Family reunification remains a cornerstone of Canada’s immigration strategy, and the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has introduced a new measure to facilitate the reunion of more families.
Under this measure, spouses, partners, and dependents of permanent residents, Canadian citizens, temporary workers, and students already in Canada may now be eligible for an Open Work Permit. Previously, open work permits were restricted to inland sponsorship applicants or individuals with a Temporary Residence Visa (TRV) already living in Canada. However, with the new measure, outland sponsorship applicants from outside of Canada are also eligible for open work permits.
Family members eligible for open work permits include spouses, common-law partners, conjugal partners, and dependent children over 18 years old.
Eligibility for Open Work Permits:
According to IRCC, family members with valid temporary resident status, those who have maintained their status, or are eligible for restoration of status, and share the same residential address as their sponsor in Canada during the application for an open work permit may be eligible for this opportunity.
IRCC’s public policy allows officers to grant open work permits to foreign nationals who meet either 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, and the application has been accepted for processing by IRCC.
- Has submitted a work permit application with a maximum duration of two years.
- Is the subject of a sponsorship application submitted by their Canadian citizen or permanent resident spouse, common-law, or conjugal partner.
- Shares the same residential address as their sponsor in Canada at the time of application.
- Has valid temporary resident status in Canada or is eligible for and has applied for restoration of status.
OR
- A dependent child who has been included as an accompanying family member in the application for permanent residence.
- Has submitted a work permit application with a maximum duration of two years.
- Shares the same residential address as the principal applicant and their sponsor in Canada at the time of application.
- Has valid temporary resident status in Canada or is eligible for and has applied for restoration of status.
Canada’s Commitment to Family Reunification:
The introduction of open work permits for outland spousal sponsorship is accompanied by other family reunification measures, including faster processing times for spousal applicants’ temporary resident visas (TRVs) and dedicated processing tools for spousal TRV applicants. Moreover, open work permit extensions are available for open work permit holders expiring between August 1st and the end of 2023.
IRCC is dedicated to reuniting families more efficiently, allowing them to work and support themselves swiftly once in Canada. By doing so, Canada is enabling newcomers to realize their full potential while bolstering the nation’s economy and social fabric.