Some sponsored spouses, partners, and their dependant children will enter Canada as temporary residents to be with their sponsor while a family class sponsorship application is being processed. Open work permits for dependents of sponsors.
The end of May saw the announcement by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) of a temporary public policy enabling these people to work in Canada while their applications are being reviewed.
This public policy makes it easier for foreign people applying to live and work in Canada under family class sponsorship, including dependant children over the age of 18, to receive an open work permit.
Now open to people who are applying from outside of Canada, these open work permits were previously exclusively available under the inland spousal sponsorship program.
According to the IRCC, giving open-work permits will support families’ capacity to integrate into their communities and maintain financial stability, as well as solve the nation’s labor shortages and the economy.
What are the eligibility requirements?
IRCC officers may grant an open work permit to foreign nationals who meet either one of the following conditions.
The foreign national is
- A principal applicant who has submitted a permanent residence application under the spouse or common-law partner in Canada or as a spouse, common law or conjugal partner under the family class that has been accepted for processing by IRCC
- Has submitted a work permit application, where the duration of the work permit requested is a maximum of two years
- Is the subject of a sponsorship application submitted by their Canadian citizen or permanent resident spouse, common law or conjugal partner
- Has the same residential address as their sponsor in Canada at the time of the application, and
- Has valid temporary resident status in Canada or is eligible for and has applied for restoration of status
OR
The foreign national is
- A dependent child that has been included as an accompanying family member in the application for permanent residence
- Has submitted a work permit application where the duration of the work permit requested is for a maximum of two years
- Has the same residential address as the principal applicant and their sponsor in Canada at the time of the application, and
- Has valid temporary resident status in Canada or is eligible for and has applied for restoration of status
Announcement of family reunification measures
On May 26, Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced improvements to strengthen family class immigration and family reunification in Canada.
On top of the new open work permit option, these measures include:
- Faster temporary resident visa (TRV) processing times for spousal applicants
- New and dedicated processing tools for spousal TRV applicants
- Open work permit extensions for open work permit holders expiring between August 1st and the end of 2023
He said these measures echo IRCC’s dedication to reuniting families and the importance of family reunification as part of Canada’s immigration strategy. Open work permits for dependents of sponsors.
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