Canadian Corporate Immigration

Transcription

1 Canadian Corporate Immigration Understanding and Navigating the System Benjamin A. Kranc 425 University Avenue Suite 200 Toronto, Ontario M5G 1T6 Tel: (416) Web: LinkedIn: ca.linkedin.com/in/benjaminkranc

2 IRPA/R: Immigration and Refugee Protection Act/Regulations ESDC: Employment and Social Development Canada (previously HRSDC) Service Canada(SC): Administers ESDC Programs LMIA: Labour Market Impact Assessment (previously LMO) NOC: National Occupational Classification CEC: Confirmation Exemption Code CIC: Citizenship and Immigration Canada CBSA: Canada Border Services Agency NAFTA: North American Free Trade Agreement GATS: General Agreement on Trade in Services CCFTA: Canada Chile Free Trade Agreement CPFTA: Canada Peru Free Trade Agreement CCoFTA: Canada Colombia Free Trade Agreement CSKFTA: Canada South Korea Free Trade Agreement [Coming Soon?: European Union] [Coming Soon?: Trans-Pacific Partnership]

3 Require LMIA and Work Permit Requirements Set Out in IRPR s. 203 Require Work Permit; LMIA Exempt (International Mobility Program [IMP]) Intra-Company Transferees NAFTA, GATS, CCFTA, CPFTA, CCoFTA, CSKFTA Professionals Other e.g. Reciprocal Benefit, Significant Benefit, IEC, Other Work Permit Exempt Business Visitors Other Exemptions

4 Whether: *Work is likely to fill a labour shortage *Work offered at prevailing wages and appropriate work conditions *Employer has made reasonable efforts to hire/train Canadians Work is likely to result in creation/transfer of skills and knowledge to Canadians Work is likely to result in job creation/retention Work is likely to affect any labour dispute

5 Prior changes (in last 5 years) Substantially the same Genuineness 4 year limit Recruitment requirements 4 weeks from 2 2 sources plus job bank Ongoing Filing Fee $1000 per position

6 June 2014 Now: Labour Market Immigration Assessment (Previously LMO) Test redefined from NOC based High Skill to Wage based High Wage High Wage Transition Plan Low Wage Caps and Restrictions

7 Failure to Comply 25% Audit Expectation Non-compliance can lead to 10 or More Year Ban on Hiring Foreign Workers Publication on Black List Inability to Renew LIMAs and Work Permits Therefore: Maintain Records: 6 Years, including: Wages Immigration Documentation Other Proactive Compliance Systems

8 Require LMIA and Work Permit Requirements Set Out in IRPR s. 203 Require Work Permit; LMIA Exempt (IMP) Intra-Company Transferees NAFTA, GATS, CCFTA, CPFTA, CCoFTA Professionals Other e.g. Reciprocal Benefit, Significant Benefit, IEC, Other Work Permit Exempt Business Visitors Other Exemptions

9 Intra-Company Transfer Canadian company affiliated with foreign company Employee works in foreign affiliate for 1 Year in Last 3 (except 6 months for Peru) Capacity: Executive/Senior Manager/Specialized Knowledge Note: NAFTA/GATS/FTAs/IRPR Convergence

10 Coming from foreign company to Affiliated Canadian company Affiliated can be Parent/subsidiary Sister corporations Look at control (could be < 50%)

11 One in last three years with overseas company Must be presently working there Employment past and future can be contract but needs to be dedicated arrangement

12 Specialized Knowledge or Senior Managerial/Directorial Level Specialized Knowledge Advanced Experience / Proprietary Knowledge Managerial Experience Typically managing people, sometimes functional

13 Other considerations Caps 5 years for specialized knowledge 7 years for managerial positions Renewable in 2 year increments Startup considerations 1 year Substantiation of doing business in Canada

14 Effective June 2014 Changes to assessment for Specialized Knowledge Cases Considerations as to meaning of Specialized Knowledge Salary Issues Control Issues

15 Specialized Knowledge: Knowledge at an Advanced Level of Expertise PLUS Proprietary Knowledge of the Company s Product, Service, Research, Equipment, techniques or Management (Test is high degree of each of these, on a balance of probabilities)

16 Advanced Level of Expertise Specialized knowledge gained through significant and recent experience with the organization and used by the individual to contribute significantly to the employer s productivity. Significant experience no specific guideline, just that the longer the experience, the more likely the experience is specialized Recent within the last five years

17 Proprietary Knowledge Company-specific expertise of a company's product or service where specifications that would allow other companies to duplicate the product or service would not have been divulged. Advanced Proprietary Knowledge: Uncommon knowledge of company s products/services in international markets, or Advanced level of expertise or knowledge in company s processes and procedures such as its production, research, equipment, and management.

