How does H1N1 or the Swine Flu affect Immigration to Canada?
Apparently first discovered in Mexico, the Swine Flu, a respiratory illness, has spread beyond the Mexican borders to Canada, the US, Europe and even Israel . For those who remember the outbreak of the SARS virus five years ago, it was a very stressful time for Torontonians and for other parts of Canada and the world. While SARS took a number of lives, the fears of a world-wide pandemic fortunately did not pan out. It was contained.
H1N1 may affect travel, but not immigration to Canada
Time will tell whether the Swine Flu will become more serious in terms of its toll on human life. Reports in Canada and the US have been encouraging, for those infected seem be in recovery. Despite this, the WHO has raised its alert level and travel advisories have been issued against traveling to Mexico by Canadian authorities.
But unless the Swine Flu really starts to spread and cause a large number of deaths, I do not see it impacting in anyway immigration flow to Canada or to the US. In the short term, there will likely be a slow down in temporary travel but for those who wish to work, study or live in Canada or the US, this outbreak will likely be a non issue–let’s hope so.
President & CEO
Michael Niren
Mr. Niren is CEO of VisaPlace LLC and the President and Managing Partner of VisaPlace Legal Canada, an immigration law firm based in Toronto, and VisaPlace Legal US a law firm registered in The District of Columbia, USA. Mr. Niren is a graduate of Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto, a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada, the Canadian Bar Association’s Citizenship and Immigration Section, American Lawyers Association, and an Associate Member of the American Bar Association.
