MAJOR CHANGES TO PROCESSING OF PARENTAL IMMIGRATION FILES

TEMPORARY HOLD FROM NOV 5, 2011 FOR 24 MONTHS – SUPER VISA FOR 10 YEARS – 24 MONTHS OF STAY ALLOWED – PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE REQUIRED

In an effort to reduce the backlog of more than 165,000 applications of parents and grandparents for Canadian permanent residence, the government has discontinued accepting new applications temporarily from starting Nov 5, 2011 for 24 months. Nearly 38,000 such applications are received each year. The current wait time for such applications is currently in excess of seven years and hence this action was felt necessary.

Overall, the government is aiming at faster family-unification in Canada. For this, the government will increase by over 60% the number of sponsored parents and grandparents who are admitted next year (from 15, 500 in 2010 to 25,000 in 2012). This will be the highest level in nearly 20 years.

The government is also introducing the new “Parent and Grandparent Super Visa,” which will be valid for up to 10 years. The multiple-entry visa will allow an applicant to remain in Canada for up to 24 months at a time without the need for renewal of their status. The Parent and Grandparent Super Visa will come into effect on December 1, 2011, and the government will be able to issue the visas, on average, within eight weeks of the application. This means that instead of waiting for eight years, a parent or a grandparent can come to Canada within eight weeks. Parent and Grandparent Super Visa applicants will be required to obtain private Canadian health-care insurance for their stay in Canada.

For any questions contact info@eaglelegal.ca