New initiatives to improve family reunions were announced

Earlier today, Immigration Minister Sean Fraser announced amendments aimed at boosting the number of immigrants from the family class in Canada.

An announcement to encourage family reunion 

A family's success depends on being together, particularly during major transitions, such as moving to a foreign country. In light of this, the government of Canada is trying to make it easier for families once they arrive in the country to reconnect and sustain themselves. 

During Sean Fraser's speech in Vancouver today, he announced a number of exciting updates. In his opening remarks, he began by emphasizing the importance of immigrants in Canada and their contributions to the country. Furthermore, he also brought attention to the need for Canada to remain a leading choice for newcomers by offering them options for welcoming their families. 

A number of new measures were announced for family reunification today by the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, who was accompanied by the Honourable Hedy Fry, Member of Parliament for Vancouver Centre. These measures include: 

• Temporary resident visas (TRV) for spousal applicants can be processed more quickly.
• An entirely new set of tools has been developed specifically for spousal TRV applicants.
• In the near future, applicants in the spouse or family class can obtain an open work permit.
• The extension of open work permits for those whose open work permits expire between August 1, 2022, and the end of 2023. 

Minister Fraser has announced that temporary resident visas (TRVs) will be processed faster, and more attention will be given to the application process so families can be reunited sooner while they wait for their permanent residence applications to be approved. Most of these applications are expected to be processed within 30 days. Moreover, the processing measures will be tailored to the circumstances of the applicants' spouses and dependents. Additionally, with the use of these cutting-edge tools, a significant number of applications have already been processed. It is worth mentioning that 93% of the applicants in this cohort have been approved. 

As soon as immigrants arrive in Canada, they often search for employment to support themselves and their families. Consequently, Canada has introduced open work permits for spousal applicants and their dependent children living in Canada with their sponsor while they hold temporary residency status. Thus, spouses, partners, and dependents can now apply for a work permit after submitting a comprehensive application for permanent residence under the spouse and common-law partner in Canada (SPCLC) program or a program for family members seeking permanent residence in Canada.

In the latest update, Minister Fraser declared that individuals holding open work permits, including spousal applicants, with expiry dates falling between August 1 and the end of 2023, can extend their work permits by 18 months. In addition, it has been reported recently that many people with expired work permits for the post-graduation period have been offered a similar option.

In Canada, the labour shortage continues to be a pressing concern that requires immediate attention. One way the government addresses this issue is by implementing initiatives that align with the Minister's mandate of reinforcing family reunification. This includes granting temporary resident status to spouses, partners, and dependent children waiting for permanent residency status approval. This measure not only alleviates labour shortages but also allows families to stay together while they wait for their immigration status to be finalized. In addition, it is a step towards creating a more compassionate and inclusive immigration system in Canada. 

A Glimpse of family reunification 

In today's announcement, Canada formally commits to developing inclusive, resilient communities by reunifying families through immigration, which is more than a humanitarian issue. This commitment is mandatory to help build an inclusive and resilient society. Besides reuniting families much more quickly and allowing people to work and support themselves more rapidly after they arrive in Canada, we also assist newcomers in reuniting with their families more swiftly. Hence, the government of Canada is helping newcomers to reach their full potential while at the same time improving the economy and social fabric of the country." 

 The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship 

Family reunification is crucial to the creation of vibrant and inclusive communities." In Vancouver, we know that when families come together, they become more secure, establish roots, and begin making plans for the future. As a result, our city is thriving. It is important to note that this continuous commitment to bringing loved ones together contributes to the spirit of our community and adds to the fabric of our various communities. The coming together of families for reunions is crucial in strengthening Vancouver's resilience, compassion, and overall unity. It is vital to foster a city where everyone feels a sense of belonging, and each family is appreciated for their contributions to achieving this objective. 

– The Honourable Hedy Fry, Member of Parliament for Vancouver Centre 

In a nutshell 

• The Canadian government has taken steps to improve client service and process applications in a timely manner. As a result, throughout our multiple lines of business, we finalized more than 5.2 million applications in 2022, resulting in millions of decisions being made.
• For non-Quebec applicants, applications for spousal sponsorship have been processed within the service standard of 12 months since July 2022.
• The streamlined processing approach offers many options for foreign nationals with open work permits, but not all are eligible for extensions. The service will only be available to

1. individuals who have applied for permanent residence and their spouses waiting for a decision.
2. spouses of members of the family class who have valid temporary resident status and their dependent children
3. the spouses and common-law partners of work permit holders, and their dependent children are typically eligible for residency in Canada.
4. People married or in a common-law relationship with someone with a study, permit can get benefits and advantages.
5. In the previous year, i.e., 2022, Canada granted over 1,075,000 work permits and extensions for work permits.

- Rajneesh Kumar