Vancouver: Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Minister Sean Fraser announced several measures to strengthen family reunification.
During a press briefing in Vancouver on Friday, the immigration minister announced that procession times of temporary resident visa (TRV) for spousal applicants will be sped up.
He said there will be new and dedicated processing tools for spousal TRV applicants.
The measures announced by the immigration minister include new open work permit for spousal and family class applicants and open work permit extensions for open work permit holders expiring between August 1 and the end of 2023.
“Going forward, most of these applications will be processed within 30 days, and applicants will benefit from processing measures specific to their circumstances as spouses and dependants. Many applications have already been processed using these new tools. Within this cohort of applicants, we have seen an approval rate of 93 per cent,” said Sean Fraser.
He also announced that other open work permit holders, whose open work permits expire between August 1 and the end of 2023, will be able to extend their work permits for an additional 18 months.
“Family reunification through immigration is not only a matter of compassion, it is a fundamental pillar of Canadian society. Today’s announcement is a mandate commitment to help build inclusive and resilient communities. We are supporting Canadians and newcomers by reuniting families faster, and also allowing them to work and support themselves more quickly once they’re here. By doing so, Canada is helping newcomers achieve their true potential, while also strengthening Canada’s economy and social fabric,” said Sean Fraser