The Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has now sped up the processing time for Spousal Temporary Resident Visas (TRVs). The processing time has reduced to an astonishing 30 days, with an approval rate standing at an impressive 90%.
Here’s a breakdown of everything you need to know:
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A Quick Turnaround for Spousal TRVs
Spousal applicants for a Canadian Permanent Resident (PR) Visa can now have their TRVs processed in just 30 days. This is a significant reduction compared to previous times.
The measure allows applicants to relocate to Canada while their PR application is in process, instead of waiting in their home countries.
Advantages for Families
The new initiative enables Canadian citizens or permanent residents with spouses and dependents abroad to reunite with their families earlier.
This early reunification facilitates a smoother integration into Canadian communities.
Restrictions to Note
It’s important to note that while in Canada on a TRV, spouses, and dependents cannot work or study until they receive PR approval or secure a valid work or study permit.
On May 26, in Vancouver, Immigration Minister Sean Fraser made a public announcement about the new service standard. He further mentioned that the TRV has seen a whopping approval rate of more than 90% for applications from spouses.
High Approval Rates and Technology
The high approval rate of 90% for spousal applicants is largely due to the IRCC’s extensive use of advanced analytics.
This technology helps the IRCC to analyze various factors in a person’s application and better evaluate their eligibility for PR.
Family Class Sponsorship Processing Time
The standard processing time for PR applications through family class sponsorship is currently 12 months.
However, the new measure of processing spousal TRVs within 30 days, coupled with a 60-day processing time for work permits, could mean a waiting period as short as 90 days for sponsored individuals to begin working in Canada.
Sponsorship Eligibility
- Canadian citizens or permanent residents can sponsor a spouse, common law, or conjugal partner for PR.
- Sponsors need to sign an undertaking agreement, pledging to be financially responsible for the sponsored family for several years.
- The financial requirements vary if there are dependent children to support.
Additional Measures for Family Reunification
The IRCC has also introduced other measures to ease the process:
- Spousal applicants and their dependent children residing with their sponsor in Canada under temporary resident status may now qualify for open work permits.
- They can apply for an Open Work Permit (OWP) once they have submitted a completed application for PR to IRCC.
- Open work permit holders whose permits expire between August 1st and the end of 2023 can extend their permits for 18 months using a facilitated, free process. This includes spouses and dependents of most temporary workers, spouses of international students, and PR applicants.
The new fast-track processing for Spousal TRVs marks a significant improvement in the family reunification process, making it quicker and smoother for families to reunite and settle in Canada.
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