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Family Sponsorship

IRCC sending invitations to selected potential sponsors of parents and grandparents

Ottawa, March 19, 2018 — Family reunification is a top immigration priority for the Government of Canada. In 2017, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) introduced a new application intake process for the Parents and Grandparents sponsorship program, which IRCC is continuing to use in 2018.  From January 2 to February 1, 2018, interested potential sponsors were able to fill out an online interest to sponsor form to tell the Department… Read More »IRCC sending invitations to selected potential sponsors of parents and grandparents

Sponsorship process improvements have led to backlog reduction and shorter processing time

February 14, 2018 – Mississauga, ON – Over the past year, the Government of Canada has made significant improvements to the spousal sponsorship process, making it faster and easier for Canadians and permanent residents to reunite with their spouses. In December 2016, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced that it would reduce the backlog of spousal applicants by 80% and shorten processing times to 12 months. It also announced improvements… Read More »Sponsorship process improvements have led to backlog reduction and shorter processing time

Changes to Regulations Will See Age Increased for Dependent Child

May 3, 2017—Ottawa, ON – The Government of Canada has published regulatory changes to increase the maximum age of a dependent child which will allow more families to stay together. This change showcases the Government’s commitment to family reunification. The new age limit of “under 22” will come into effect this fall, on October 24, 2017, raising it from the current “under 19” requirement. The increased age will apply to new applications for… Read More »Changes to Regulations Will See Age Increased for Dependent Child

Work permit pilot program extended for spouses and common-law partners

Family reunification is a core immigration priority for the Government of Canada. In addition to the changes made to process spousal sponsorship applications faster, IRCC also extended the open work permit pilot program until December 21, 2017, to give spouses a chance to work while their application is being finalized. To be eligible for an open work permit, you must be a spouse or common-law partner living in Canada who… Read More »Work permit pilot program extended for spouses and common-law partners

Changes for 2017 Parent and Grandparent Program

The 2017 Parent and Grandparent Program (PGP) re-opened on January 03, 2017. On December 14, 2016, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced changes to how applicants will apply to sponsor under the PGP. If you want to sponsor your parents or grandparents, you must start by completing an online form and submitting it to IRCC. This year, sponsors will be chosen at random from among those who complete the… Read More »Changes for 2017 Parent and Grandparent Program