"Major changes" expected to be introduced this fall

[flx2015]

So they've been promising us changes to speed up the processing of family class apps, and apparently those changes will be introduced this fall. They took their sweet time with it.

Source: http://www.mississauga.com/news-story/6771893-major-changes-to-canada-s-immigration-system-expected-in-fall-says-minister-john-mccallum/

 

[mikeymyke]

Some half truths in his statement, especially the part where he says it takes approx. 2 years for a husband and wife to be reunited. Maybe if it's inland or a red flag case, but a large majority of cases won't be close to 2 years. But good on them for finally addressing the family class processing times.

 

[flx2015]

Some half truths in his statement, especially the part where he says it takes approx. 2 years for a husband and wife to be reunited. Maybe if it's inland or a red flag case, but a large majority of cases won't be close to 2 years.

For sure. The average seems to be closer to 10 months or less for most outland apps.

Still, that's way too long of a wait for people like me who are still in process, so anything they can do to reduce the wait is a welcome change. My wife's app has been sitting at London VO for just over 5 months now (plus two months for SA), and they haven't even looked at her file yet.

 

[CDNPR2014]

Some half truths in his statement, especially the part where he says it takes approx. 2 years for a husband and wife to be reunited. Maybe if it's inland or a red flag case, but a large majority of cases won't be close to 2 years. But good on them for finally addressing the family class processing times.

I think they are mis-interpreting the condition 51 and thinking a person doesn't get full pr upon approval. either they don't understand the condition or they are using this language to push their agenda.

 

[Ponga]

I think they are mis-interpreting the condition 51 and thinking a person doesn't get full pr upon approval. either they don't understand the condition or they are using this language to push their agenda.

As has been discussed in other threads, I suspect that it's the latter.

Gee...you'd think that the Immigration Minister would certainly know what Condition 51 means and how it `works', but...we are talking about CIC.

 

[methyl]

Even if a year is the average that is way too long for families to be reunited considering that express entry applications are done within 6 months. What's the difference between the two? Only assessment of the relationship, which, believe me, does not take an case officer more than a couple of hours to evaluate.

 

[Engineered_by_God]

I'm believing that this major changes this coming "fall" will not make us fall into confusion instead a spring of hope will be generated for all of us who were separated due to waiting period of the spousal immigration processing

 

[Hardcookie]

Even if a year is the average that is way too long for families to be reunited considering that express entry applications are done within 6 months. What's the difference between the two? Only assessment of the relationship, which, believe me, does not take an case officer more than a couple of hours to evaluate.

i agree. I wish families could be re-united much faster and given priority to all other categories. The distance between couples, especially newly married partners hurts. :'(

 

[htquach]

Maybe the lengthy wait is part of the previous regime's authenticity assessment? Only REALLY LOVING couples will wait long periods of time apart.

JOKING!!!

 

[S_and_C]

The point that stuck out for me besides "we're going to make everything faster", is that they are refining the visitor visa policy. Will that mean allowing foreign spouses automatic visitation rights while waiting for their PR to process, instead of trying to "prove strong ties to home country" with their bags half packed, and other nonsense?

My wife and I have been through a lot of stress trying to determine the best way for her to visit me here either using a Temporary Resident Visa or Permit, and each option has it's share of difficulties and uncertainty, and the Permit just doesn't seem to apply to us and the visa is very hard to prove strong ties. It should be an automatic right to be able to have your spouse with you, especially when you are confident the PR will be accepted, you've provided a complete application, and you are certain you are in a genuine relationship.

 

[Hardcookie]

The point that stuck out for me besides "we're going to make everything faster", is that they are refining the visitor visa policy. Will that mean allowing foreign spouses automatic visitation rights while waiting for their PR to process, instead of trying to "prove strong ties to home country" with their bags half packed, and other nonsense?

My wife and I have been through a lot of stress trying to determine the best way for her to visit me here either using a Temporary Resident Visa or Permit, and each option has it's share of difficulties and uncertainty, and the Permit just doesn't seem to apply to us and the visa is very hard to prove strong ties. It should be an automatic right to be able to have your spouse with you, especially when you are confident the PR will be accepted, you've provided a complete application, and you are certain you are in a genuine relationship.

I agree. I wish Canada could be like USA where by there is even a Fiancee visa. I wonder whether CIC does all these to punish spouses and break relationships. i honestly dont understand. One thing for sure is that whether a couple has dated for 10 years or 1month is not relative to divorces cases! if a marriage cant work, even if you give it 20 years, it will still not work.

 

[just a square]

In my opinion, the article didn't give much hope for things to go faster. Saying 'we'll make it faster' without saying anything particular (besides international students, which, let's admit, isn't the majority of the family class cases) doesn't really mean that we'll see any real progress.

But let's hope for the best.