What Changed? And Why Is The Greater Toronto & Hamilton Area Feeling It The Most?
Over the past year, immigration rules in Canada have changed drastically, and nowhere are the effects more visible than in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area. Students are losing work opportunities, spouses are being denied permits, and families are scrambling to stay together. These constant shifts have left many residents vulnerable to refusal or loss of status. Having an experienced immigration lawyer isn’t optional anymore — it’s essential.
Closed Work Permit Policy
Many foreign workers in the Greater Toronto & Hamilton Area are on closed permits, which tie them to a single employer. If the job ends or conditions become unfair, workers risk losing their status. A new temporary policy allows switching employers, but the process is tricky.
Immigration in Canada Is Changing Fast
Over the past year, Canada’s immigration system has seen more rule changes than any other period in the last decade. For students, workers, and families across Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Vaughan, Scarborough, Milton, Oakville, and Hamilton, these updates have brought confusion, delays, and unexpected refusals.
If you’re unsure whether you can stay, extend your permit, or bring your family here, you’re not alone — and you shouldn’t have to figure it out yourself.
At Brace Law, our immigration lawyers in the GTA and Hamilton Area stay ahead of every IRCC update, guiding clients through complex policies with clarity and precision.
Book a Consultation With a Top Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) Immigration Lawyer Today
We Can Help You Find Solutions To The New Challenges Of Canadian Immigration
Every change in the law creates new risks, but also new strategies. At Brace Law, we take the confusion out of immigration and build clear, realistic pathways for students, workers, and families in the Greater Toronto & Hamilton Area. Learn below about how we address the biggest immigration challenges faced by Ontario residents.
01
Brace Law Can Help With
Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) Issues
The PGWP once guaranteed that international graduates could work in Canada. Now, it depends entirely on what and where you studied.
Common Problems
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Your college program is no longer on IRCC’s PGWP-approved list.
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Your PGWP was refused for “ineligible field of study.”
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You submitted late or with missing documents.
Brace Law Can Help
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Verify if your program and timeline still qualify.
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Rebuild and appeal refused PGWP applications.
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Plan alternatives — spousal sponsorship, employer permits, or bridging options.
Our PGWP lawyers across the GTA help graduates protect their future and stay on the path to permanent residence.
02
Brace Law Can Help With
Spousal Work Permit Denials
After January 2025, most spouses of college-level students lost eligibility for open work permits. Families throughout the GTAH are now struggling to stay together and financially stable.
If You’re Affected
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Your spouse’s permit was refused under the new rules.
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Your partner’s occupation does not meet TEER 0–3 criteria.
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Your children were excluded from dependent status.
Brace Law Can Help
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Assess eligibility and appeal wrongful refusals.
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Find employer-specific permit or sponsorship alternatives.
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Rebuild applications with clear evidence and legal support.
Our spousal sponsorship lawyers in the GTA help families stay together despite tightened rules.
03
Brace Law Can Help With
Study Permit Applications Under the Cap
The federal cap and PAL system have tightened student approvals, especially in Ontario.
The Impact
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Private colleges in Mississauga and Brampton receive fewer PAL allocations.
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Students face delays or refusals before full submission.
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Extensions are being reviewed with increased scrutiny.
Brace Law Can Help
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Secure your PAL quickly and file error-free applications.
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Strengthen study-permit extensions and appeals.
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Monitor IRCC updates to meet cap deadlines before they close.
Our study-permit lawyers in Toronto and Mississauga ensure students don’t lose their chance to study and work in Canada.
04
Brace Law Can Help With
Closed Work Permits
Thousands of temporary workers in construction, logistics and manufacturing hold closed permits tied to one employer. Losing that job often means losing status.
Key Issues
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Changing employers requires new authorization from IRCC.
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Temporary policies allow switching, but only if done correctly.
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Employers need valid LMIA to hire legally.
Brace Law Can Help
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Prepare and file change-of-employer applications to avoid gaps.
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Maintain your status while transitioning.
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Handle LMIA documentation for GTA employers to keep hires compliant.
With our work-permit lawyers in Toronto and Hamilton, you can change jobs without risking your stay.
05
Brace Law Can Help With
Reduced Family Sponsorship Targets
Canada’s 2025–2027 plan cut family-class approvals, lengthening processing times for spousal and parent sponsorships. IRCC is also rejecting files with minor gaps.
What Families Face
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Multi-year delays and increased refusal rates.
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More evidence required to prove genuine relationships.
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Extra review time for financial documents.
Brace Law Can Help
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Compile airtight applications with complete proof and support.
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Manage appeals and re-filings for faster results.
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Keep you informed through every stage of the process.
Families across the GTA trust our family-sponsorship lawyers to reunite loved ones sooner.
06
Brace Law Can Help With
Refusals & Appeals
Most refusals happen because of missing documents or small technical errors. The good news is that many are fixable if handled quickly and correctly.
Brace Law Can Help
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Review refusal letters to pinpoint errors.
