Canadian Immigration Podcast

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 couples,...

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 High-Wage O...

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 why many...

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 qualifies for pe...

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 paradox Gene...

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 category-ba...

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 before the...

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 immigratio...

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 affect future...

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 costly mis...

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 review matte...

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 and source o...

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 minimum eli...

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 practi...

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 purpose...

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 trigger empl...

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, boosting...

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, and how to...

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 ever to...

Episode Summary In this episode of the Canadian Immigration Podcast, host Mark Holthe is joined by guest co-host Igor Kyryliuk to tackle one of the most critical yet misunderstood components of Express Entry applications: responding to Procedural Fairness Letters (PFLs) . This episode is part of the "Time’s Up" series and shines a spotlight on the rising trend of misrepresentation allegations and...

Episode Summary In this episode of the Canadian Immigration Podcast, host Mark Holthe and co-host Alicia Backman-Beharry unpack one of the most overlooked but impactful aspects of Express Entry: language testing. As one of the few areas where applicants can directly influence their CRS score, the language test often becomes the make-or-break factor in receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA). Mark a...

Episode Summary In Episode 167 of the Canadian Immigration Podcast, Mark Holthe and Alicia Backman- Beharry dive into one of the trickiest parts of Express Entry: properly claiming Canadian work experience under the Canadian Experience Class ( CEC). What sounds simple— just “ a year of work”— is actually a legal and technical maze. From self- employment issues and vacation rules to miscalculating...

Episode Summary In this essential episode of the Canadian Immigration Podcast, Mark Holthe and Alicia Backman-Beharry return with another instalment in the Express Entry “Getting it Right” series—this time focusing on physicians and healthcare professionals. While doctors may excel in their field, navigating Canadian immigration law is a whole different beast. Mark and Alicia explore the unique ch...

Episode Summary In this critical episode of the Canadian Immigration Podcast, Mark Holthe and Alicia Backman-Beharry dive deep into one of the most overlooked yet high-stakes sections of the Express Entry process: the statutory information questions in your eAPR. Whether you’re answering questions about criminal history, prior visa refusals, or previous refugee claims, one careless answer—or a fai...

Episode Summary In this episode of the Canadian Immigration Podcast, Mark Holthe and co-host Alicia Backman-Beharry dive into one of the most critical yet confusing areas of Express Entry: what happens when your situation changes after receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) . Whether it’s a job change, a new family member, or realizing you made an error in your profile, what you do next could mean...