Family reunification stands as a fundamental pillar of Canada’s immigration strategy, and in 2023, significant progress has been made in advancing this commitment. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has implemented various measures to expedite the reunification of families, ensuring that spouses, partners, and children can be together sooner.
Let’s explore the key developments:
- Temporary Resident Status (TRV) Program: In line with the Prime Minister’s mandate, IRCC introduced a program to issue temporary resident status to spouses and children abroad while their permanent residency applications are being processed. This initiative aims to minimize the time families spend apart.
- Faster Processing and Dedicated Tools: On May 26, Immigration Minister Sean Fraser announced new measures to accelerate the reunification process. Spousal applicants for temporary resident visas (TRV) now benefit from faster processing times. IRCC has also introduced dedicated processing tools for spousal TRV applicants, streamlining application processing for non-complex cases.
- Open Work Permit for Spouses and Dependents: A new open work permit has been introduced for spousal and family class applicants. This enables spouses and dependents to work in Canada while their permanent residency applications are in progress, enhancing financial stability and facilitating family integration into Canadian communities.
- Open Work Permit Extensions: Open work permit holders, including spouses of temporary workers and international students, as well as dependents of permanent resident applicants, have become eligible to extend their permits for 18 months if their current permits expire between August 1st and the end of 2023. This measure benefits approximately 25,000 individuals, ensuring they can continue working and residing in Canada during the application process.
- Open Work Permits for TFWP and IMP: Since January 30, open work permits have been made available for spouses, dependents, and common-law partners of participants in the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) and International Mobility Program (IMP). This initiative, set to last until 2025, aims to alleviate financial stress, enhance family stability, and promote integration within Canadian communities.
- Family Class Sponsorship: Family class immigration, the second most popular method of immigrating to Canada, continues to play a significant role. Under the Immigration Levels Plan 2023-2025, Canada aims to welcome 118,000 permanent residents annually through family class sponsorship by the end of 2025. This includes spouses, partners, dependent children, parents, and grandparents.
To be eligible as a sponsor, individuals must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents, 18 years of age or older, and capable of providing financial support to the sponsored person(s) for several years. The level of support required varies based on the number of individuals being sponsored. Sponsors must also sign a financial undertaking, which holds them legally responsible for supporting their family members, even in the event of a relationship breakdown.
These advancements highlight Canada’s unwavering commitment to family reunification and the importance of keeping families together. By implementing these measures, Canada aims to reduce separation periods, enhance family well-being, and promote social integration.
Are you in need of professional assistance to navigate the complexities of family reunification in Canada? Look no further than Brace Law. Our team of experienced immigration lawyers is here to help you understand your options and guide you through the process based on your unique circumstances.
With offices conveniently located in Oakville and Vaughan, Brace Law is well-equipped to serve clients from various cultural backgrounds, offering services in multiple languages, including English, Italian, Albanian, Arabic, Punjabi, Farsi, Hindi, Malayalam, Tamil, and Urdu.
Don’t let the complexities of family reunification in Canada overwhelm you. Contact Brace Law today at 905-815-6555 or email us at admin@bracelaw.ca to schedule a consultation. Rest assured, with Brace Law by your side, your case will be handled with professionalism, care, and expertise.
