIS Policy Manual specifies that a naturalization applicant must demonstrate they were lawfully admitted for permanent residence only at the time of their initial admission as an LPR or adjustment of status to LPR. Subsequent entries into the United States, regardless of circumstances or legality, do not impact the determination of lawful admission for naturalization purposes.

This clarification aligns with the ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit in Azumah v. USCIS, 107 F.4th 272 (4th Cir. 2024). The decision emphasizes that the focus should be on the lawful admission or adjustment at the time the applicant obtained LPR status, not on later reentries. 

After his lawful admission as a permanent resident, Azumah was deemed inadmissible due to a subsequent embezzlement conviction. Upon his return to the U.S. in 2014, the government paroled him into the country and initiated removal proceedings against him.  After dismissal of proceedings, Azumah applied for naturalization, which was denied by USCIS because he was not “lawfully admitted for permanent residence” when he returned to the United States in 2014.  Upon appeal, the 4th Circuit Court disagreed.

The Fourth Circuit’s Rationale

 The Fourth Circuit highlighted that the statutory language under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) specifies that naturalization applicants must prove they were lawfully admitted to the U.S. as permanent residents. The term refers to the applicant's initial lawful entry or adjustment of status to LPR. 

The Fourth Circuit rejected arguments that unlawful subsequent entries could retroactively affect the validity of the initial lawful admission or adjustment. This ensures that individuals who met all legal requirements at the time of becoming LPRs are not penalized for later circumstances that do not invalidate their original status.

The Fourth Circuit also noted the practical need for consistent and predictable standards. By focusing on the initial lawful admission or adjustment, USCIS can streamline adjudication and avoid penalizing applicants for unrelated or subsequent immigration complexities.

Why This Matters

For applicants applying for naturalization, this clarification removes uncertainty about how subsequent entries might affect their eligibility. Applicants who entered or adjusted to LPR status lawfully retain their eligibility for naturalization, even if they later faced challenges with subsequent entries.  USCIS has revised its Policy Manual to incorporate this new policy.  

(Immigration laws and policies change regularly.  If you have any questions regarding this article, please visit www.1visa1.com to schedule a legal consultation.)  

Canada's Immigration System Changes and Targets for 2025-2027

 

On October 24, 2024, the Government of Canada unveiled its 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan, signaling a significant shift in how the country manages population growth through immigration. The announcement, delivered by Marc Miller, the Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, emphasizes a balanced approach designed to achieve short-term stability while positioning the country for sustainable, long-term growth.

Key Changes in the 2025-2027 Immigration Plan

1. Reduction in Permanent Resident Targets:

   • The plan includes a considerable reduction in permanent resident targets over the next three years:
     • 2025: A reduction from 500,000 to 395,000 permanent residents.
     • 2026: A further reduction to 380,000.
     • 2027: A target of 365,000 permanent residents.
   • This marks a shift from previous ambitious goals, aiming to pause rapid population growth temporarily to allow for better integration and resource allocation.

2. Focus on Temporary Residents:

   • For the first time, the levels plan introduces controlled targets for temporary residents, particularly international students and temporary foreign workers.
   • The plan seeks to reduce the temporary resident population to 5% of Canada’s overall population by the end of 2026, with specific reductions as follows:
     • 2025: A decrease of 445,901 temporary residents.
     • 2026: A decrease of 445,662 temporary residents.
     • 2027: A modest increase of 17,439 temporary residents, marking a return to growth after initial reductions.
   • Measures include a cap on international students and stricter eligibility requirements for temporary foreign workers to ensure the quality and integrity of temporary resident programs.

3. Transitioning Temporary Residents to Permanent Status:

   • A core focus of the plan is to transition more temporary residents—those already studying or working in Canada—to permanent resident status.
   • These individuals, who are already integrated into Canadian society with established housing and employment, are expected to make up more than 40% of overall permanent resident admissions in 2025.
   • By focusing on those already in Canada, the plan aims to bolster the workforce and support economic growth without placing additional strain on housing and social services.

4. Economic Class Admissions and Key Sectors:

   • The plan prioritizes long-term economic growth by increasing the share of permanent resident admissions in the economic class, targeting 61.7% of total admissions by 2027.
   • Key labor market sectors, such as healthcare and trades, will see targeted recruitment to address shortages and support Canada’s economic resilience.

5. Supporting Francophone Communities:

   • Another significant goal is to strengthen Francophone communities outside Quebec, contributing to their economic prosperity.
   • The plan includes targets for Francophone immigration as part of the overall permanent resident admissions:
     • 8.5% in 2025
     • 9.5% in 2026
     • 10% in 2027

Rationale for the Adjustments

The adjustments to Canada’s immigration plan reflect the government’s response to current challenges, such as housing shortages, infrastructure constraints, and pressures on social services. By moderating the pace of population growth through immigration, the plan aims to create a sustainable environment for newcomers and Canadians alike. This balanced approach allows provinces and stakeholders to better align their capacities with the needs of a growing population.

The 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan marks a shift toward a more controlled, strategic immigration system, ensuring that Canada can continue to welcome newcomers while addressing immediate economic and social needs.

(Immigration laws and policies change regularly.  If you have any questions regarding this article, please visit www.1visa1.com to schedule a legal consultation.)