Question Period Note: SPOUSAL SPONSORSHIP

Addressing spousal sponsorship processing times

• IRCC is committed to reuniting families and has implemented several measures to support and accelerate the processing of spousal sponsorship applications.
• These measures include file digitization, remote processing, the use of streamlined processing measures and online portals, as well as an increase in the number of decision-makers.
• From February to July, 2024, processing times for spouse, partner and children’s permanent resident applications (excluding QC) have improved to about 12 months (overseas) and 8 months (in-Canada) compared to 14 months and 10 months (respectively) for the same period in 2023.

If pressed:
• In May 2023, we announced new measures to strengthen family reunification and help address labour shortages including:
o Faster and more accessible temporary resident visa processing for eligible spousal permanent residence applicants using streamlined tools and techniques.
o Additionally, open work permits can now be issued to spouses, common-law partners, conjugal partners and their dependent children that have arrived in Canada and are pending a decision on their permanent residence application under the spouse or common-law partner in Canada class or family class programs.
o Processing times for temporary resident visas for spousal permanent residence applicants are now in line with processing times for other visitors. A significant portion of applications are processed in less than 30 days.

• The 2024 planned admission target for Spouses, Partners, and Children is 82,000 spaces, which is expected to increase to 84,000 in 2025, and remain at 84,000 in 2026.

• A total of 81,400 spouses, partners and children became permanent residents (PR) in 2023 compared to 70,100 in 2022. From January to July 2024, 44,000 spouses, partners and children became permanent residents.

• 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 12 months (overseas) and 8 months (in-Canada) (as of July 2024 based on 80% of applications in the prior 6 months). As a comparison, for the same period in 2023, processing times for Rest of Canada-destined applicants were 14 months and 10 months for overseas and in-Canada spousal applications respectively.

• Quebec-destined spouses face additional delays in processing, compared to other applicants [currently 21 months (in-Canada), and 26 months (overseas)], given limited levels space under family class to accommodate demand of Quebec-destined sponsors/spouses.

• The service standard for spouse, partners and children under the family class priority is 12 months. There is currently no service standard for the in-Canada class.

• The Department has devoted considerable resources to improve the processing of spousal applications resulting in a higher number of decisions and faster processing of new spousal applications. In 2023, 90,500 total decisions were made, surpassing the number of decisions made in 2022 (89,500).

• The Department has also put in place innovative processes and implemented modernization efforts to streamline PR 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 (AA) and other automated technology for in-Canada class and overseas family class spouse and partner PR applications which allow officers to identify routine applications for streamlined processing.
 In May 2024, IRCC expanded the use of AA to overseas family class spouse and partner applications. This expands on existing automated tools used to process in-Canada spouse and common-law partner applications.
 These AA tools are used to identify routine cases for triaging. All admissibility assessments are still completed by an officer, which includes security, medical and criminality. Officers always make the final decision on all applications. Streamlined processing measures have led to processing efficiencies, which allows officers to focus on other cases so applicants can get their decisions sooner. Looking ahead, IRCC will continue to monitor and evaluate the effects of automated decision making on spouse and partner PR applications on overall processing times for clients.
• IRCC is using new and dedicated 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, without compromising the safety and security of Canadians.

• IT tools triage more straightforward cases into streamlined processing so that clients see improved processing times and greater access to TRVs.

• 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 who reside with their sponsor in Canada and have 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 support themselves and fill much-needed jobs in Canada.

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