In December 2014, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (“IRCC”) launched a two-year inland spousal sponsorship open work allow pilot program for people being sponsored from inside Canada. Simply earlier than the pilot was set to run out in December 2016, the federal government prolonged it for a one yr interval into 2017.
In December 2017, proper earlier than the vacations, the federal government introduced that it will prolong the pilot for an additional yr (and a month) till January 31, 2019.
IRCC initially launched this pilot program as a method of supporting and conserving households collectively in Canada. By giving sponsored spouses and companions the choice to acquire an open work allow whereas their inland software processes, many households are capable of assist themselves whereas they wait. As well as, the inland processing possibility opens up and lets households stay collectively. In distinction, many households usually are not capable of stay collectively throughout software processing in the event that they file underneath the abroad sponsorship class.
Who Qualifies?
This pilot program shouldn’t be confused with the bridging open work allow program for everlasting resident candidates who’re in Canada on a legitimate work allow.
To qualify underneath this pilot program, candidates have to be a partner or common-law companion residing in Canada and being sponsored by the Partner or Frequent-Legislation Companion Class. On high of that, candidates should:
• Have legitimate short-term resident standing – this could embrace standing as a customer, scholar or employee; and
• Dwell in Canada on the similar handle as your sponsor.
Levels of a Sponsorship Utility
Sponsorship functions are processed in two levels: (1) the sponsorship software the place the sponsor is assessed for eligibility; and (2) the everlasting residence software the place the applicant is assessed for eligibility for a everlasting residence grant.
When a sponsorship software is authorized, the sponsor and applicant will probably be notified that the appliance will transfer onto the second stage of processing. When an preliminary assessment of the everlasting residence software is accomplished, and if the whole lot checks out, the applicant will obtain approval in precept.
Approval in precept signifies that an applicant meets the everlasting residence eligibility necessities however there are nonetheless some background checks (i.e. medical, safety) occurring that may take time.
The way to Apply
Sponsored spouses and common-law companions can apply for an open work allow whether or not they have obtained approval in precept or not. There are three choices for first-time open work allow candidates:
• If no sponsorship and everlasting residence software have been submitted – submit the open work allow software on paper together with the sponsorship and everlasting residence functions. Will probably be processed as soon as IRCC has accomplished the sponsorship evaluation and strikes onto the everlasting residence software;
• If a everlasting residence software was submitted however no approval in precept has been obtained – submit the open work allow software on paper, together with all supporting paperwork and the processing payment;
• If a everlasting residence software was submitted and approval in precept has been obtained – submit the open work allow software on-line.
When you have been already issued an open work allow underneath an earlier pilot program and wish to increase it you should apply to increase it earlier than it expires underneath the common work allow extension course of. This may be finished by paper or on-line. The kinds, supporting documentation and costs for the extension software is not going to be the identical as these you submitted for the preliminary open work allow software. Be sure to give your self sufficient time to collect what’s required and full the kinds so that you could submit prematurely of your work allow expiry.
Be aware that work permits being prolonged underneath the pilot program will solely be issued till January 31, 2019, on the newest, or the date your passport expires, whether it is earlier than January 31, 2019.
Again in October, we wrote about bridging open work permits – what they’re, who qualifies and easy methods to apply. Bridging open work permits are totally different than the inland sponsorship primarily based work permits. In case you are fascinated by studying about bridging open work permits, you may try our weblog right here Bridging open work allow & PR for all the backgrounds.