On May 26, the immigration minister declared that there would be certain improvements to strengthen family class immigration, which would lead to family reunification in Canada.
The new measures are as follows:
- Faster TRV, i.e., Temporary Resident Visa process Time for applicants coming with their spouses
- New & dedicated tool processing for spousal TRV applicants
- Extension of Open work permit holders expiring between August 1, 2023, to the end of the year
- A new Open work permit for Family class and spousal applicants
The immigration minister began the declaration of family reunification in Canada by explaining that family members from countries requiring visas who have already submitted family class PR applications can apply for temporary resident visas as well to join their sponsors in the country.
He further asserted that IRCC has successfully eliminated the TRV applications backlog. This is for family members whose PR application is being processed.
IRCCs new approach toward spousal TRV applications & Family reunification in Canada has already approved 98% of spousal applications along with their kids. This is done so people can live with their families while they await PR application processing.
In addition, Fraser Said that this new approach would lead to a processing time of 30 days. As a result, family members can now travel to the country rapidly and be with their families.
Moreover, IRCC is launching a new initiative/ campaign that will issue open work permits to spousal applicants along with their dependent children who reside with their Canadian sponsors and have the status of temporary residents.
Partners, dependants, & spouses can apply for and obtain open work permits when they submit a PR application under SPCLC or other family class programs. These Open work permits only allowed for inland spousal programs earlier and are now extended for people applying outside Canada.
Finally, on June 7, the holders of open work permits can extend their permits for 18 months. This will be done via a free facilitated process impacting about 25,000 individuals in Canada.
Moreover, this process for family reunification in Canada will include the following:
- Dependents & spouses of the temporary workers
- Permanent inhabitants & their partners who are waiting for the finalization of their PR
- International applicants
Family Class Sponsorship
Family class sponsorship is the second-largest category under Canada’s immigration-level plan.
This year, Canada expects to welcome 106,500 applicants under the family class category, including 78,000 applicants under the spouses, kids, and partner category, along with 28,500 applicants under the grandparents and parents category.
In addition, by 2025, the country aims to welcome 118,000 immigrants via family-class immigration. Family class sponsorship enables Canadian citizens and permanent inhabitants to sponsor a person to join them in Canada & become a permanent inhabitant.
To qualify as a sponsor, one must:
- Be a citizen of Canada
- Be 18 years old or more
- Ensure that they have not been sponsored as a spouse in the last five years
- Ensure that they haven’t been in prison, been bankrupt, or charged with a serious offense
Common law partners, spouses, & conjugal partners, along with parents, grandparents and children, might be sponsored, provided they meet the eligibility criteria.