Tag Archive: partner

Faster Spousal Temporary Resident (Visitor) Visa Processing Times; New Open Work Permit for Spousal and Family Class Applicants

May 26, 2023

Today, Friday, May 26, 2023, the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship announced new measures to strengthen family reunification, which include:

  • faster temporary resident visa (TRV) processing times for spousal applicants
  • new and dedicated processing tools for spousal TRV applicants
  • a new open work permit for spousal and family class applicants
  • open work permit extensions for open work permit holders expiring between August 1 and the end of 2023

Minister Fraser announced that, going forward, most TRV applications will be processed within 30 days, and applicants will benefit from processing measures specific to their circumstances as spouses and dependants.

Once in Canada, spouses, partners and dependants are now able to 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 (SPCLC) or other family class programs.

Finally, Minister Fraser announced that spousal applicants, along with other open work permit holders, whose open work permits expire between August 1 and the end of 2023, will be able to extend their work permits for an additional 18 months.

Some Canadian Immigration Government Fees to Increase April 30, 2020

March 23, 2020

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will be increasing some Government fees, effective April 30, 2020 and every two (2) years, thereafter, in accordance with the cumulative percentage increase to the Consumer Price Index for Canada, published by Statistics Canada, for the two (2) previous years, rounded to the nearest five (5) dollars.

A.  EXPRESS ENTRY (FEDERAL SKILLED WORKER CLASS/FEDERAL SKILLED TRADES CLASS/CANADIAN EXPERIENCE CLASS)

  1. Principal applicant processing fee will increase from 550 CAD to 825 CAD
  2. Spouse or common-law partner of principal applicant processing fee will increase from 550 CAD to 825 CAD
  3. Dependent child of principal applicant processing fee will increase from 150 CAD to 225 CAD

B.  BUSINESS CLASS (SELF-EMPLOYED/START-UP VISA)

  1. Principal applicant processing fee will increase from 1,050 CAD to 1,575 CAD
  2. Spouse or common-law partner of principal applicant processing fee will increase from 550 CAD to 825 CAD
  3. Dependent child of principal applicant processing fee will increase from 150 CAD to 225 CAD

C.  FAMILY CLASS (SPONSORSHIP OF A SPOUSE/PARTNER/DEPENDENT CHILD or PARENT/GRANDPARENT)

All processing fees will remain the same.

D.  RIGHT OF PERMANENT RESIDENCE FEE

Will increase from 490 CAD to 500 CAD.