New Immigration Pathways & Sponsorship Updates for Families in 2024

Canadian immigration policies have undergone significant changes in the family class sponsorship and work permit programs over the past year. These updates introduce new pathways for family reunification while refining existing policies to address emerging global challenges. Below is a comprehensive summary of these changes and their implications moving forward.

Highlights of Family Class Immigration Updates

This review outlines the most impactful changes introduced in 2024 and their anticipated influence on family class immigration in 2025. Key updates include:

• Reduction in family sponsorship allocations for 2025.
• Adjustments to Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP) eligibility.
• Changes to Quebec’s family sponsorship policies.
• Implementation of advanced automation in application processing.
• Re-opening of the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP).
• Temporary resident pathways for families affected by conflicts in Gaza and Sudan.

Reduced Family Sponsorship Allocations for 2025

In alignment with broader immigration level reductions, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced a decrease in family class sponsorship landing targets for 2025.

2024 vs. 2025 Targets:

Impact:

• These targets reflect confirmed landings, not applications received.
• Reduced allocations may cause processing delays for family sponsorship applications, though options remain for temporary stays while applications are processed.

Changes to Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP) Eligibility

Significant modifications were made to the SOWP program in 2024, narrowing eligibility criteria:

1. March 2024 Updates:

   • Eligibility limited to spouses of international students enrolled in master’s or doctoral programs.
   • Exceptions granted for specific professional degrees (e.g., medicine, law, engineering).

2. September 2024 Adjustments:

   • Restricted to spouses of master’s students in programs lasting at least 16 months.
   • SOWP eligibility narrowed for spouses of temporary foreign workers in highly specialized professions or areas with critical labor shortages.

Projected Outcome:
These changes are expected to reduce SOWP issuance by approximately 150,000 permits over three years.

Quebec Family Sponsorship Revisions

Quebec introduced stricter caps on family sponsorship applications to address growing demand and long processing times:

• New Caps (June 2024 – June 2026):
  • 13,000 total applications over two years, with allocations as follows:
    • Spouses, partners, and dependent children: 10,400.
    • Parents, grandparents, and other eligible relatives: 2,600.
  • Critical cases (e.g., minor dependent children) exempt from caps.

Effect:
Applications exceeding these caps will be returned without processing.

Automation in Application Processing

To enhance efficiency, IRCC implemented advanced automation tools for processing family sponsorship applications:

• Scope of Automation:
  • Applies to routine cases involving spouses, common-law partners, and conjugal partners.
  • Accelerates initial reviews but does not make final decisions.

Goal:
Streamline application processing and reduce wait times for families.

Re-opening of the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP)

The PGP resumed in 2024 with IRCC issuing 35,700 Invitations to Apply (ITAs). Key details include:

• Eligibility: Limited to sponsors who submitted an "Interest to Sponsor" form in 2020.
• Deadline: Complete applications were required by August 2, 2024.

Temporary Resident Pathway for Families in Gaza

In response to the Gaza crisis, IRCC introduced a temporary resident pathway for family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents:

• Eligibility: Spouses, children, parents, grandparents, and siblings of Canadians.
• Support Services: Settlement assistance, health coverage, and fee-exempt permits.
• Duration: Until April 22, 2025, or when the cap of 5,000 applicants is reached.

Sudanese Family Sponsorship Pathway

A new family sponsorship program for Sudanese relatives of Canadians was unveiled:

• Eligibility:
  • Applicants must have entered Canada before July 15, 2023.
  • Covers spouses, dependent children, and their children.

Programs Offered:

• Open Work Permit (OWP).
• Study Permit.
• Visitor Record.
• Temporary Resident Permit (TRP).

This program will remain active until October 27, 2025.

Final Thoughts

These updates signify Canada’s evolving approach to balancing humanitarian needs with immigration priorities. The changes aim to streamline processes, address global crises, and adapt to shifting demands. Stakeholders should stay informed about these developments to navigate family class immigration effectively.