IRCCs Temporary Public Policy came into existence in the latter part of May. According to this new policy, sponsored family members can work in Canada while their application gets processed. A Family Class Sponsorship application processing might have these sponsored partners, spouses, or dependent children arrive in Canada as temporary residents.

Besides this, the temporary policy offers foreign nationals the opportunity to obtain Open Work Permits. Further, this applies to foreign nationals seeking to work and reside in Canada through Family Class Sponsorship. This even includes dependent children beyond 18 years.

These OWPs initially catered only to the Inland Spousal Sponsorship program. However, at present, it is applicable to those applying from outside Canada.

IRCC even claims that offering Open Work Permits will enhance the financial stability of families. Additionally, it will increase their potential to establish themselves within the existing communities.

Besides this, Canada will also have the chance to combat the ongoing crisis of labor shortage.

IRCCs Temporary Public Policy – its eligibility requirements

The department’s officials will allow foreign nationals to attain OWPs, only if they comply with the following conditions:

• They possess the status of a principal applicant who has already submitted a PR application under a common-law partner or spouse in Canada or even as a conjugal partner, spouse, or common-law partner under the family class. Also, IRCC must have accepted the application to process it further.
• Prior submission of a work permit application, with the work permit’s maximum duration of two years.
• The foreign national must be the subject of the sponsorship application, as submitted by the spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner, who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
• They must demonstrate the same address as their Canadian sponsor while applying.
• Show an authentic status as a temporary resident in Canada and their eligibility for restoration status or must have already applied for it.

OR

Other requirements

• The foreign national happens to be a dependent child. Moreover, he or she will be accompanying family members in the PR application.
• Prior submission of a work permit application and the work permit’s duration is two years at the maximum.
• Possesses the same residential address as that of the principal applicant and their Canadian sponsor during the time of their application.
• Holds a temporary residence status in Canada, with the eligibility for restoration status and has already applied for the status.

Declaration of the family reunification initiatives

Sean Fraser discussed the improvements to solidify the family class immigration and family reunification on May 26 this year.

Apart from the Open Work permit option, the initiatives include the following:

• Expedited processing times of the Temporary Residents Visa for spousal applicants.
• Spousal TRV applicants will now be able to access new processing tools.
• OWP holders with work permits expiring between August 1 and the end of 2023 will now be able to choose Open Work Permit extensions.

Overall, these initiatives only reiterate the IRCCs objective of reuniting families in Canada as the key strategy for Canadian immigration.