Canada has temporarily halted new applications for the parent and grandparent permanent residency sponsorship program in an effort to reduce a backlog of pending cases. The directive has been issued by Immigration Minister Marc Miller that is to be published in the Canada gazette. This action affirms the government’s intent to reunite families, but further insists, above all, that previous-year applications are prioritized in processing, particularly those for the year 2023, instead.
Canada Adjusts Immigration Strategy
As part of a greater immigration strategy, the government intends to gradually reduce targets for total intake over the next three years. The plan allocates 15,000 applications for family reunification in 2024 as part of a scaled approach in utilizing resources and capacity.
Last year saw the random selection of 35,700 applicants under the program with the target of awarding 20,500 applications. However, by the close of 2023, about 40,000 parent and grandparent application files still remained in the process. The sheer numbers of pending applications have caused backlogs in processing times, which, at the moment, average wait period for applications stands at two years.
Pausing Sponsorships to Improve Processing Times
This moratorium is also being extended to all other sponsorship streams, pending alignment of policies with immigration levels. The plan takes a gradual approach to balancing family reunification objectives against the goal of sustainable immigration levels and efficient processing times. The government is hence streamlining the processing funds to clear the backlog in order to provide clarity and faster turnaround times for families waiting for reunification.
Such a suspension forms an even wider context for the reform and adjustment in the operation of the immigration system of Canada, which will address delays while upholding commitments to welcoming wholesome new residents.
