Family reunification is the core pillar of Canada’s immigration strategy. Canada Family Sponsorship makes open work permits available for outland applications. This new measure by IRCC aims to make it possible for more families to be together.
Spouses, partners, as well as dependents of permanent residents, temporary workers, students, & Canadian citizens already in Canada may now be eligible for an Open Work Permit.
Previously, open work permits were only available to applicants via inland sponsorship or those already living in Canada on a TRV. This new measure indicates that individuals applying from outside Canada are now eligible/ suitable for open work permits.
In addition, family members are defined as spouses, conjugal partners, common-law partners, & dependent children who are 18 years of age.
IRCC aims to process all spousal applications within a time frame of 12 months.
Eligibility For Open Work Permits
As per IRCC, family members with a valid temporary resident status have maintained their status or are eligible for & have applied to restore their status. Along with that, they also have the same residential address as their sponsor in Canada when they apply for an open work permit.
Moreover, IRCC’s public policy asserts that officers might grant an open work permit to foreign nationals who meet either of the below-mentioned conditions.
A foreign national:
- Is a principal applicant who has submitted a Permanent Residence application under the common-law partner/ spouse.
- Is a principal applicant who has submitted a PR application as a conjugal partner, spouse, or common-law partner under the family class that has been accepted for processing by IRCC.
- Has submitted a work permit application, where the work permit duration is two years.
- Is the subject of a sponsorship application submitted by their Canadian citizen spouse, conjugal partner, or common-law partner.
- Has the identical residential address as their sponsor at the time of application.
- Has a temporary resident status or is eligible for & has applied for restoration of status.
Or
A foreign national:
- Is a dependent child that has been included as an accompanying family member for a PR application.
- Has submitted a work permit application with two years of work permit duration.
- Has the same residential address as the principal applicant & their sponsor in Canada at the time of application.
- Has valid temporary resident status or is eligible for & has applied for status restoration.
Canada Family Sponsorship: Nation’s Ongoing Commitment To Unify Families
Sean Fraser declared the measures in Canada Family Sponsorship on May 26. The introduction of open work permit for outland spousal sponsorship came along with other family reunification measures like:
- Faster TRV processing time for spousal applicants
- New & dedicated processing tools for TRV applicants
- Open work permit extensions for holders expiring between August 1 & December 31, 2023
Sean Fraser stated that IRCC is committed to reuniting families faster & enabling them to work & support themselves quickly once they are here. Thus, Canada is helping immigrants/ newcomers to attain their true potential while reinforcing Canada’s economy.