Canada launches two new initiatives to improve family reunification for protected persons

CIC News
Published: December 6, 2019

The Government of Canada is making it easier for foreign nationals with protected person status and their family members living abroad to apply for permanent residence. 

A protected person is someone Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) believes has a credible reason to fear persecution in their country of origin. This could be due to race, religion, nationality, membership in a social group, or political opinion.

Oftentimes protected persons have dependent family members who are living abroad in precarious situations. IRCC says this makes it difficult for immigration officers to reach family members during the permanent residence application process.

To address these challenges, IRCC has put in place two new initiatives:

  • A centralized intake process that will allow protected persons with dependent family members abroad to submit permanent residence applications for themselves and their family members simultaneously at a single location, the IRCC Case Processing Centre in Mississauga.
  • A one-year Centralized Concurrent Processing Pilot that will process the applications for permanent residency of both the protected person and their overseas dependent family members at the same time.

“This new centralized process will allow the protected person in Canada to communicate with IRCC on behalf of their family,” IRCC said in a news release.

Family members must be residing in a country within the areas of responsibility for the migration offices that are participating in the pilot:

  • Bogota, Colombia
  • Buenos Aires, Argentina
  • Kingston, Jamaica
  • Lima, Peru
  • London, England
  • Nairobi, Kenya
  • Mexico City, Mexico
  • Port of Spain, Trinidad
  • Sao Paulo, Brazil

Those who submitted an application for permanent residency on or after December 4, 2019, and whose family members abroad are in one of the participating regions, will be advised if they are eligible for the pilot.

Applicants must meet eligibility and admissibility requirements including medical screening and security and criminal checks in order to qualify. 

Find out if you are eligible for any Canadian immigration programs

© 2019 CICNews All Rights Reserved

Share this article
Share your voice
Did you find this article helpful?
Thank you for your feedback.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Did you find this article helpful?
Please provide a response
Thank you for your helpful feedback
Please contact us if you would like to share additional feedback, have a question, or would like Canadian immigration assistance.
  • Do you need Canadian immigration assistance? Contact the Contact Cohen Immigration Law firm by completing our form
  • Send us your feedback or your non-legal assistance questions by emailing us at media@canadavisa.com
Related articles
Five common reasons that your study permit may be rejected
A man looks frustratedly at his laptop, presumably at a study permit refusal from IRCC.
IRCC to update application fees on December 1
A couple looks to their laptop, credit card in hand, anticipating the online payment of their IRCC fees.
Canada holds first healthcare Express Entry draw since July
A scenic lake with a mountain in the background on a summer day
Pilot programs offer alternate pathways to PR for Quebec temporary residents
A view of a skyline in Canada during a sunset
Top Stories
Five common reasons that your study permit may be rejected
British Columbia and Manitoba invite PNP candidates
Canada-US to change border crossing hours at multiple ports of entry in 2025
Join our free newsletter. Get Canada's top immigration stories delivered to your inbox.
Subscribe
More in Visit
Canada-US to change border crossing hours at multiple ports of entry in 2025
Cars on the road ahead of a border crossing
Canada ranked among top safest countries to travel to in 2025
A woman wearing headphones smiles while jogging
Attending the A.A. International Convention 2025? What to know about entering Canada with your past DUI
A cityscape of Vancouver.
Have a DUI? Here are your options for entering Canada
A "Canada Arrivals" sign.
Link copied to clipboard