18 Other Factors: Wage Minimum of Prevailing Wage Control Do not include non-cash per diems (only directly paid monetary payments can be included) Worker to be clearly employed by, and under direct/continuous supervision of host company Typically, no training should be required

19 Exceptions/Breathing Room: Minimum Wage Guideline does NOT apply to ICTs under any Free Trade Agreement HOWEVER, it can still be a factor to be considered Note: GATS is NOT a Free Trade Agreement for our purposes Where agreement calls for different definitions, respect those other definitions. e.g. Peru Free Trade Agreements 6 months experience

20 New Realities/Implications: Difficulty Parachuting Control issue means that sending someone for a few days may be difficult Issues re level of Proprietariness How special does it have to be? NOC classifications Reclassification could deny ICT status even if all other tests met Need for Alternatives/Creativity

21 Senior Managerial/Executive Intra-Company Transfers: Impact? Nothing Definitive Wages? Control?

22 Professionals NAFTA; e.g. Management Consultant GATS; industry specific, 90 day maximum Other Reciprocal Benefit Significant Benefit Further Possibilities

23 Designated list Each has specific requirements e.g. Bachelor s Degree, membership in a professional association, etc. Review NOC for considerations of profession Do not need Canadian licence for profession Need pre-arranged employment with Canadian company employment is often a contract for services No self-employment

24 List of approximately 60 occupations A random sampling includes: Agriculturist Dentist Seminary Teacher Hotel Manager Forester Librarian

25 Engineer Degree or Licence Need not be licenced in Canada (Note distinction for letter of no objection in other categories)

26 Computer Systems Analyst Degree or Diploma/Certificate Now field-related Must be doing systems analysis beyond basic programming

27 Management Consultant Degree in related field, or Five years experience Improving high level issues, not production Caution: open to abuse by clients, and skepticism by officers.

28 Scientific Technician Includes the fields of astronomy, biology, engineering, geology, and others Ability to solve practical problems Person being supported must qualify in their own right Questions about construction trades, e.g. electricians, aircraft technicians

29 GATS Engineers, Computer Specialists 3 months CCFTA Engineer, Computer Systems Analyst CCoFTA Negative list no Pharmacists, Performing Artists, etc. CPFTA Negative list no Pharmacists, Performing Artists, etc. CSKFTA Contract Service Supplier Independent Professional European Trade Agreement? Trans-Pacific Partnership?

30 Theory: Neutral Labour Market Impact Some formal programs, e.g.: International Experience Class Working Holidays Can be used by individual company Need not be one for one Need not be direct (i.e. Canada sends to Germany, Ireland sends to Canada) Evidence: Rosters of Transfers In/Out; Global Mobility Policy

31 Institutional Reciprocity Bilateral Agreements with Various Countries Various Programs, each with unique requirements Restrictions on: Age Renewal Recently graduated (within the last year) Note: New Pool System

32 Must apply at visa post Trader: Businessperson carrying on substantial trade between US or Mexico, and Canada Investor: Businessperson establishing or advising an operation based on an investment in Canada, where businessperson has committed or will commit a substantial amount of capital. Amount of capital relative to amount of investment Intra-company alternative

33 Significant Benefit Last Resort Allows for Creative Solutions; e.g. consider impact, time frame, etc. Emergency Repair Provincial Programs Alberta Construction Workers

34 Effective Feb. 21, 2015, Employers must: Pay $230 compliance fee Provide an offer of employment Provide specific company information Effective October 26, 2015 Must be done via employer portal Effect of non-compliance Refusal of Foreign Worker s application Possible other sanctions

35 Require LMIA and Work Permit Requirements Set Out in IRPR s. 203 Require Work Permit; LMIA Exempt (IMP) Intra-Company Transferees NAFTA, GATS, CCFTA, CPFTA, CCoFTA Professionals Other e.g. Reciprocal Benefit, Significant Benefit, IEC, Other Work Permit Exempt Business Visitors Other Exemptions

36 IRPR ss. 186/187 Examples: Clergy Foreign Journalists Certain Entertainers Emergency Personnel

37 Originally in FTA/NAFTA, now in broader IRPR IRPR s. 186(a)/187 International Business activity/not entering labour market Examples: Buying Canadian products or receiving training re goods Intra-company training Selling not to the general public meetings

38 Remuneration must remain abroad Principal place of business must remain abroad Benefit inures to foreign company Consider aspects of work, international in nature, etc.

