Guberman // Appleby

06/02/2026

Canada has strict inadmissibility rules. Even offences that seem minor, old, or fully resolved in your home country can make you inadmissible. But inadmissible does not always mean unable to enter. A Temporary Resident Permit allows entry for a specific, justified reason even if you're otherwise inadmissible. If five or more years have passed since you completed your sentence, Criminal Rehabilitation may permanently resolve your inadmissibility - provided you can demonstrate you've moved on and pose no risk. And in some cases, if more than ten years have passed and the offence wouldn't be considered serious under Canadian law, you may qualify for Deemed Rehabilitation without a formal application.
The catch is that showing up at the border without documentation and hoping for the best is a real risk. We've seen people turned away. If you have a past that could affect entry to Canada, let's talk it through before your next trip.
📩 Reach us directly at gaimmigrationlawyers.com/contact

05/27/2026

Canada has expanded its eTA-X program to include eligible travellers from Indonesia and Malaysia. As of May 26, 2026, select citizens of these countries may be able to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization instead of a full Temporary Resident Visa when travelling to Canada by air. Eligibility depends on specific factors, including prior Canadian visa history or holding a valid U.S. nonimmigrant visa. It's important to note that Indonesia and Malaysia remain visa-required countries, and the eTA-X pathway does not apply to everyone. Read more on our latest blog to learn who may qualify and when a Temporary Resident Visa may still be required:
https://gaimmigrationlawyers.com/eta-x-program-expansion-indonesia-malaysia/

Canada has expanded eTA-X eligibility to select Indonesian and Malaysian citizens. Learn who may qualify and when a TRV is still required.

05/26/2026

A new USCIS policy memorandum may create added scrutiny for people applying for a green card from inside the United States through adjustment of status. Guberman // Appleby’s latest immigration update explains what this could mean for applicants, including those with pending cases, lawful temporary status, overstays, travel concerns, or possible consular processing considerations. Read the full blog here:
https://gaimmigrationlawyers.com/us-green-card-application-policy-changes-may-2026/

05/25/2026

We are proud to share that Joel Guberman and Lainie Michelle Appleby of Guberman // Appleby Immigration Lawyers continue to be recognized by Lexology as Thought Leaders in Immigration Law.

This recognition reflects their continued leadership, experience, and dedication to helping individuals, families, businesses, and international clients navigate complex Canadian and U.S. immigration matters with clarity and confidence. Congratulations to Joel and Lainie on this well-deserved recognition.

Learn more about our immigration law services at gaimmigrationlawyers.com

05/21/2026

Your company is expanding to the U.S. Who's going to lead it?
The L-1 visa was built for exactly this moment - transferring key personnel from a Canadian (or other foreign) entity to a U.S. office. There are two tracks: L-1A for executives and managers, and L-1B for employees with specialized knowledge that's critical to the business. What makes L-1 powerful for growing companies is the combination of speed and flexibility. No labour market test is required, meaning you skip the PERM process entirely. L-1A holders can often pursue EB-1C green cards on a faster track. Spouses of L-1 holders are eligible for work authorization. And the visa works for new U.S. offices, not just established ones. For Canadian companies with U.S. expansion on the roadmap, immigration planning needs to be part of the conversation from the start.

05/19/2026

The road to Canadian citizenship is longer than most people think - but it's clearer than you might expect. You start by becoming a Permanent Resident, then physically live in Canada for at least 1,095 days out of the five years before you apply - roughly three years. You'll need to file taxes for at least three of those years, demonstrate language ability in English or French, and pass a citizenship knowledge test before taking the Oath. One thing many people miss: time spent in Canada as a temporary resident can count toward physical presence, but only at half the rate and capped at 365 days. Every person's timeline looks a little different. If you're already a PR and wondering when the clock starts or stops, that's exactly the kind of question we love to answer.

05/14/2026

Yes, the O-1 is for individuals of "extraordinary ability"- but that's a legal standard, not a celebrity threshold. In practice, O-1 applicants have included film directors, senior software engineers with notable publications or patents, athletes performing at a high competitive level, artists with significant exhibition history, business executives with recognized industry impact, and researchers with peer-reviewed work. The standard is whether you're among the small percentage who have risen to the top of your field. Evidence matters far more than fame.
If you have awards, meaningful press coverage, a salary well above your peers, critical roles in distinguished organizations, or contributions that have genuinely moved your industry forward, you may have a stronger O-1 case than you think.
📩 Curious whether you qualify?
Let's take a look at your profile: https://gaimmigrationlawyers.com/contact/

05/12/2026

Canadian employers: when did you last audit your immigration compliance? If you employ Temporary Foreign Workers and the answer is "never"or "a while ago"- that's worth paying attention to. We help employers review their current TFW complement, flag gaps, and build a compliance program that holds up to scrutiny. Whether you have been tapped for a random Employer Compliance Review for the first time or your work force includes a team of work permit holders, we can help you do it right.
📩 Have questions about your obligations as a Canadian employer? Reach out to our lawyers at gaimmigrationlawyers.com/contact

05/07/2026

You don't need a green card to build a business in the United States.
The E-2 Treaty Investor Visa lets Canadian citizens invest in a U.S. business or start a new one and live and work there while running it. There's no fixed investment amount in the law - what counts as "substantial" depends on the size and nature of the enterprise. Buying an existing business works just as well as starting one. Spouses are eligible for work authorization, and the visa is renewable indefinitely as long as the business continues to operate.
For entrepreneurs who want a meaningful U.S. presence without giving up their Canadian roots, E-2 is worth a serious look.
Contact us at gaimmigrationlawyers.com

05/05/2026

Expanding your U.S. business into Canada? Here's what most companies miss about moving their people across the border. The CUSMA agreement creates real pathways for American and Mexican professionals to work in Canada without going through the full LMIA process. Engineers, accountants, lawyers, and scientists can qualify, processing is often faster than a standard work permit, and intra-company transfers can move managers, executives and specialized knowledge workers under separate provisions. There are also options for US companies investing in Canada or who already have customers and clients in Canada through the Investor Work Permit or Trader Work Permit.
But here's where companies get tripped up: eligibility isn't automatic. The job title has to match a qualifying category, the credentials have to align, and the documentation has to be airtight at the border. One missed document can delay work permit results.
Aside from work permits, we regularly advise businesses on cross-border staffing, permanent residence strategies and full workforce immigration compliance.