Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has significantly increased the processing of spousal sponsorship applications, addressing delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Before the global health crisis, Canada’s annual immigration target under the Spouses, Partners, and Children category stood at approximately 70,000 newcomers. According to Canada’s 2021–2023 Immigration Levels Plan, the federal government is now aiming to welcome about 80,000 individuals per year under this category, reinforcing its commitment to family reunification.
Most immigrants in this stream are spouses or common-law partners of Canadian citizens or permanent residents, who support their loved ones’ applications through the sponsorship process. The pandemic initially slowed application processing, but IRCC took decisive steps in late 2020 to reduce the backlog. In a major announcement, the department committed to processing up to 6,000 spousal applications per month between September and December 2020.
Recent data provided by IRCC shows considerable progress. In September 2020, the agency finalized over 4,000 spousal immigration applications—more than double the number processed in July of the same year, when fewer than 2,000 applications were completed.
Both inland and overseas applications saw enhanced processing speeds. Inland application finalizations increased from nearly 1,200 in July to nearly 2,000 in September. For overseas applicants, the improvement was even more substantial, with finalizations rising from under 800 in July to over 2,000 in September.
This renewed momentum highlights Canada’s commitment to reuniting families despite operational difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Experts note that such processing enhancements also benefit Canada’s long-term integration strategy by enabling families to settle and contribute more effectively to Canadian society and the economy.
As Canada continues to adapt post-pandemic, IRCC is expected to maintain elevated processing targets in spousal immigration to ensure aspiring immigrants and their families face fewer barriers when reuniting in the country.