Canada is working to help families reunite more quickly and easily once they arrive in Canada.

In an announcement made on May 26th, the Honorable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship revealed new measures for ambitious family reunification policy to help create a competitive landscape in the global race for talent.

As a result of these new measures, temporary residency visas (TRV) will be approved at a much higher approval rate for family members with pending permanent residency applications. This new approach has approved well in advance 98% of the TRV application of spouses and kids, allowing families to be together sooner while awaiting their permanent residence to be finalized.

Additionally, a new initiative will allow sponsored spouse/common-law partner applicants and dependent children to apply for and receive open work permits, regardless of whether they applied under the Family Class or under the Spouse or Common Law Partner in Canada Class. This will help the members of the family class to seek jobs to support themselves and their families.

Beginning June 7th, open work permit holders whose current permit expires by the end of 2023 will be able to extend their work permit for an additional 18 months using an approach like the one offered to the holders of expiring Post Graduate Work Permits.

Sources: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/mandate/policies-operational-instructions-agreements/public-policies/spousal-work-permit-exemption.html