Canada’s Family Class and Spouse Work Permits are Open

Canada’s Family Class and Spouse Work Permits: Reuniting Families and Addressing Labor Shortages

Canada is taking significant steps to expedite family reunions and combat labor shortages. The Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Minister has promised faster visa processing and simplified application procedures, leading to quicker family reunions. Open work permits for permit holders and spouse/family class candidates are part of these measures, ultimately facilitating immigration and addressing labor shortages.

Bringing Families Together
Permanent residents in Canada now have the opportunity to bring their families to join them. Spouses and families can be granted open work permits, enabling them to reside and work in the country. This move is particularly crucial in light of the labor shortages that Canada has been facing since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Expedited Visa Processing and Enhanced Application Procedures
Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, Sean Fraser, announced plans to expedite the processing of temporary resident visas (TRVs) for spouses. Special tools will be introduced to streamline TRV applications from spouses. The primary objective is to reunite families more swiftly by allowing them to stay together while awaiting the approval of their permanent residence applications.

Key Initiatives Unveiled
The Canadian government has revealed several critical initiatives to facilitate family reunification and tackle labor shortages:

1. Faster TRVs for Spouse Applicants: Spouse applicants will receive their TRVs more rapidly.
2. Dedicated Tools for Spouse TRV Applicants: New tools will be introduced to specifically handle spouse TRV applications.
3. Launch of Open Work Permits: An open work permit will be available for applicants in the spouse and family class.
4. Extension of Work Permits: Work permits for individuals whose permits expire between August 1 and the end of 2023 will be extended.

Streamlined Application Processing
According to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), most applications will now be processed within 30 days, with special consideration for spouses and dependents. Applicants processed using these new tools have enjoyed an impressive approval rate of 93%.

Open Work Permits for Spouses and Dependents
Canada is now granting open work permits to spouse candidates and their dependent children who reside with their sponsors and have temporary resident status. Spouses, partners, and dependents can apply for open work permits after submitting a full permanent residence application under the spouse or common-law partner in Canada class (SPCLC) or other family class programs.

Extension for Open Work Permit Holders
Minister Fraser also announced an 18-month extension for spouse applicants and other open work permit holders whose permits expire between August 1 and 2023, similar to the extension provided to new graduates facing expiring work permits.

Enhanced Customer Service and Application Processing
Canada is committed to improving customer service and expediting application processing. In 2022, IRCC processed over 5.2 million applications, ensuring timely decisions for millions of individuals. Since July 2022, 80% of new spousal sponsorship applications from outside Quebec are processed within 12 months.

Criteria for Open Work Permit Extension
While open work permits can be obtained for various reasons, this fast-tracked extension primarily applies to permanent residents waiting for decisions on their applications, spouses sponsored under the family class, most work permit holders, and study permit holders.

Boosting the Economy with More Work Permits
Canada issued 1,075,000 work permits and renewals in 2022, emphasizing its commitment to family reunification and economic growth. These recent measures, including open work permits for family class and spouse applicants, reflect Canada’s dedication to simplifying immigration processes and reuniting families promptly.

Canada’s Commitment to Welcoming Newcomers
Canada’s actions demonstrate its commitment to welcoming newcomers and strengthening communities. By addressing labor shortages and expediting visa processes, the country remains steadfast in its efforts to facilitate immigration and reunite families.