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File appeals or judicial reviews within legal deadlines.
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Submit strong re-applications that address IRCC concerns.
Our immigration appeal lawyers across the GTAH help turn refusals into approvals.
Why Do Ontario Residents Choose brace law?
We know Greater Toronto & Hamilton Area is full of immigration lawyers, and many clients feel pressure to choose based on language or cultural background. The truth is, your future in Canada depends on skill, not just familiarity. Learn why Brace Law stands apart.
Proven Track Record
Brace Law has been recognized as a top-rated immigration law firm in Ontario since 2020. We have successfully helped students, workers, and families with complex PGWP cases, spousal work permit restrictions, and family sponsorships. When approvals are harder to get, experience matters more than promises.
Local Focus, Real Expertise
We work with clients in the GTHA every single day. That means we know how the recent study permit caps, PAL requirements, and sponsorship limits are affecting this community specifically. Our strategies are built on local insight and proven legal knowledge, not generic advice.
Clear and Honest Guidance
Many lawyers will tell you what you want to hear. At Brace Law, we tell you the truth, even if it is difficult, and then we give you a clear plan forward. Clients trust us because we combine honesty with real solutions that get results.
Multilingual Team
We speak your language, but we also speak the language of immigration law fluently. This combination allows us to communicate clearly while also navigating the system with precision. Familiarity helps, but favorable results come from skill and experience.
Personalized Attention
No two cases are alike. We take the time to understand your unique circumstances, gather the right documentation, and build the strongest possible application. Our clients never feel like just another file on a desk.
Award Winning Multilingual Team Serving Ontario’s Diverse Communities
Brace Law is a trusted law firm with offices in Vaughan and Oakville Ontario. We proudly serve clients throughout the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA), providing experienced legal representation in criminal law, immigration law, civil litigation, family law, real estate law, and wills and estates.
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Your Fears Addressed.
Canada has limited the number of study permits until 2026, and Ontario has some of the strictest limits. This means fewer approvals for students applying to schools like Sheridan, Humber, and other private colleges in Ontario. Brace Law helps by making sure your application is complete, competitive, and backed by the required Provincial Attestation Letter.
As of January 2025, only spouses of students in master’s, PhD, or certain professional programs qualify for an open work permit. If your spouse was denied, we explore alternatives such as employer-supported permits, sponsorship, or other legal options to protect your family’s income.
Not all diploma programs qualify anymore. IRCC updated the list of eligible programs in July 2025, and many shorter programs no longer lead to a Post-Graduation Work Permit. We assess your program against the new list and build a strategy to help you stay in Canada if you are no longer eligible.
Yes, but it is not automatic. A temporary policy allows workers to apply to change employers or occupations before receiving a new permit, but the process is complex and time-sensitive. Brace Law guides you step by step to make sure you do not lose your status while switching.
Canada reduced the number of spots for spousal, child, and parent sponsorships under the 2025 to 2027 immigration plan. This means longer waits and more refusals. We help families prepare complete applications with strong supporting evidence to increase approval chances.
You can apply on your own, but with caps, restrictions, and lower approval targets, mistakes are more costly than ever. A lawyer ensures your application meets every requirement, avoids common errors, and gives you the best possible chance at success.
Because results matter. We are a top-rated firm serving all of Ontario since 2020, trusted by students, workers, and families. Our expertise with the newest rules, combined with honest guidance and personalized strategies, has helped hundreds of clients secure approvals even under stricter conditions.
It may feel that way with all the new restrictions, but most of the time there is still a path forward. Whether it is through a different program, an employer-based permit, or a sponsorship strategy, we find options that people did not know they had.
No. In many cases, refusals can be challenged or reapplied with stronger documentation and legal arguments. The sooner you act, the more options you have. Brace Law helps clients recover from setbacks and move forward with renewed confidence.
Yes. Immigration in Canada is getting tougher, but there are still legal pathways available. The key is knowing which ones apply to you. With the right guidance, many clients who felt hopeless have been able to stay, work, or reunite with their families.
Then you are exactly the kind of person who benefits from working with a lawyer. One small error or missing document can mean months of delays or even losing status. We make sure your application is correct the first time so you can move forward with peace of mind.
Family separation is one of the hardest outcomes of these new rules. While Canada has reduced targets, strong applications are still being approved. We fight to give your family the best chance to stay together and work toward reunification as quickly as possible.
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Bella Ottino
I had a very good experience with Lucy . She was very helpful through the process. I Definitely recommend this law corporation!
Julie Garito
I recently had the pleasure of working with Brace Law on a new mortgage. I want to say that it was the most professional experience I have had for a closing transaction EVER! The lawyer was thorough, and took the time to go through every single part of the agreement, answering all of my questions. She was polite, kind and professional. A true 10 of 10 experience. I will absolutely use them again - and look forward to it!
Lauren Hume
I could not recommend Sandra enough! She was amazing throughout situation and was nothing short of supportive! I highly recommend Sandra and the team at Brace Law!
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