Question Period Note: SPOUSAL SPONSORSHIP

Addressing spousal sponsorship processing times

• IRCC is committed to reuniting families and the Department has implemented several measures to support and accelerate the processing of spousal sponsorship applications.
• These measures include file digitization, remote processing, the use of advanced analytics and online portals, and an increase in the number of decision-makers.
• Current processing times for permanent resident applicants (excluding QC) are approximately 15 months (overseas) and 11 months (in-Canada) spousal applications compared to 22 months and 14 months (respectively) for the same period last year.
• On May 26, 2023 we announced new measures to strengthen family reunification and help address labour shortages.
• This means that going forward, most new temporary resident visa applications for spousal sponsorship applicants will be processed within 30 days.
• Additionally, open work permits can now be issued to spouses that have arrived in Canada with a temporary resident visa and are pending a decision on their permanent residence application.

• The 2023 planned admission target for Spouses, Partners and Children is 78,000 spaces. These are expected to increase to 80,000 in 2024, and to 82,000 in 2025.

• A total of 70,100 spouses, partners and children became permanent residents in 2022, which is comparable to 2021 (69,700). From January to June 2023, 47,000 partners and children have become permanent residents which exceeds the pace demonstrated from January to June of 2022 (37,877) and 2021 (25,069).

• As a result of efforts on backlog reduction, while also processing new applications within service standards, processing times have improved. Current processing times for Rest of Canada-destined applicants are approximately 15 months (overseas) and 11 months (in-Canada) spousal applications (as of June 2023 based on 80% of applications in the prior 6 months). As a comparison, for the same period last year, processing times for Rest of Canada-destined applicants were 22 months and 14 months for overseas and in-Canada spousal applications respectively.

• Quebec-destined spouses face additional delays in processing, compared to other applicants, given limited levels space under family class to accommodate demand of Quebec-destined sponsors/spouses.

• The total decisions made in 2022, with over 91,000 decisions, surpassed the number of decisions made in 2020 and 2021 respectively, as a result of the Department devoting considerable resources since the start of the pandemic to improve the processing of spousal applications, resulting in higher volumes and faster processing of new spousal applications

• The Department has also put in place innovative processes and implemented modernization efforts to streamline spousal processing by:
o Digitizing paper applications for remote processing by officers
o Building a Permanent Residence online portal to allow all applicants to apply digitally (exemptions apply upon request for accommodation)
o Using advanced analytics to support rapid eligibility decisions for inland applications and using a triage tool to facilitate manual workload distribution for select overseas applications,

• The Department will continue to work on strengthening family reunification and eliminate the current backlog for those impacted by the pandemic.

• As announced on May 26, IRCC is delivering on the mandate commitment to facilitate temporary residence for family members waiting for their permanent residency applications.

• IRCC is using advanced processing tools to help accelerate the processing of TRV applications for those with permanent resident spousal applications in process, as well as to help increase approval rates for spouses.

• On May 26, 2023, IRCC also announced a temporary public policy to issue open work permits (OWP) to spousal applicants and their dependent children. Under the public policy, applicants with valid temporary resident status can receive an OWP as soon as they submit a complete permanent residence application under the Spouse or Common-Law Partner in Canada Class or the Family Class programs. This temporary public policy will help sponsored family members who live with their sponsor and have valid temporary resident status, to support themselves and fill much-needed jobs in Canada.

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