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Canadian Immigration Podcast

Canadian Immigration Podcast

Mark Holthe 185 episodes Latest Jun 11, 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 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 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 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 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
CIP 177: Farming your way to Alberta - Who qualifies and who gets left out? Apr 13, 2026 2386 Episode Summary: In this episode, Mark Holthe and Alicia Backman-Beharry discuss Alberta’s AAIP Farm Stream, a niche immigration pathway for experienced farmers. They explain who may qualify, what documents are needed, and the practical challenges of using this stream to establish a farm in Alberta. Key Topics Discussed Alberta Farm Stream overview Farm management experience Net worth an
CIP 176: Express Entry Getting it Right - Can You Claim Concurrent Work? Apr 10, 2026 1392 Episode Summary In this episode of the Canadian Immigration Podcast, Mark Holthe and Alicia Backman-Beharry explain whether applicants can claim Canadian and foreign work experience at the same time for Express Entry. They break down how concurrent work experience may help boost CRS scores, especially through skill transferability points, but also why applicants must be careful to meet mi
CIP 175: Express Entry Getting it Right - 2026 Category Based Draws Mar 12, 2026 1879 Episode Summary In this episode of the Canadian Immigration Podcast, Mark Holthe continues the Express Entry: Getting It Right series by exploring what the future of Express Entry looks like in 2026. Mark breaks down recent changes to category-based draws, updates announced by the immigration minister, and how these shifts affect CRS scores and invitations to apply. He also explains three
CIP 174: Express Entry Getting it Right - How your spouse can make or break your CRS score Jan 8, 2026 2455 Episode Summary In this episode of the Canadian Immigration Podcast, Mark Holthe and co-host Alicia Backman-Beharry kick off 2026 by continuing their Express Entry: Getting It Right series—this time tackling one of the most misunderstood and error-prone areas of the system: spousal points under Express Entry. They break down who is considered a spouse or common-law partner for immigration
CIP 173: Business Immigration Series - LMIA Violations Dec 13, 2025 1643 Episode Summary In this episode of the Canadian Immigration Podcast, Mark Holthe and co-host Alicia Backman-Beharry return to their Business Immigration series to unpack a costly misconception: promotions, bonuses, and job changes can be LMIA violations. With year-end raises and holiday bonuses top of mind, they explain why even well-intentioned changes to a foreign worker’s role can trig
CIP 172: Immigration Levels Plans 2026-2028 - How It impacts you! Dec 5, 2025 2422 Episode Summary In this episode of the Canadian Immigration Podcast, Mark Holthe and co-host Alicia Backman-Beharry break down Canada’s new 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan and what it really means for workers, students, and families trying to stay in Canada. They explain how the government is cutting new temporary residents, modestly shifting permanent residence toward economic classes,
CIP 171: Spousal Sponsorship - Work permit options for spouses and kids Oct 21, 2025 2365 Episode Summary In this episode of the Canadian Immigration Podcast, hosts Mark Holthe and Alicia Backman-Beharry shine a light on one of the most overlooked pathways to staying in Canada: the open work permit for spouses and dependent children of permanent residence sponsorship applicants. They clarify who qualifies, how the process differs for in-Canada vs. Family Class applications, an
CIP 170: Business Immigration Series - What is going on with LMIAs in 2025 Jul 23, 2025 1653 Episode Summary In this episode of the Canadian Immigration Podcast, host Mark Holthe and immigration lawyer Alicia Backman-Beharry relaunch the Business Immigration Series with a timely update on the evolving LMIA process in 2025. As IRCC and ESDC crack down, employers face stricter rules, higher wage thresholds, and rising refusal rates. They explore what’s changed, why it’s harder than

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