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By Emmanuel Adeleke
The Canadian government has updated its open work permit requirements to speed up the approval of family reunification applications.
Recall that Canadian Immigration Minister, Sean Fraser, had in May 2023 explained that the new measures were put in place to strengthen family reunification in Canada.
The new system will enable spouses, children, and parents of recent immigrants to join their loved ones in Canada faster.
According to Fraser, the new policy uses advanced analytics and technology to process Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) applications for family members of permanent residents and citizens in 30 days.
He added that the method had accepted far in advance 98 per cent of TRV applications from spouses and their children.
He also announced a new programme that will grant open work permits to spouse applicants and their dependant children, regardless of whether they applied under the family class as an overseas applicant or as an applicant for a spouse or common-law partner in Canada.
In the new update, there are several sets of criteria that must be fulfilled in order to be eligible for an open work permit.
One of the sets of requirements is on the applicant’s situation as to whether the person can apply for the permit or not.
Applicants can only apply for an open work permit if they fall into one of the following groups:
- A temporary resident permit holder.
- An international student who has graduated from a Canadian education institution and is eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit.
- A student who cannot afford the cost of their studies.
- A person who has applied for permanent residence in Canada.
- A family member of a person who has applied for permanent residence in Canada.
- A spouse or common-law partner of an international student or skilled worker.
- A refugee, protected person, refugee claimant, or a family member.
- A young worker in special programs.
Find more information on the new requirements for open work permit here.
