Advocates hail end to conditional spousal visas

The Liberal government has finally repealed the immigration rules that required migrants sponsored by their Canadian spouses to stay in a relationship for two years before earning their permanent residency. The announcement by Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen on Friday was hailed by migrants’ advocates, who have said the requirement by the previous Conservative government placed sponsored newcomers, especially women, at increased risk of abuse.

“Conditional permanent residence has had a devastating impact on women in abusive relationships, and its elimination can be celebrated by all who oppose violence against women,” said Loly Rico, president of the Canadian Council for Refugees.

“The requirement increased the vulnerability of immigrant women who often stayed in abusive relationships out of fear that they would lose their status.”

The conditional permanent resident visa for sponsored spouses came into effect in October 2012 under the Conservative government to deter marriage fraud and marriage of convenience.

Not only did it require the foreign spouse to cohabit with the Canadian sponsor for a minimum of two years to be eligible to keep the permanent resident status, the sponsored spouse was also banned from sponsoring a new spouse within five years of landing in Canada.

The only exception was granted to those who left a relationship because the sponsor had died during the twoyear “conditional period” or in cases of abuse or neglect. Getting rid of the requirement was part of the Liberals’ immigration platform in the 2015 election.

Hussen said the large majority of spousal sponsorships are made in good faith and the relationships are genuine.