Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) reported a significant increase in immigration numbers through Canada’s spousal sponsorship program in May.
The number of spouses and common-law partners gaining permanent residency rose 10.7 percent compared to April, with 6,025 new permanent residents joining their partners in Canada, up from 5,445 in the previous month.
This increase followed a significant 12.6 percent rise in April, rebounding from a 12.8 percent decrease in March.
By the end of May, Canada welcomed 29,445 new permanent residents through the Spousal Sponsorship Program despite lower numbers in February and March.
However, this figure is still 21.6 percent less than the same period last year, when 37,550 new permanent residents were welcomed.
Projections indicate that Canada could welcome 70,668 new permanent residents through the Spousal Sponsorship Program by the end of the year, slightly down from the 75,260 who gained residency last year.
Ontario continues to lead in the number of arrivals under this program, with 14,855 new residents in the first five months of the year.
Newfoundland and Labrador saw the highest percentage increase in May, with a 200 percent rise from April.
Saskatchewan and British Columbia also experienced significant increases, with 92.3 percent and 63.6 percent growth, respectively. On the other hand, Ontario experienced a 15.9 percent decrease in monthly arrivals under the program.
The spousal sponsorship program generally does not require sponsors to meet income thresholds unless the sponsored spouse or partner has dependent children in addition to their own children.
Sponsors must sign an undertaking to provide financial support for basic needs, including food, clothing, shelter, dental care, eye care, and other health needs not covered by public health services. This agreement remains binding regardless of changes in circumstances.
The current processing time for sponsorship applications for spouses or common-law partners outside of Canada, excluding Quebec, has improved significantly. It is now down to 10 months from the 20-month processing time in 2022. This improvement provides hope for faster reunification for many families.
The post Surge in Spousal Sponsorship Immigration to Canada in 2024 appeared first on CI News | Latest Canada Immigration News.
Take a look at how our clients appreciate what we do.
