Dependent Visa Achiever Allowed to Work in Canada

Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, and the Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance, announced that the country is extending work permits for the family members of temporary workers. This decision is taken to address the labour shortage in Canada.

The Immigration Minister said- “Everywhere I go, employers across the country continue to identify a lack of workers as their biggest obstacle. Today’s announcement will help employers find the workers they need to fill their labour gaps by expanding work permits to family members at all skill levels, resulting in family members of over 200,000 foreign workers being able to work in Canada. Our government is going to continue helping employers overcome labour shortages while also supporting the well-being of workers and uniting their families.”

The recent recovery of Canada’s economy has created a problem for employers in finding the workers they need, especially in the tourism industry. Extending the work permits for family members (spouse and kids) who accompany the principal applicant to Canada will fill the labour shortage gap in Canada.

Earlier, the family members were only permitted to work if the principal applicant was working in a high-skill occupation. But this measure will also allow the family members of every worker to work in Canada. Also, by keeping families together, this temporary policy aims to enhance the mental health, physical fitness, and financial security of workers. This will also motivate workers to get indulged in work environment and perform their best.

The government is planning to implement this policy from January 2023 for spouses and working-age children through a phased approach for workers at all skill levels, including families of workers in health care, trades and hospitality. It is estimated that this measure will allow the family member of more than 200,000 foreign workers to work in Canada. The policy will be implemented gradually, starting with the high-wage stream of the International Mobility Program and the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. Canada issued about 6,45,000 work permits between January and October 2022; it was nearly four times more than the visa issued in the same span in 2021. This policy will be implemented in 3 phases:

Phase 1 will allow family members of workers who entered Canada through a high-wage stream of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program or the International Mobility Program to apply for a work permit.

Phase 2 will give opportunities to the family members of workers from the low-wage stream of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, following consultations.

Phase 3 will include consultation with agricultural partners and stakeholders to assess the operational feasibility for expanding the measure to family members of agricultural workers.

Moreover, students who wish to study in Canada may contact our expert counsellors at any branch of Meridean Overseas Education Consultants (MOEC). You can also take free online counselling through our website. Our expert counsellors will provide you with the best guidance and support you need to take the admission and visa process. For more information or any queries, you can mail us at application02@meridean.org or call us at our toll-free no. 1800-1230-00011.