Family reunification is a key component of Canada’s immigration policy.
It was stated in a report published by IRCC on November 29, 2017, that the department would implement a program to grant temporary residency (TRV) to spouses and children abroad while they wait for their permanent residency applications to be processed, thereby speeding up the process of reuniting families.
An array of new initiatives aimed at accelerating family reunification were unveiled by Immigration Minister Sean Fraser on May 26.
Among the policies that have been updated are:
- A shorter processing time for temporary resident visas (TRVs) for spouses.
- Tools for processing spousal TRV applications that are new and dedicated.
- Spouses and family class applicants now have access to an open work permit.
- Extending open work permits for those whose permits expire from August 1st through August 31st, 2023.
With the new processing tools, the IRCC can process straightforward applications more quickly. Recent technology development at IRCC allows the Department to assess the probability of a person qualifying for permanent residence. And place them in a category that is easier to approve by IRCC officers, according to Minister Fraser. Family sponsorship is an option for people applying for spousal TRVs. And it has an approval rate of more than 98% for spouses and their children.
All spouses of candidates who have already applied for permanent resident status are now eligible for TRV (visitor) visas, according to the minister. As part of the future standard, these applications will also be processed within 30 days. And spouses and dependents will be able to access tailored processing procedures.
If their existing work permits expire between August 1 and the end of 2023, open work permit holders can apply for an 18-month extension on June 7th. There are estimated to be some 25,000 people affected, including spouses and dependents of most temporary workers, spouses of international students, and permanent residence applicants. As well as their spouses and dependents who are waiting for their permanent residency determination.
Open work permits for IMP and TFWP
Since January 30, spouses of Temporary Foreign Worker program participants and international mobility program participants are eligible to apply for open work permits.
There will be no change in the policy until 2025. In accordance with IRCC, temporary work permits will improve financial stability for TFW spouses, dependent children, and common-law partners, thus reducing some of the pressure on TFWs by enabling families to remain together and integrate into their communities.
Children 16 and older of major candidates at all skill levels are also included in the metric. More than 200,000 foreign employees and their families are expected to be able to work in Canada with the help of this program, which is expected to alleviate the labor shortage and boost the economy.
Immigrant sponsorship for spouses, partners, or children
Family-class immigration to Canada is the second most common type of immigration after economic-class immigration.
The Immigration Levels Plan 2023–2025 will see Canada accept 118,000 permanent residents through family classes per year by the end of 2025. All family members, including grandparents, parents, grandchildren, dependent children, and partners and spouses, are included.
- Sponsors of family members must meet the following criteria:
- Citizens of Canada or permanent residents.
- A minimum age of 18 is required.
- Support for several years for the sponsored individual.
Depending on the number of sponsored individuals, the amount of assistance required varies. As part of the sponsorship agreement, sponsors are also required to sign an agreement holding them financially responsible for supporting their families for several years. Spouses and partners are still subject to this even if their relationship ends.
