What Are the Key Changes in Canada’s Spousal Sponsorship Program This Year?

Are you a person who has work, purpose, and citizenship in Canada? Or are you already a permanent resident, and have a family or a person you are in love with in another country? And you want them to join you in Canada? 

If you are in any of these situations, then this page is for you. Canada’s spousal sponsorship program knows your heart and helps you meet and live with your beloved person with ease. 

Canada is a country with people from all over the world, and falling for one is as common as slipping on a rainy road. That is the reason the Canadian government has come up with this program- Spousal Sponsorship Program. It is no less than a boon that allows you to bring your spouse or partner to Canada. 

And this year- 2024, this program has seen many changes, changes that reflect a shift in Canada’s immigration policy. Don’t worry, we will tell you everything, so don’t stress out. 

The Canadian government has introduced numerous changes in the Spousal sponsorship program this year. You may have a question, why?

Just to make the process fair, and efficient for you. 

In this blog, we will discuss the trends in the Spousal sponsorship program in 2024, and the changes that you need to know before applying for it. 

Know every detail, with this complete guide.  Read it till the end, know the changes, and enjoy your life with your life partner. Successfully!

What is a Spousal Sponsorship Program?

Let’s start by understanding what this program actually means, and how it can help you.

Spousal Sponsorship Program, popularly known as Spouse visa program is nothing but a way to live with your partner in Canada. However, let me tell you, that this program is only for Canadian citizens and permanent residents. 

This program allows you to sponsor your beloved partner or common-law partner to immigrate to Canada. It is a small part of the well-known family class sponsorship program that allows you to reunite with your family within the country boundaries. 

Now, let’s know the key changes that are seen in this program and the changes you need to know about.

Reduction in Spousal Open Work Permits (SOWPs)

A sudden shift in Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada, popularly known as IRCC has caused a reduction in the issuance of SOWPs. 

Now what are SOWPs?

Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWPs) is another program that allows spouses of Canadian citizens, and permanent residents to Work in Canada. Until their partner’s study period is over. 

For the next three years, that is till 2027, the Canadian government via IRCC plans to reduce these permits by over 100,000. 

IRCC has made a new adjustment to the program. Now partners of students with master’s or doctoral programs at Canadian DLIs with some exceptions in UG degrees will only be allowed under SOWPs. They will only get the chance to work in Canada. 

So, now if you want your partner to move to Canada you need to have much better financial as well as career planning.

Decline in Spousal Sponsorship Admission

Having a life in Canada is one of the dreams that most of us want to accomplish. But despite that, today Canada is experiencing a huge decline in spousal admission. But why?

In a period of 6 months, that is between January to July 2024 people seeking permanent residency through the spousal sponsorship program have declined by 18.6%! 

It is said that it is mainly due to backlogs in procedures, and evolution in immigration priorities. Where Canada is aiming to welcome more immigrants, this decline has caused a labour shortage in the market.

Faster Processing for Visitor Visas

As of now, we know that Spousal open work permits were reduced and only students who met the eligibility criteria were allowed to bring their spouses to Canada. So, there was a decline in the Spouse visa program. 

However, this led to faster processing of visitor visas. People can’t move to Canada permanently for a while but they can come to meet their loved ones. 

Once you have submitted your permanent residence application, and received an acknowledgment receipt from the authorities. You are all free to apply for visitor visas, which are to be applied in a proper procedure. 

In short, you can stay, live, and enjoy the serenades of Canada with your beloved partner while your permanent residency application is in process. 

Sounds great right?

Well, it definitely is!

Once you arrive in Canada, you can also apply for a spousal open work permit. This will help you financially, while you wait for your permanent residentship approval. 

Visitor visas not just help couples to reunite quickly, but also provide emotional and financial support during the meantime.  

Comprehensive background check

There are some new rules and changes attached to the Spouse Sponsorship Program. Let me tell you what they are. Now, the Canadian government is putting more emphasis on checking the sponsor and their spouse’s background.   

Now your background will be checked comprehensively, unlike before. You will have to go through a proper security screening along with some required medical examinations. 

1. Security screening of the person is conducted to make sure they are not a threat to the country.

2. And a medical examination is done to make sure you are fit and fine. And are not suffering from any such condition that can burden the Canadian healthcare system. 

This is the reason why the processing time for spousal permanent residency takes much longer than what it required earlier.

Stricter penalties for misrepresentation

The 5th change that the Canadian government has come up with this year is penalties, strict ones. If someone tries to fool, misrepresent, or provide false information to the authorities, then it is over for them. They will have to face strict consequences for the same.

• In case of misrepresentation of information, you will have to face a strict five-year ban from sponsoring another spouse.
• They may revocate the permanent residentship for your sponsored spouse.
• And you may have to see the walls of jail, and criminal charges being imposed on you.
  So, it is better to stay clean, honest, and provide pure information.

Conclusion

In this blog, we discuss the minute details and changes that you need to know about this spouse sponsorship program. Which will in turn help you gain your dream of having a life with the person you love, your spouse. 

Getting a permanent residency in Canada is quite a tough task, you need to apply for it, need proper financial support, a proper program, and whatnot.

But with guidance, your loved ones can easily get a permanent visa. Don’t worry we got you! We will help you from the very start to the end. From Express Entry to PNP, our team of experienced consultants will help you create a perfect plan that will maximize your chances.