Canada has introduced faster temporary resident visa (TRV)
processing and more considerate application measures.
Sean Fraser, minister of immigration, refugees and
citizenship, announced the development on Friday.
Fraser said most applications will be processed within 30
days, and applicants will benefit from processing measures specific to their
circumstances as spouses and dependents.
So far, many applications have seen an approval rate of 93
percent, he added.
In 2022, Canada issued more than 1,075,000 work permits and
work permit extensions.
The minister said the development was Canada’s commitment to
ensure that families are together, especially during life’s big moments like
moving to a new country.
“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,” Fraser said.
“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.”
Dependents will now be able to apply for and receive an open
work permit as soon as they submit a complete permanent residence application
under the spouse or common-law partner in Canada class (SPCLC) or other family
class programmes.
Additionally, spousal applicants, along with other open work
permit holders, whose permits expire between August 1 and the end of 2023, will
be able to extend their work permits for an additional 18 months.
“A similar option was recently offered to many with expiring
post-graduation work permits,” the statement added.
The move comes days after the United Kingdom announced that
foreign students would no longer be able to bring family members with them from
2024.
The Home Office said the development was necessary to stop
people from using the student visa as a backdoor route to work in the UK.
However, universities across the UK opposed the country’s
new immigration rules, saying it will worsen their financial pressure.
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