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Canadian Immigration Podcast

Canadian Immigration Podcast

Mark Holthe 185 Episodes Jul 27, 2026

This podcast is all about Canadian Immigration law, policy, and practice. Periodically Canadian immigration lawyer Mark Holthe will address various topics related to the Canadian immigration process. If you are looking for up-to-date information on where the government is going with the latest round of changes, this is the place to come. If you are looking for specific answers, tips to completing IRCC application forms, and other useful information, visit the Canadian Immigration Answers podcast also on iTunes or visit our website at www.holthelaw.com.

Episodes

CIP 189: Express Entry Reforms: Episode 10 - 95 CRS Points at Risk - French, Study, and Sibling
CIP 189: Express Entry Reforms: Episode 10 - 95 CRS Points at Risk - French, Study, and Sibling Jul 27, 2026 2090 Episode Summary: In this episode, Mark Holthe and Alicia Backman-Beharry examine three Express Entry bonus-point factors that could soon be removed or refined—up to 50 points for French-language ability, 30 points for Canadian education, and 15 points for having a sibling in Canada. They explain why IRCC considers these factors weaker predictors of long-term economic success, which applic
CIP 188: Express Entry Reforms: Episode 9 - The Spousal Penalty - Can't be gone soon enough
CIP 188: Express Entry Reforms: Episode 9 - The Spousal Penalty - Can't be gone soon enough Jul 6, 2026 2079 Episode Summary: In this episode, Mark Holthe and Alicia Backman-Beharry examine one of the most controversial elements of Canada's proposed Express Entry reforms—the planned removal of the spousal points grid that currently reduces Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores for applicants with accompanying spouses. They explain how the current system penalizes many married and common-law
CIP 187: Express Entry Reforms: Episode 8 - Your Job Offer is Worth ZERO (But not for long)
CIP 187: Express Entry Reforms: Episode 8 - Your Job Offer is Worth ZERO (But not for long) Jul 2, 2026 2945 Episode Summary: In this episode, Mark Holthe and Alicia Backman-Beharry examine the return of job offers as a proposed factor in Express Entry and why this change could become one of the most significant elements of Canada's immigration reforms. They explain why job offer points were eliminated due to widespread LMIA fraud, how IRCC plans to reintroduce job offers through the proposed Hi
CIP 186: Express Entry Reforms: Episode 7 - Your Job Title, Your Score - Who Gets the Boost?
CIP 186: Express Entry Reforms: Episode 7 - Your Job Title, Your Score - Who Gets the Boost? Jun 29, 2026 2742 Episode Summary: In this episode, Mark Holthe and Alicia Backman-Beharry break down one of the most significant proposed changes to Express Entry: the new High-Wage Occupation (HWO) factor. They explain why IRCC believes pre-landing earnings are a strong predictor of economic success, how the proposed occupation-based multiplier could dramatically boost CRS scores for some applicants, and
CIP 185: Express Entry Reforms: Episode 6 - 3 Doors to 1: Who Gets In, Who Gets Locked Out?
CIP 185: Express Entry Reforms: Episode 6 - 3 Doors to 1: Who Gets In, Who Gets Locked Out? Jun 26, 2026 2345 Episode Summary: In this episode, Mark Holthe and Alicia Backman-Beharry examine one of the biggest proposed Express Entry reforms: merging the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Canadian Experience Class, and Federal Skilled Trades Program into a single pathway. They explain who stands to benefit, who may be disadvantaged, and why simplifying the system could dramatically change who qualifi
CIP 184: Express Entry Reforms: Episode 5 - Where Do You Stand Now?
CIP 184: Express Entry Reforms: Episode 5 - Where Do You Stand Now? Jun 23, 2026 3728 Episode Summary: In this episode, Mark Holthe and Alicia Backman-Beharry continue their series on major Express Entry reforms expected in Canada. They explain why a high CRS score may no longer guarantee a realistic path to permanent residence, and break down the growing divide between general draws and category-based draws in Express Entry. Key Topics Discussed The 169 versus 505 CRS pa
CIP 183: Express Entry Reforms: Episode 4 - The Biggest Shake-up Since 2015
CIP 183: Express Entry Reforms: Episode 4 - The Biggest Shake-up Since 2015 Jun 18, 2026 2905 Episode Summary: In this episode, Mark Holthe and Alicia Backman-Beharry continue their series on major Express Entry reforms expected in Canada. They explain why the public consultation on minimum eligibility may not be the reform that most affects applicants, and break down the three tracks applicants need to watch: regulatory reform, CRS changes through ministerial instructions, and ca
CIP 182: Express Entry Reforms: Episode 3 - What's Changing, What Isn't, and Your Early Game Plan
CIP 182: Express Entry Reforms: Episode 3 - What's Changing, What Isn't, and Your Early Game Plan Jun 15, 2026 3491 Episode Summary: In this episode, Mark Holthe and Alicia Backman-Beharry continue their series on major Express Entry reforms expected in Canada. They break down the two-track timeline for Express Entry changes, what is expected to change quickly through ministerial instructions, what will take longer through regulatory amendments, and how applicants should assess their current strategy b
CIP 181: Express Entry Reforms: Episode 2 - Why Canada is Rewriting the Rules
CIP 181: Express Entry Reforms: Episode 2 - Why Canada is Rewriting the Rules Jun 11, 2026 3074 Episode Summary: In this episode, Mark Holthe and Alicia Backman-Beharry continue their series on major Express Entry reforms expected in Canada. They examine IRCC’s own data on Express Entry outcomes, why Canada is still proposing major reforms to a system that appears to be working, and how high wages, job offers, Canadian experience, French language ability, category-based draws, and i
CIP 180: Express Entry Reforms: Episode 1 - Express Entry Explained
CIP 180: Express Entry Reforms: Episode 1 - Express Entry Explained Jun 8, 2026 2808 Episode Summary: In this episode, Mark Holthe and Alicia Backman-Beharry launch a new series on major Express Entry reforms expected in Canada. They explain how Express Entry works, why it is not a permanent residence program itself, what applicants need to understand about the current system, and how upcoming changes to CRS points, category-based draws, and program structures could affec
CIP 179: Tax Implications of Moving to Canada
CIP 179: Tax Implications of Moving to Canada May 9, 2026 2443 Episode Summary: In this special episode, Mark Holthe speaks with cross-border tax consultant Sonya Dolguina about the financial and tax implications of moving from the United States to Canada. They discuss why tax residency is separate from immigration status, how Canada taxes worldwide income, what U.S. citizens need to know before relocating, and why proactive planning can help avoid c
CIP 178: Black Box Immigration - Express Entry and AI Hallucinations
CIP 178: Black Box Immigration - Express Entry and AI Hallucinations May 7, 2026 2093 Episode Summary: In this special episode, Mark Holthe speaks with immigration lawyer Luca Vukolic about a bizarre Express Entry refusal involving a French citizen and McMaster research associate whose application was refused based on job duties from an entirely unrelated robotics role. They discuss how generative AI may have been involved in the processing or refusal letter, why human rev

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