Free Webinar: The Latest on Canadian and U.S. Business Immigration Streams, Brought to you by Plan Writers

As we move through 2026, the landscape for North American business immigration has undergone a dramatic transformation. In Canada, the sunsetting of the traditional Start-Up Visa (SUV) and the introduction of a more selective, targeted “Entrepreneur Pilot” have forced practitioners to pivot. Meanwhile, south of the border, the U.S. EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program is entering its most critical window yet.

This webinar is designed for immigration lawyers who need to master the latest policy shifts to provide high-level strategic counsel. We will dive deep into the U.S. EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act (RIA), specifically focusing on why the September 30, 2026, grandfathering deadline is a non-negotiable date for your clients. We will also analyze Canada’s “sustainable growth” targets and the new priority sectors—including AI and Health Tech—that are now the primary pathways for corporate and entrepreneurial moves.

What You Will Learn:

• The EB-5 “Golden Window”: Why filing I-526E petitions before September 30, 2026, is essential to lock in grandfathering protections and current investment thresholds ($800k/$1.05M).

• EB-5 Set-Asides & Speed: How to leverage Rural and High Unemployment Area set-asides to “skip the line” for clients from backlogged countries like China and India.

• Canada’s Entrepreneur Landscape: How to navigate the limited permanent and temporary pathways currently available.

• Sector-Specific Prioritization: Identifying how Canada’s focus on STEM, Healthcare, and Skilled Trades impacts ICT (Intra-Company Transferees) and C11 work permit strategies.

• Cross-Border Troubleshooting: Practical tactics for managing clients who are hedging their bets between Canadian permanent residency and U.S. investor visas in a high-scrutiny environment.

Meet Our Presenters

• Stephen Green is one of the two Managing Partners at Green and Spiegel and is Certified as a Specialist in Immigration Law by The Law Society of Ontario. Stephen has been practising immigration law for over 35 years and has extensive experience in all areas of Canadian immigration. Stephen has been identified for many years as a leading practitioner in immigration law. Stephen is considered a subject matter expert in the field, frequently asked to speak as a panelist, moderator and lecturer.

• Brian J. Halliday, Esq. began his career in immigration law in 1994, joining a small immigration boutique practice as a paralegal. Soon after, he began pursuing his law degree, attending night classes while holding down his full-time position. Mr. Halliday was admitted to the Ohio Bar in 2001, practicing with the same firm, first as an Associate and then a Partner. Mr. Halliday’s practice is focused on immigration and nationality law matters for major corporations, closely-held businesses, international executives, scientists, professionals, immigrant entrepreneurs and investors, and their families. His practice includes responses to complex administrative challenges, as well as litigated and appellate matters for employers and individuals. Mr. Halliday also provides advice and consultation to employers on Form I-9 compliance in both M&A and operational contexts.

• Mathew Khalil is CEO of Plan Writers. Matthew has led the preparation of thousands of business plans, financial models, and economic studies used to raise debt and equity across industries—from startups and operating businesses to large real estate developments, including EB-5 projects. This vantage point has given him a rare view into how capital is actually structured, underwritten, and presented to investors.

• Manuel Ortiz is the Vice President of Global Business Development at FirstPathway Partners. Ortiz has over 20 years of public and private sector finance experience in global and domestic markets. FirstPathway Partners has set itself apart among EB-5 professionals, developers, and fund managers. Since 2008, FirstPathway Partners has assisted hundreds of immigrant investors through the employment-based fifth preference (EB-5) immigrant visa category regional center program, raising millions in EB-5 funds for job-creating enterprises.

Brought to you by Plan Writers