Canada has recently implemented a series of innovative immigration measures aimed at expediting the reunification of families and addressing labor shortages within the country. These new initiatives strive to streamline the immigration process, allowing families to be together sooner and supporting newcomers in finding employment opportunities.
Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, together with Hedy Fry, Member of Parliament for Vancouver Centre, unveiled several significant measures to bolster family reunification. One of the key improvements is the expedited processing of temporary resident visas (TRV) for spousal applicants. With the introduction of dedicated processing tools, spouses can anticipate faster processing times and a smoother application experience.
Moreover, a new open work permit has been introduced exclusively for spousal and family class applicants. This policy enables these individuals to seek employment immediately after submitting a complete permanent residence application. The open work permit serves as a means for spouses, partners, and dependents to support themselves financially while awaiting the finalization of their permanent residency status.
To provide additional stability and support, Minister Fraser announced that spousal applicants, as well as other open work permit holders, will have the opportunity to extend their work permits for an additional 18 months if their permits expire between August 1 and the end of 2023. This extension will ensure uninterrupted employment for individuals navigating the immigration process.
The implementation of these new measures has yielded positive results thus far, with an impressive 93% approval rate among applicants who have utilized the streamlined processes. As a result, most applications are now expected to be processed within a 30-day timeframe, significantly reducing the waiting period for families to reunite.
The introduction of these initiatives is in alignment with Minister Fraser’s mandate letter commitment to strengthening family reunification and facilitating temporary resident status for spouses, partners, and dependent children awaiting permanent residence. Furthermore, these measures reflect Canada’s ongoing dedication to addressing labor market demands through strategic immigration policies.
The government of Canada has made significant strides in enhancing client service and expediting application processing. In 2022 alone, over 5.2 million applications were successfully finalized across multiple lines of business, ensuring prompt decisions for millions of individuals.
Canada remains committed to fostering economic growth and addressing labor shortages through immigration. Last year, the country issued more than 1,075,000 work permits and work permit extensions, underscoring its dedication to attracting talent and filling labor gaps.
With the implementation of these new immigration measures, Canada aims to enhance the immigration experience for families, ensuring a swift and seamless reunification process, while simultaneously meeting its labor market needs.