Canada: Streamlined Family Reunification Measures Announced

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced new measures to streamline family reunification processes to help families reunite more quickly and address labor shortages in Canada. These include: faster processing times for Temporary Resident Visa applications from spouses and dependents, which will be processed within 30 days; a new open work permit for spouses, partners, and working age dependents who filed applications from outside Canada but who reside with their sponsor in Canada, hold temporary resident status, and submit a complete permanent residence application under Spouse or Common-Law Partner in Canada Class (SPCLC) or other family class program; and the ability for those who hold an open work permit expiring between August 1, 2023 and December 31, 2023, to apply for an open work permit extension or a new open work permit valid up to 18 months. Interested applicants should contact their immigration professional for case-specific advice.