39 eta For non-visa nationals travelling to Canada NOT a substitute for consideration of Business Visit vs. Work Permit Effective November 10, 2016 Valid for 5 Years eta rather than Visa for those with US non-immigrant visa, or who had a Canadian visa in the past 10 years from: Brazil, Bulgaria, Mexico, Romania Exceptions: US Citizens (US Permanent Residents Do Need an eta) Those with Study/Work Permit Issued after August 15, 2015 The Queen of England!

40 Port of entry vs. Visa Post Visa-Requiring Nationals with US Green Cards can use POE Traders/investors (even American) must use visa post Trade off: faster at port of entry, more thorough at Visa Post Visa Posts use Visa Application Centres - issues

41 Pre-screening For Port of Entry opinion on non-lmia (with no peripheral issues, e.g. criminality) Send application to Immigration Mobility Worker Unit(IMWU formerly TFWU) Toronto for Ontario and west Montreal for Quebec and east Ensure proper forms depending on IMWU Apply based on where person will be working

42 IMWU provides opinion Not binding on POE, but unless there is some major issue on entry, should act as good insurance of validity of non-lmia cases

43 Work permit applications are legal procedures Legal procedures require evidence and legal argument Besides issues of rules of nature of evidence (e.g. when document should be certified), evidence should be considered to substantiate legal issues in question

44 Therefore, e.g.: Intra-company applications must establish Affiliation of companies Applicant s history with company Applicant s specialized knowledge or managerial experience Control issues Anything else that may be considered in such an application

45 Professional applications must establish Professional qualifications Citizenship Pre-arranged employment with Canadian entity Anything else that may be considered in such applications

46 Evidence: Onus on Applicant Documentation could include: Resume Reference letters Company support letters Job description (showing, e.g., training acquired, years of experience, degrees in the field) Company support letters Publications/Awards Description of Work to be Performed in Canada

47 Types of documentation to support: Use common sense Documentation to support issues in that case, e.g. Pay stubs show work history Corporate shares could show affiliation No limit per se common sense

48 In addition to the above, of course, relevant forms should be provided depending on situation, e.g.: IMWU form for Toronto IMWU Application for work permit at visa post Submissions are what tie facts/evidence/legal issues together The onus is on you to ensure officer has what he/she needs to make a decision, and to persuade him/her that the applicant qualifies under the relevant provision

49 Work Permit vs. Visa Notations on work permits Inland (Ottawa) visa processing Dependents (Work Permits) Spouses anywhere (based on NOC: 0, A, or B) [formerly children in Alberta, Ontario, British Columbia] Dual Intent Others non-immigration issues as well: tax, employment law, etc.

50 Criminal matters Misrepresentation: Directly/indirectly Misrepresenting or Withholding Material Facts 2 Year Bar Previous Unauthorized Work 6 Month Bar for New Work Permit

51 Failure to Comply New Rules Effective Dec. 1, 2015 Non-compliance can lead to Publication on Black List (existing) Inability to Renew LIMAs and Work Permits (existing) 1, 2, 5, 10 Year and Lifetime Bans on Hiring Foreign Workers (new) Formerly 2 Year Bar Administrative Monetary Penalties (AMPs) up to $100,000 (new)

52 Inspection there is reason to suspect non-compliance (i.e. a tip was received); previous non-compliance; or random selection [25% chance] Employer Compliance Review Upon LMIA Application Ministerial Instruction Information re Violation of Specific LMIA

