IRCC speeding up processing for spousal applications

On September 24, 2020, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, has announced new measures to speed up the spousal sponsorship applications. COVID-19 has created uncertainty for permanent residents/ citizens Due to COVID-19 thousands of Permanent applications are on hold or being processed slowly because of this pandemic.

Considering family reunification and help families build their lives together in Canada especially spouses of Permanent Residents or Canadian Citizens announced the following:

  • IRCC has increased the number of officers who can decide on spousal applications in Canada by 66%
  • Complete the process more quickly and reduce couple wait times
  • Leverage new technology in a pilot to digitalize paper applications
  • Piloting, technology to conduct interviews with applicants remotely following public health protocols, etc.,

From October to December 2020 IRCC targeted to accelerate, prioritize and finalize approximately 6000 spousal sponsorship applications each month which is 18,000 applications in 3 months. This measure will lead to more than 45,000 decisions by the end of 2020.

“We understand that the last few months have not been easy for those who are far from their loved ones in these difficult times. This is why we are accelerating the approval of spousal applications as much as possible. Our government will continue to find new ways to keep families together.”

The Honourable Marco E. L. Mendicino, P.C., M.P., Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

Pic Courtesy: https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/woman-and-man-hands-holding-red-shape-of-heart-saint-valentine-day-background-gm882262096-245533657

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