色狐入口

Canada Abolishes Conditional Permanent Residence Provision for Spouses and Partners

色狐入口
Published: April 28, 2017

Spouses and common-law partners sponsored to immigrate to Canada will no longer experience a period of conditional permanent resident status. Instead, they will have full permanent resident status upon landing. The removal of the conditional permanent residence provision was confirmed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on April 28, 2017.

By eliminating the condition, the Liberal government said that it was addressing concerns that vulnerable sponsored spouses or partners may stay in abusive relationships because they are afraid of losing their permanent resident status, even though an exception to the condition existed for those types of situations.听Abuse may be physical, sexual, psychological, and/or financial.

The condition had originally been introduced by the previous Conservative government in October, 2012听as a means to deter people from seeking to immigrate to Canada through non-genuine relationships.

While the current government admits that cases of marriage fraud may exist, it also states that 'the majority of relationships are genuine and most spousal sponsorship applications are made in good faith,' adding that 'eliminating conditional permanent residence upholds the Government鈥檚 commitment to family reunification and supports gender equality and combating gender violence.'

The elimination of the condition had been expected for some time.听In its Forward Regulatory Plan released in October, 2016, IRCC stated its intention to '[change] those provisions with the objective of addressing concerns that have been identified, such as the vulnerability of sponsored spouses.'

At that time, IRCC stated that 'On balance, the program integrity benefits of conditional permanent residence have not been shown to outweigh the risks to vulnerable sponsored spouses and partners subject to the two-year cohabitation requirement . . . The proposed repeal of conditional permanent residence recognizes that the majority of relationships are genuine, and the majority of applications are made in good faith. Eliminating conditional permanent residence would facilitate family reunification, remove the potential increased vulnerability faced by abused and neglected spouses and partners, and support the Government鈥檚 commitment to combating gender-based violence.'

"The government's action today, and over recent months, says to new immigrants and Canadians alike that they are trusted. It also reaffirms the government's belief that the existing legislation is听robust enough to be able to deal with any possible case of abuse without recourse to a conditional permanent residence provision," says Attorney David Cohen.

"The safety and well-being of all residents of Canada is paramount, and by eliminating this provision, the government will allow more newcomers to settle and integrate, knowing that Canada is their long-term home. Overall, it helps to build a stronger society for all."

What to do if you鈥檙e in an abusive situation

The government provided the following advice for persons in abusive situations: In Canada, abuse is not tolerated. If you are a sponsored spouse or partner and are experiencing abuse or neglect by your sponsor or their family, you do not have to remain in that abusive situation. Find out .

Find out more about.
To find out if you are eligible to sponsor your spouse/partner for Canadian permanent residence,听.

漏 2017 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
  • Send us your feedback or your non-legal assistance questions by emailing us at media@canadavisa.com
Related articles
Quebec imposes cap on family sponsorship applications
A family waving the Quebec provincial flag while standing in a field
IRCC now issuing invitations for Parents and Grandparents Program
A mother and son smiling towards the camera, with the backdrop of a city behind them.
Parents and Grandparents program will reopen this month
A man and his father taking a walk in a garden.
Which family members can I bring with me to Canada once I receive permanent residence?
Children and parents posing, smiling, playing and having fun.
Top Stories
IRCC issues 4,000 ITAs to Canadian Experience Class candidates in latest Express Entry draw
Canada ranked 4th best country in the world in 2024
Business Insurance: An Overview for Newcomers to Canada
Join our free newsletter. Get Canada's top immigration stories delivered to your inbox.
Subscribe
More in Sponsor Content
Business Insurance: An Overview for Newcomers to Canada
Small business owner
How to Stay Connected to 色狐入口 as an International Student in Canada
Girls and phone
Live Webinar: Mortgage Basics: A Newcomer鈥檚 Guide to Financing a 色狐入口 in Canada
TD
TD Collaborates with MPOWER Financing to Enhance Banking Experience for International Students
TD
Link copied to clipboard