Canada / Immigration age limit for family reunion set at 19 rather than the current 22

Age at immigration is key to newcomers’ economic outcomes, Ottawa says

Older children of immigrants will be prevented from joining their parents and siblings in Canada under a new federal government plan to restrict the definition of “dependent child.”

The change, which takes effect Jan. 1, will narrow the definition of a dependent child to someone younger than 19, rather than the current 22, and remove an exception for older children who study full time. The new rules could make roughly 7,000 immigrants a year ineligible to come to Canada.

According to an outline of the plan obtained by the Star, the changes reflect the government’s immigration goals: to fuel economic prosperity, transition to a fast and flexible economic immigration system and target those with the skills to meet labour needs.

“The earlier in life immigrants arrive, the more their educational experience will resemble that of their Canadian-born counterparts and the easier it will be to learn an official language and adapt to Canadian cultural traits and social norms,” it says.

Chosen excerpts by Job Market Monitor

via Ottawa to change immigration age limit of dependant children to under 19.