53 Three Factors to Determine Penalty: Type of Offence History/Severity Size of Business

54 Factor 1: Types of Violations Group A: Failure to demonstrate 6 years accuracy of work permit Failure to retain necessary documents Failure to comply with Compliance Review Group B: Failure to comply with applicable Federal/Provincial law Failure to provide foreign worker substantially the same wages and working conditions as set out in any application Failure to fulfill obligations (e.g. transition plan) upon which work permit was based Group C: Failure to keep workplace free from abuse Failure to establish that company is actively engaged in business under which employment was offered

55 Factor 2: Consider History/Severity Points Points are divided into 2 categories: History, and Severity For History: A or B first violation A or B violation beyond first 2 points C violations 1 point 3 points

56 For Severity: Employer derived economic benefit 1-3 points Financial harm to foreign national 1-4 points Abuse of foreign national 1 to 6 Negatively impact on labour market 1-4 points Deliberate attempt to mislead 6 points No attempt to mitigate violation 2 points No attempt to prevent recurrence 2 points Other factors to be listed 1-6 points

57 Factor 3: Size of Business For this, need to distinguish: Small Business: Fewer than 100 employees, OR Less than $5M in annual gross revenue Including Affiliates Large Business : Anything other than a small business

58 Example: Large company promised to try to hire/train Canadians as part of LMIA application. This is a second offence. This is a Group B violation History points: 2 Severity: Employer derived economic benefit 2 Financial harm to foreign national Abuse of foreign national Negatively impact on labour market 3 Deliberate attempt to mislead No attempt to mitigate violation No attempt to prevent recurrence 2 7 (Subtotal) Other factors to be listed Total: 9

59 Now (finally), Assess Penalty: 1 point Type A Small Business $500/No Ban Large Business $750/No Ban Type B Small Business $750/No Ban Large Business $1000/No Ban Type C N/A

60 5 points Type A Small Business $10,000/No Ban Large Business $20,000/No Ban Type B Small Business $35,000/No Ban Large Business $50,000/No Ban Type C Small Business $45,000/1 Year Ban Large Business $70,000/1 Year Ban

61 8 or more points Type A Small Business $100,000/5-10 Year Ban Large Business $100,000/5-10 Year Ban Type B Small Business $100,000/5-10 Year Ban Large Business $100,000/5-10 Year Ban Type C Small Business $100,000/5-10 Year Ban Large Business $100,000/5-10 Year Ban

62 Result: $100,000 Administrative Monetary Penalty 5 or 10 Year Ban Blacklist Non-renewal of existing work permits

63 Business licences /permits T2 Schedule 125 Income Statement Information, and, Schedule 100 Balance Sheet Information Commercial lease agreements, business permits, etc. Provincial/territorial employer and recruiter registration certificate/ licence Recruitment information Anti-abuse and whistle-blower protection policies/codes of Conduct/compliance policies Training polices and materials Payroll records Time sheets Pension and benefits enrollment documents Job descriptions Copies of work permits Documentation in relation to job creation, job retention, training or transfer of skills and knowledge, and Registration with provincial/territorial workplace safety/workers compensation clearance letter

64 Create policy to ensure that Foreign Worker Program is used only where necessary, (and follow all procedures in that regard) Implement a training plan documenting knowledge/skills transferred to Canadians by TFWs Appoint an Internal Compliance Officer accountable for, e.g.: Maintaining recruitment procedures Maintaining records and ensuring compliance in relation to changes in employment terms Verifying company support documentation Developing document retention practices Developing third party/vendor management polices Establish corporate protocols to respond to requests for Inspections and Compliance Reviews Maintain files containing key foreign worker information, document retention protocols, and centralized storage and retrieval processes (be prepared for timely ECR and Inspection response) Develop/circulate internal communications on anti-abuse or other compliance policies, as well as on whistle-blower processes to encourage credible reports from employees relating to complaints of abuse and the prompt and fair resolution of any complaint

65 Employers Due Diligence Requirement: Employing a Foreign National Without Authorization 2 Year Imprisonment/$50,000 Fine Aiding/Abetting/Counselling 5 Year Imprisonment/$100,000 Fine

66 Citizenship and Immigration Canada NOC Wages ESDC Foreign Worker Program

67 Canadian Corporate Immigration Understanding and Navigating the System Benjamin A. Kranc 425 University Avenue Suite 200 Toronto, Ontario M5G 1T6 Tel: (416) Web: LinkedIn: ca.linkedin.com/in/benjaminkranc