Canada’s spousal sponsorship immigration sees a slow start in 2024

Recent data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) indicates a notable decline in Canada’s spousal sponsorship program at the outset of 2024. In January, the program facilitated the arrival of 6,975 spouses and common-law partners as new permanent residents, marking a significant 30.8% drop from the same period in 2023, which saw 10,080 individuals admitted under the program. While January’s figures signal a slower start compared to last year, there is a slight uptick in performance compared to December 2023, with a 15.7% increase in newcomers. Despite the initial decline, projections suggest that if January’s immigration pace persists throughout 2024, the program could still accommodate 83,700 spouses and common-law partners by year-end, representing an 11.2% increase over the 2023 figures, which stood at 75,250.