The Canadian government has implemented significant changes to its immigration policies for 2024, including a temporary halt to new applications under the Super Visa Program and a reduction in the permanent residency (PR) quota for skilled workers. These adjustments, announced by the Canada Immigration Department, aim to address a growing backlog and align with the government’s immigration priorities.
Super Visa Program suspended for new applications.
The Super Visa Program, which allows permanent residents and citizens to sponsor their parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents for longer-term stays in Canada, will not accept new applications from previous years. The government has prioritized clearing a backlog of 15,000 pending applications from previous years by the end of 2024. Immigration officials have advised applicants to consider alternative pathways, such as inviting their relatives under existing Super Visa provisions, which offer a five-year validity period.
The suspension comes as part of a broader strategy to manage Canada’s immigration system more efficiently. Despite the temporary halt, the government remains committed to family reunification, albeit with adjusted timelines and targets.
Reduction in skilled worker PR quota
In addition to changes in the Super Visa Program, the Immigration Department has reduced the PR quota for skilled workers invited through the Post-Graduation Program by 20% lowering it to 24,500 for 2024. While these cuts are described as temporary, internal sources indicated that this could signal a potential shift towards, internal sources indicate that this could signal a potential shift toward scaling back or even permanently closing the program.
Immigration Minister Marc Miller justified these measures as necessary to meet the government's dual goals of managing immigration effectively and ensuring family reunification. “These steps are critical to balance our immigration objectives while addressing the backlog and ensuring fairness for all applicants,” said Miller
Impact on family reunification targets
Canada’s three-year immigration plan outlines a gradual reduction in overall immigration levels. Despite this, the government aims to admit more than 24,000 individuals through parental and grandparents sponsorship in 2024. Initially, the plan allocated 35,700 applications for family reunification programs, but this was revised to a target of 20,500 approved applications. At the end of 2023, over 40,000 sponsorship applications remained pending.
The family reunification initiative remains a cornerstone of Canada’s immigration policy, but the current adjustments indicate a tightening of eligibility and a focus on addressing the existing backlog. Immigration officials emphasized that these measures are temporary and subject to review in future policy updates.
Boarder implications
The changes reflect the need to balance immigration inflows with Canada’s economic and social infrastructure. Experts have pointed out that while the Super Visa suspension and quota reductions address immediate challenges, they may have long-term implications for family reunification and Canada’s appeal as a destination for skilled workers.
“This move could deter potential immigrants who value Canada’s commitment to family reunification,” noted an immigration consultant. “The reduction skilled worker quotas may also impact industries reliant on global talent”
Overall, the Canadian government has assured stakeholders that these measures are temporary and designed to streamline the immigration process. As the immigration Department works to clear existing backlogs, it will continue to monitor the impact of these changes and adjust policies accordingly.
Applicants and sponsors should stay updated on policy developments and explore alternative pathways to achieving their immigration goals.