Canada is known for its family-friendly immigration policies, and the government continues to make strides in facilitating family reunification for Canadian citizens and permanent residents.
Canada is known for its family-friendly immigration policies, and the government continues to make strides in facilitating family reunification for Canadian citizens and permanent residents. In an effort to further support families separated by international borders, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has introduced a significant change to the family sponsorship program. This article will delve into the details of this new policy, its benefits, and the application process.
Understanding the Family Sponsorship Program:
The Family Sponsorship Program in Canada allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their eligible family members, such as spouses, common-law partners, conjugal partners, dependent children, parents, and grandparents, to become permanent residents in Canada. The program aims to reunite families and promote family ties in the country.
Open Work Permits for Outland Applicants:
Traditionally, outland applicants were subject to a lengthy processing period while awaiting their family sponsorship application’s approval. This process often resulted in significant periods of separation from their loved ones residing in Canada. However, the recent policy change now enables outland applicants to apply for Open Work Permits concurrently with their sponsorship applications.
Benefits of Open Work Permits:
The introduction of Open Work Permits for outland applicants brings several advantages:
Reunification during Processing: By obtaining an Open Work Permit, outland applicants can travel to Canada and work while their sponsorship application is being processed, thereby reducing the duration of separation from their family members in the country.
Flexibility in Employment: Open Work Permit holders are not tied to a specific employer, which provides them with the freedom to seek employment opportunities anywhere in Canada, based on their qualifications and skills.
Gaining Canadian Work Experience: Working in Canada on an Open Work Permit allows applicants to gain valuable Canadian work experience, enhancing their chances of success in future immigration or permanent residency applications.
Eligibility Criteria for Open Work Permits:
To be eligible for an Open Work Permit as an outland applicant under the Family Sponsorship Program, individuals must:
Have submitted a complete sponsorship application to the Case Processing Centre (CPC) in Canada.
Declare their intention to live in Canada while their sponsorship application is being processed.
Meet the general admissibility requirements to enter Canada as a temporary resident, including passing medical, criminal, and security checks.
Application Process:
To apply for an Open Work Permit, outland applicants must complete the following steps:
Submit the Family Sponsorship Application: Begin the process by submitting a complete sponsorship application to the CPC in Canada.
Apply for the Open Work Permit: Once the sponsorship application is in process, applicants can submit a separate application for an Open Work Permit to the appropriate visa office or application center.
Wait for Approval: Wait for IRCC to process both the sponsorship and work permit applications. Processing times may vary, but applicants can check the IRCC website for updates on application processing times.
The introduction of Open Work Permits for outland applicants under the Canada Family Sponsorship Program is a significant step towards fostering family reunification and supporting families separated by international borders. This new policy provides eligible applicants with the opportunity to work in Canada while their sponsorship application is being processed, reducing the duration of separation from their loved ones. As Canada continues to prioritize family ties in its immigration policies, this initiative represents a positive change that will undoubtedly make a difference in the lives of many families seeking to reunite on Canadian soil.
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