Canada's immigration minister has scrapped a permanent residency exemption for refugees with undeclared family members . The exemption had let refugees seek permanent status even when family members were omitted in their initial application.
The change cuts off that application method. It applies to refugees who did not declare family members . This policy is now in force.
Separately, family sponsorship rules are undergoing revision next year. The new rules will take effect on that date.
Meanwhile, proof-of-citizenship applications have surged . Estimated wait times for those applications are about three years long. Processing delays are becoming more severe for applicants seeking Canadian citizenship.