Immigration Updates

Over the past ten months, numerous changes have been made with respect to how the University of Alberta is required to handle immigration-related issues. The following is an update regarding the most recent changes.

1. A new Labour Market Impact Assessment Application form has been introduced by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). Effective immediately, ESDC will accept only the newest version of the application form. On the HRS web site, the Tip Sheet for completing the application form has been updated to reflect this change.
2. Effective immediately, University hiring units will not be required to provide credit card numbers to pay Employment and Social Development Canada’s $1000 processing fee for Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIA). Instead, when hiring units submit LMIA applications, they must include a speed code on the accompanying LMIA Coversheet and Checklist.
3. As of May 11, 2015, when U of A host submit a Foreign Visitor Category Assessment form, it is no longer necessary to provide Immigration Services with an account number for the payment of ESDC’s $230 Employer Compliance fee. It will, however, still be necessary to provide the appropriate speed code.

Following the introduction of Citizenship and Immigration Canada’s International Mobility Program, Immigration Services (HRS) has experienced a significant rise in the volume of inquiries. This has resulted in increased response time and a significant, ongoing backlog of cases. Immigration Services is prioritizing requests to handle the most urgent situations as quickly as possible. A recruitment process is underway to hire a third Immigration Consultant. For the short-term, extra resources are being utilized to help deal with the backlog. During this challenging period, Immigration Services recognizes and appreciates the patience of the campus community.

Please direct any questions about these subjects to: immigration.services@ualberta.ca