Canada Implements New Visa Processing System to Expedite Family Reunification

Canada – Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Sean Fraser, has announced a new and expedited visa processing system that allows families to be together while awaiting their permanent residence permits. The introduction of this system aims to facilitate family reunification and streamline the immigration process.

Under the new rules, visa applications will now be processed within a swift 30-day timeframe. Spouses and dependent applicants will particularly benefit from this accelerated visa processing, with an impressive 93 percent approval rate reported so far.

Minister Fraser took to his official Twitter handle, @seanfraserMP, to express the motive behind the new visa policy, stating, “families belong together.”

In a statement released on Friday, the minister emphasized the significance of family reunification in building inclusive and resilient communities. He highlighted the positive impact of reuniting families swiftly, enabling them to work and support themselves promptly upon arrival. Minister Fraser believes that this approach not only helps newcomers reach their true potential but also strengthens Canada’s economy and social fabric.

The minister elaborated on the details of the new policy in a tweet, mentioning the introduction of faster processing times for Temporary Resident Visas (TRVs) and new processing tools for spousal applicants. Additionally, a new open work permit will be available for spousal and family class applicants.

One key benefit of the new visa processing system is that dependents can apply for and receive an open work permit as soon as they submit a complete permanent residence application under the spouse or common-law partner in Canada class or other family class programs.

Minister Fraser also revealed that spousal applicants and other open work permit holders whose permits are set to expire between August 1 and the end of 2023 will have the opportunity to extend their work permits for an additional 18 months.

This significant development in Canada’s visa processing procedures comes at a time when the United Kingdom recently announced stricter visa restrictions to manage the increasing number of immigrants entering the country, which they claim has reached one million.

Canada’s commitment to facilitating family reunification and providing faster processing times highlights its dedication to fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment for newcomers, ultimately enriching the nation’s social and economic landscape.