Spousal sponsorship in Canada is the process through which a Canadian citizen or permanent resident can sponsor their partner to come to Canada and live permanently. We realize how vital it is for families to be together in Canada. As a result, applications for spousal sponsorship are given first consideration.
Everything you need to know about sponsoring your spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner to come to Canada is right here.
If you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and satisfy the following criteria, you may be able to sponsor your spouse, conjugal partner, or common-law partner.
● You must be at least 18 years old.
● Live in Canada or want to return after your spouse or partner becomes a permanent resident of Canada
● Are you able and willing to meet your spouse’s or partner’s basic financial demands for the next three years?
If you live in Canada with your spouse or common-law partner, you should apply under the Spouse or Common-Law Partner in Canada Class (Inland).
● You are a Canadian citizen with a legitimate immigration status.
● You want to apply for an open work permit so that you can work in Canada while your application is being processed.
If your spouse or common-law partner is out of status in Canada, they may be able to submit under this stream as well while being protected under a public policy that allows them to stay in Canada until the application has been fully processed. The disadvantage to this particular stream, however, is that the applicant should refrain from travel outside of Canada while the application is in process.
If you meet the following criteria, you should apply for sponsorship under the Family Class (Outland) option:
● Your spouse/common-law partner (referred to as “the applicant”) resides outside of Canada.
● You are currently residing in Canada with the sponsor but do not intend to stay for the duration of the application procedure.
The disadvantage of adopting this route is that living with your spouse may be tough until your application is accepted. Your spouse, on the other hand, can apply for a temporary visa to visit Canada while their outland sponsorship application is being processed.
spousal sponsorship entails continuous commitments to the sponsoring spouse, conjugal partner, or common-law partner.
When you sponsor a spouse, conjugal partner, or common-law partner, you are responsible for meeting your partner’s fundamental necessities, including their daily and health needs, for three years.
Before signing the undertaking agreement, you must ensure that your sponsored spouse, conjugal partner, or common-law partner does not require government social assistance. If your spouse, conjugal partner, or common-law partner needs government assistance, you must repay the whole amount they received while you were legally responsible for them. If you do not repay the entire sum, you will be unable to sponsor another qualified family member until you do.
Your financial responsibility will continue to exist even if:
● When your sponsored spouse, conjugal partner, or common-law partner becomes a Canadian citizen, you become a Canadian citizen as well.
● your relationship is over
● If your spouse, conjugal partner, or common-law partner relocates to a different nation or province,
● you are having financial difficulties
Spousal sponsorship applications can be filed by mail or through IRCC’s new permanent residency application online.
You should anticipate to provide the following documents when requesting to sponsor a spouse:
● Application forms have been completed;
● Proof of Canadian residency;
● Identification documents;
● Marriage certificate;
● Police clearances and certificates from all countries where your spouse has resided for six months or more since the age of 18;
● Your spouse’s medical certificate;
● Payment of all necessary government fees;
● Photograph on digital media;
● Relationship Information and a Questionnaire for Sponsorship Evaluation
● Marriage certificate (if you are not married, see common-law);
● Invitations and photographs for a wedding;
● Any children you and your spouse have together should have birth certificates or adoption paperwork.
● Proof of marriage registration with a government agency
You must produce at least two of the following papers to show your relationship:
● Evidence showing you and your spouse jointly possess property
● Bank accounts that are shared,
● Utility invoices with your and your partner’s names,
● Copies of government-issued identification,
● Automobile insurance,
● Pay stubs or tax paperwork proving that you and your spouse live at the same location
If you are in a common-law relationship and want to sponsor your partner, immigration agents will seek for the following evidence:
● Relationship Information and a Questionnaire for Sponsorship Evaluation
● Any children you and your common-law spouse have together should have birth certificates or adoption paperwork.
● Photos of you and your common-law partner demonstrating your marital bond
● Evidence showing you have been living together for at least a year
In addition, at least two of the following papers must be submitted:
● Documents proving that you are each other’s common-law partner, such as work or insurance benefits
● Proof of financial assistance or shared costs between you and your partner
● Evidence that your connection is acknowledged by family and friends (letters, emails, social media)
If you are unable to supply all of the above-mentioned papers, be imaginative. Find and give opportunities to demonstrate your relationship. Provide letters of explanation or sworn declarations from family members or friends attesting to your common-law status. The visa officer will make the ultimate judgement on your common-law paperwork, but the more documentation you can present, the greater your chances of acceptance.
If you are in a conjugal relationship and want to sponsor your spouse, immigration agents will seek for the following evidence:
● shared living quarters
● Economic assistance, such as collaborative financial arrangements, pooled bank accounts, and so forth.
● Evidence showing your friends and family are aware that you and your partner are in a relationship
There is no formal documentation or a certain period in time that strengthens your commitment to one another in both conjugal and common-law partnerships. Instead, immigration authorities will look for proof of substantial emotional and interpersonal relationships that show you are in a serious, committed relationship and want to stay in that relationship long-term.
To be eligible for any type of spousal sponsorship, you must first demonstrate that your relationship is authentic. Immigration inspectors evaluate a variety of variables, depending on the nature of your connection.
Visa officials will look at a variety of factors to see if your connection is real. Some of the more typical items they will evaluate include images of your wedding that show members of your family in attendance. Others may be more specific to the region’s cultural customs. If your connection is unusual, it is essential that you provide further evidence of the sincerity of your relationship. Letters of explanation can also assist a visa officer in understanding why your relationship may not have all of the same symptoms as a more traditional marriage based on your cultural background.
Please be aware that internet marriage ceremonies are not approved for Canadian immigration reasons.
If your application for spousal sponsorship was denied, you may reapply. It is critical, however, to address the cause for the denial in your application with additional information or documents.
Bonafide Immigration, your trusted partner for a successful transition to Canada, proudly offers the highest quality accommodation services. As reflected in our designation, we provide genuine advice, focusing on the bright future of our clients in this beautiful country. Our expert team of immigration consultants in Brampton, Ontario, is committed to guiding you through every step of the immigration process, ensuring a smooth and successful journey to your new home.