These are certainly welcome news for those separated by their loved ones. There has been a significant #prioritizefamilysponsorship movement lately. Particularly a facebook group named Spousal Sponsorship Advocates truly pushed for a change and did everything they could to make their voices heard. This includes numerous rallies in all major Canadian cities, petitions (6,000+ signatures strong), recruiting Members of Parliament to the cause, engaging media both broadcast, print and online. My hat’s off to all those who fought for what they believed in.

Now, all that we hope is for the new technology to work without serious hickups, so that the target levels can be met. It is also unclear whether or not the permanent residence application element of outland spousal applications will be included in this initiative. If not, then this initiative might help with only one part of the problem. Visa offices around the world are still working at limited capacity. Also, biometrics collection is an ongoing problem in many Visa Application Centres around the world. But let’s not sour the tone here! Today is a good day!

Just like the Foreign Worker Stream, International Student Stream also requires a full-time and permanent Ontarian job offer in a skilled occupation at Skill Type 0 or Skill Level A or B of the National Occupational Classification (NOC). The wage cannot be lower than the low wage level for that occupation.

The applicant must have received either one of the two from an eligible Canadian learning institution:

• a degree or diploma that takes at least two years to complete if the applicant studies on a full-time basis, OR
• a degree, diploma or certificate that takes at least one year to complete if the applicant studies on a full-time basis and that requires a completed degree as an admission requirement.

At least half of this study time must have occurred while the student was physically present in Canada. You must apply within two years of the date on your diploma, degree or certificate.

The employer requirements are exactly the same as the Foreign Worker Stream:

• In business for at least 3 years
• a minimum of $1,000,000 in gross annual revenue if the work is in  the Greater Toronto Area (GTA)
• a minimum of $500,000 in gross annual revenue if the work is somewhere in Ontario excluding the GTA
• At least 5 Canadian citizens or permanent residents must already be working full-time where you work if in the GTA
• At least 3 Canadian citizens or permanent residents must already be working full-time where you work if in Ontario excluding the GTA.