Immigration of Canadian families: a review of 2024:

Table of Contents:

1. Introduction
2. Cutback of Family Class Sponsorship Allocations in 2025
3. Changes to Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP) Eligibility
4. Changes to Quebec Family Sponsorship
5. Introduction of Advanced Automation for Family Class Sponsorship
6. Re-opening of the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP)
7. Temporary Resident Pathway for Families of Canadians in Gaza
8. New Family Sponsorship Pathway for Sudanese Family Members of Canadians
9. How Wave Visas and Wave Immigration Consultant Can Help
10. Conclusion

1. Introduction

Canada is constantly evolving its immigration policies to accommodate both the needs of its citizens and those of applicants seeking to make the country their home. In 2024, significant changes were made to the family class sponsorship programs, and these changes are set to continue into 2025. For Canadian citizens and permanent residents seeking to bring their loved ones to Canada, it’s important to stay up-to-date with these changes. Whether you’re looking to sponsor a spouse, parent, or child, these shifts in policy could impact processing times, eligibility, and the number of applicants who can be accepted.

In this blog, we will discuss some of the most crucial changes to Canada’s family class immigration pathways in 2024, and what this means for 2025. If you need expert guidance in navigating these changes, Wave Visas and Wave Immigration Consultant are here to help.

2. Cutback of Family Class Sponsorship Allocations in 2025

One of the most significant changes affecting family sponsorship is the reduction in the number of landings allocated for family class immigration. In 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) plans to reduce the targets for family class sponsorships.

• Spouses, Partners, and Children: 82,000 landings in 2024 to 70,000 landings in 2025.
• Parents and Grandparents: 32,000 landings in 2024 to 24,500 landings in 2025.

This means that fewer applications will be accepted in 2025 compared to 2024, potentially leading to longer wait times for processing family sponsorships. Applicants may experience delays, so it’s crucial to plan ahead and understand how the reduced allocations could affect your application.

3. Changes to Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP) Eligibility

In 2024, significant adjustments were made to the eligibility criteria for Spousal Open Work Permits (SOWPs), especially for spouses of international students and temporary foreign workers. Effective from March 2024, spouses of international students are only eligible for a SOWP if the student is enrolled in specific graduate programs, such as master’s or doctoral programs. Similarly, spouses of workers in highly skilled professions, such as engineers and scientists, will have limited eligibility.

IRCC expects these changes to result in a significant decrease in the number of SOWPs issued, with an estimated reduction of 150,000 permits over the next three years. This shift is designed to ensure that Canada’s immigration system is more targeted, but it will impact families seeking to reunite in the country.

4. Changes to Quebec Family Sponsorship

Quebec introduced its own set of changes to family sponsorship pathways in 2024. With increasing demand for family sponsorships and a backlog of applications, Quebec’s Ministry of Immigration imposed a cap on applications for family reunification. Effective June 2024, Quebec will accept only 13,000 family sponsorship applications for the next two years, with the majority allocated to spouses, common-law partners, and dependent children.

These limits are expected to reduce processing delays and maintain a manageable backlog of cases. However, applicants in Quebec should be aware that the cap could impact the processing of their applications if the limit is reached before their submission.

5. Introduction of Advanced Automation for Family Class Sponsorship

In an effort to streamline the processing of family class sponsorship applications, IRCC has introduced new automation tools. These tools use machine learning to assist with the initial stages of application processing, which helps to reduce the time spent on routine reviews. While these tools do not have the authority to approve or deny applications, they are designed to speed up processing and improve overall efficiency.

This is especially beneficial for sponsors applying for spouses, common-law partners, and conjugal partners. Applicants can expect faster initial reviews, though it’s important to keep in mind that detailed assessments may still require human intervention.

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

The highly anticipated Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) re-opened in 2024, offering new opportunities for Canadians to sponsor their parents or grandparents. IRCC invited 35,700 potential sponsors to apply for family sponsorship, with the aim of processing 20,500 applications for permanent residence.

The PGP will continue to open periodically, with invitations issued to those who submitted an “Interest to Sponsor” form in 2020. For many families, this program is a crucial pathway to reunification, and IRCC continues to prioritize processing of these applications.

7. Temporary Resident Pathway for Families of Canadians in Gaza

In response to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Canada introduced a temporary resident pathway in 2024 to provide safe haven for the family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents who are in the region. This pathway is aimed at providing temporary visas for family members of Canadians, including spouses, children, parents, and siblings, allowing them to come to Canada for a period of up to three years.

This initiative is part of Canada’s broader efforts to support those impacted by global conflicts, and it is expected to run until April 2025 or until the cap of 5,000 applicants is reached.

8. New Family Sponsorship Pathway for Sudanese Family Members of Canadians

A new family sponsorship pathway was introduced to support Sudanese citizens who are impacted by the ongoing conflict in Sudan. This program enables Sudanese family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents to apply for temporary and permanent residence in Canada. The new measure includes access to open work permits, study permits, and other immigration options for eligible applicants.

This pathway is open until October 2025 and offers a lifeline for many families affected by the crisis in Sudan.

9. How Wave Visas and Wave Immigration Consultant Can Help

Navigating the complexities of family class immigration can be daunting, especially with all the recent changes. At Wave Visas, our expert consultants specialize in guiding applicants through the various programs and ensuring their applications meet all necessary criteria. Whether you are sponsoring a spouse, parent, or child, we will help streamline the process and offer advice on optimizing your chances of success.

As a trusted Wave Immigration Consultant, we are committed to providing clear, accurate, and up-to-date information on Canadian immigration policies. With our expertise, we ensure that your family sponsorship application is handled efficiently and in compliance with the latest regulations.

10. Conclusion

Canada’s family class immigration system is undergoing significant changes, and these will have far-reaching implications for 2025. Whether you are seeking to sponsor a spouse, parent, or child, it is crucial to stay informed about these updates and plan accordingly. With the expertise of Wave Visas and Wave Immigration Consultant, you can navigate these changes with confidence and maximize your chances of successfully reuniting with your loved ones in Canada.

Stay tuned for more updates and consult with our team to help you with your immigration needs.

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