2024 Year in Review: Major Changes to Canada’s Family Class Immigration Programs
Canada’s immigration landscape underwent several key developments in 2024, especially within the family class sponsorship and work permit programs. Key reforms driven by evolving political priorities and humanitarian concerns have had a significant impact on the pathways for family reunification. In particular, the introduction of new temporary resident pathways, modifications to Spousal Open Work Permits (SOWP), and changes to Quebec’s family sponsorship system are poised to shape Canadian immigration in the years to come.
This article reviews the key changes of 2024 and explores their potential impact on immigration trends in 2025 and beyond.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Reduction in Family Class Sponsorship Allocations
- Changes to Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP) Eligibility
- Quebec’s Family Sponsorship Reforms
- Advanced Automation in Application Processing
- Re-opening of the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP)
- Temporary Resident Pathway for Families of Canadians in Gaza
- New Family Sponsorship Pathway for Sudanese Nationals
- Conclusion
1. Introduction
2024 marked a year of significant reforms in Canada’s family class immigration program. The Canadian government introduced changes not only to streamline and prioritize family reunification but also to respond to international humanitarian crises, such as the conflicts in Gaza and Sudan. These developments have substantial implications for Canadian immigration policy, particularly concerning the future of family sponsorships, work permits, and the provision of temporary refuge to those in need.
2. Reduction in Family Class Sponsorship Allocations
As part of the broader Immigration Levels Plan, Canada made notable adjustments to its family class sponsorship targets for 2025. The reduction in allocations reflects the government’s strategy to limit the overall intake of immigrants while addressing internal demands for other immigration categories. In 2024, the total targets were set for 82,000 family reunifications for spouses, partners, and children, but the target for 2025 was slashed to 70,000. Similarly, sponsorships for parents and grandparents dropped from 32,000 in 2024 to 24,500 in 2025.
These cuts are likely to lead to extended processing times for applications, as fewer landings are expected for the family class in 2025, leading to potential backlogs.
3. Changes to Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP) Eligibility
The Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP) program, which allows spouses of certain temporary foreign workers and international students to work while awaiting their permanent residency applications, underwent significant changes in 2024.
- For Spouses of International Students: Starting March 19, 2024, spouses of international students could only apply for SOWPs if their sponsor is enrolled in a master’s or doctoral program. This policy also carved out exceptions for spouses of students in specific professional programs like law, medicine, and engineering.
- For Spouses of Temporary Foreign Workers: A further change in September 2024 limited SOWP eligibility to spouses of workers in highly skilled professions, including C-suite executives, engineers, scientists, and professionals in sectors experiencing critical labor shortages.
These shifts are expected to reduce the number of SOWPs issued in the coming years, focusing on highly skilled workers and their families.
4. Quebec’s Family Sponsorship Reforms
Quebec’s approach to family reunification faced challenges in 2024 as the provincial government struggled with long wait times for sponsorship applications. In response, the federal government intervened to process additional applications beyond Quebec’s cap, which had been set at 10,000 annually. This led to a federal decision to process up to 20,500 applications from individuals who had already received Quebec’s Selection Certificate (CSQ).
In addition to this federal intervention, Quebec introduced a new family sponsorship cap for the years 2024-2026, limiting the number of applications it would process to 13,000. This includes 10,400 for spouses, common-law partners, and dependent children and 2,600 for parents and grandparents.
5. Advanced Automation in Application Processing
To streamline the processing of family class sponsorship applications, the IRCC introduced advanced automation tools in 2024. These tools use machine learning to expedite the initial stages of application processing, allowing for faster review of routine cases. While these tools do not make final decisions, they aim to reduce delays and improve the efficiency of processing applications for spouses, common-law partners, and conjugal partners.
By automating these processes, IRCC hopes to reduce wait times and ensure that applications are handled more efficiently, benefiting both applicants and the department.
6. Re-opening of the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP)
The Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP), which had been closed in previous years, was re-opened in 2024, allowing 35,700 invitations to apply (ITAs) to be issued. This program targeted sponsors who had submitted an “Interest to Sponsor” form in 2020, and it aimed to approve 20,500 permanent residence applications.
While the PGP opened in 2024, it was the fifth consecutive year that only applications from the 2020 intake were considered. This program has been critical in reuniting families, particularly for seniors who wish to join their children or grandchildren in Canada.
7. Temporary Resident Pathway for Families of Canadians in Gaza
In response to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Canada introduced a temporary resident pathway aimed at providing a safe haven for the extended family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents from Gaza. This pathway offers temporary resident visas valid for up to three years, with provisions for open work permits, study permits, and settlement services.
This initiative will remain open until April 22, 2025, or until the program reaches its cap of 5,000 applications. The program prioritizes families, including spouses, parents, children, and siblings, ensuring that Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor their loved ones fleeing the conflict.
8. New Family Sponsorship Pathway for Sudanese Nationals
In 2024, Canada also introduced a new family sponsorship pathway for Sudanese nationals. This temporary measure allows Sudanese family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents to apply for temporary and permanent immigration to Canada. This initiative, which will be available until October 27, 2025, offers a range of options, including open work permits, study permits, visitor records, and permanent residency as a sponsored spouse, partner, or child.
This pathway is part of Canada’s commitment to providing refuge to those impacted by global conflicts and ensuring that their families can join them in safety.
9. Conclusion
Canada’s family class immigration system underwent substantial changes in 2024, with a focus on reducing backlogs, responding to global humanitarian needs, and introducing more targeted and efficient processes. While the reduction in family sponsorship allocations for 2025 may result in delays for applicants, other initiatives, such as the re-opening of the Parents and Grandparents Program and the introduction of pathways for families in Gaza and Sudan, demonstrate Canada’s ongoing commitment to family reunification. These developments will continue to shape immigration patterns and policies in 2025 and beyond.
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