FAMILY REUNIFICATION MEASURES BEING TAKEN IN CANADA

It can be stressful staying away from family members and not knowing when we will see them again. This was the case for many applicants that sponsored their spouse and children to come to Canada, but were left in a long ordeal of waiting for a response. Pursuant to the situation that existed for the past few years, Canada has introduced new measures to quickly reunite family members while they await answers to their sponsorship applications.

Some of the new measures introduced are:

● Faster temporary resident visa (TRV) processing times for spousal applicants
● New and dedicated processing tools for spousal TRV applicants
● A new open work permit for spousal and family class applicants
● Open work permit extensions for open work permit holders expiring between August 1st and the end of 2023

SPEEDY TRV (TEMPORARY RESIDENT VISA) PROCESSING

The importance of reuniting family members has been recognized. Previously many temporary resident visa applications of spouses and children were refused on the basis that they would not leave the country. Most of these applicants were ultimately approved for permanent residency through family sponsorship. Thus, under the new outlook there is a high rate of approval for temporary resident visas. Up to 98% of these applications are being approved.

NEW AND DEDICATED PROCESSING TOOLS

With an end goal to assist reunification, IRCC will present dedicated handling tools for spousal TRV candidates. This move plans to essentially diminish handling times to a span of 30 days, permitting relatives to rapidly join their friends and family in Canada.
Recently restricted to the inland spousal program, open work permits will currently be accessible to candidates applying from outside Canada too. This open door will empower family members to work while their applications under the spousal/family programs are being handled.

NEW OPEN WORK PERMIT FOR FAMILY CLASS APPLICANTS

Under the new measures, spouses applying for permanent residence from outside Canada through the Family Class now qualify for an Open Work Permit. This allows them to come to Canada and work while their application is being processed.
Previously, Open Work Permits were only available to spouses already in Canada and applying for permanent residence through the Spouse Or Common Law Partner In Canada Class.