Canada’s Spousal Sponsorship Canada
What is Canada’s Spousal Sponsorship Program?
Canada’s Spousal Sponsorship Program is a component of the Family Class category of Canadian immigration. It enables Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their spouse or common-law partner for permanent residency in Canada. The program aims to promote family reunification by allowing Canadian citizens and permanent residents to bring their foreign spouse or partner to live with them in Canada.
To be eligible for sponsorship, the sponsor must be at least 18 years old, a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, and meet certain financial requirements to demonstrate their ability to support their spouse or partner. The sponsored spouse or partner must be legally married to the sponsor or in a genuine and committed common-law relationship.
The Spousal Sponsorship Program is divided into two main categories:
- Inland Sponsorship:
This category is for couples who are already living together in Canada. The sponsored spouse or partner can apply for an open work permit while the sponsorship application is being processed, allowing them to work in Canada while awaiting a decision on their permanent residency application.
- Outland Sponsorship:
This category is for couples where the sponsored spouse or partner is residing outside of Canada. The sponsorship application is processed through a visa office serving the applicant’s country of residence. If approved, the sponsored spouse or partner will receive permanent residency and can then travel to Canada to join their sponsor.
Both categories require the sponsor and sponsored person to provide evidence of their genuine relationship, including documents such as marriage certificates, joint bank accounts, shared property, photographs, and other supporting documents.
The Spousal Sponsorship Program aims to ensure that spouses and partners can live together in Canada, promoting family unity and enabling them to build their lives together in the country.
Canada Spouse Visa: Sponsor Requirements
To sponsor your spouse or partner for a Canada Spouse Visa, you must meet certain requirements as the sponsor. Here are the sponsor requirements for the Spousal Sponsorship Program in Canada:
Age: You must be at least 18 years old to sponsor your spouse or partner.
Citizenship or Permanent Residency: You must be a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident of Canada, or a registered Indian under the Canadian Indian Act.
Relationship Status: You must be legally married to your spouse or in a common-law or conjugal relationship. Common-law partners must have lived together continuously for at least one year.
Intention to Live in Canada: You must demonstrate that you and your spouse or partner intend to live together in Canada after they become a permanent resident.
Financial Ability: As the sponsor, you need to demonstrate that you have sufficient income to support your spouse or partner financially. This is to ensure that they do not need to rely on social assistance programs.
Criminal Record: You must not have been convicted of certain offenses, such as offenses related to domestic violence, sexual offenses, or offenses against a family member. A criminal record check will be conducted during the sponsorship process.
Sponsorship Undertaking: By sponsoring your spouse or partner, you agree to provide financial support for them for a specified period. This is known as the sponsorship undertaking, and it usually lasts for three years from the date your spouse or partner becomes a permanent resident.
Spousal Sponsorship Canada: Step-By-Step Process
The process of sponsoring a spouse or partner through the Spousal Sponsorship Program in Canada involves several steps. Here is a step-by-step overview of the process:
As the sponsor, ensure that you meet the eligibility requirements to sponsor your spouse or partner. This includes being a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, being at least 18 years old, and meeting the financial requirements to support your spouse or partner.
Collect all the necessary documents to support your sponsorship application and prove the genuineness of your relationship. These documents may include marriage certificates, birth certificates, passports, photographs, joint bank account statements, lease agreements, and any other evidence that demonstrates your shared life together.
Fill out the appropriate application forms for the Spousal Sponsorship Program. This typically includes the sponsorship application (IMM 1344) and the permanent residency application for your spouse or partner (IMM 0008). Ensure that all the forms are completed accurately and signed.
Submit the completed application package to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The application should include all the required forms, supporting documents, and the appropriate sponsorship and processing fees.
Once the application is submitted, you will need to wait for the processing of your application. IRCC will review the application and may request additional documents or information if needed. The processing time can vary, and it is advisable to check the current processing times on the IRCC website.
In some cases, IRCC may request an interview with the sponsor or the sponsored person to further assess the genuineness of the relationship. Additionally, medical examinations may be required for the sponsored person to ensure admissibility to Canada.
Once the application is processed, IRCC will make a decision on the sponsorship application. If approved, the sponsored spouse or partner will receive permanent residency in Canada. They may be issued a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) document and a permanent resident visa (if applicable).
The sponsored spouse or partner can then travel to Canada to become a permanent resident. At the port of entry, they will need to present their COPR, passport, and any other required documents to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officer.
As the sponsor, you will have to fulfill the sponsorship undertaking, which is a legal agreement to financially support your spouse or partner for a specific period. This period is typically three years from the date they become a permanent resident.