What is Spousal Sponsorship?
Spousal sponsorship is a Canadian immigration program that allows a citizen or permanent resident to bring their spouse into the country. In Canada, uniting families together to help attain the goal of a diversified nation is important to the government. This is why Canadian citizens’ and permanent residents’ applications to sponsor their spouses are considered a top priority.
With families united, it helps to reassure the government that permanent residents and citizens would be motivated and more committed to developing the country. The sponsored individual begins the process by applying in support of their foreign spouse. When the application becomes successful, Canadian immigration enables the guest partner to change their immigration status to permanent resident.
If the spouse sponsorship application is processed while the partner stays abroad, Canadian immigration can only issue a Canada Spouse Visa. This is a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) document that indicates that its recipient has been vetted and is considered to be a permanent resident of Canada. Upon entering Canada, the applicant’s spouse immediately assumes the status of a permanent resident in the country.
How Long Does it Take to Sponsor Your Spouse in Canada?
It takes approximately 12 months of processing time to get your spousal sponsorship approved. Since this is a legal procedure, it may sometimes take longer than 12 months depending on the situation surrounding your case. Applicants with complicated cases or one involving the request of additional proof or documentation of your relationship by the visa office would have to wait much longer.
To get your spousal sponsorship processed as swiftly as possible, ensure you have the right documents and processing done right the first time.
Immigration legal practitioners at Click Immigration Consultancy have helped guide several applicants through their spousal sponsorship applications. Try our free online assessment today to get further information on how to bring your loved ones in.
What are the Requirements to Sponsor Your Spouse in Canada?
Canadian citizens and permanent residents may sponsor their spouses and common-law partners if they meet the following criteria:
- Reside in Canada or have plans (with proof) in motion to relocate with their spouse after they become permanent residents in Canada
- Must be at least 18 years of age
- Must be capable of providing basic financial needs for their spouses or partners for the next three years
For married citizens and permanent residents looking to sponsor their wife or husband, Canadian immigration authorities would expect that you have the following proof:
- Relationship Information and Sponsorship Evaluation questionnaire
- Legally-binding (Marriage) certification. Common-law partners can check for their documents
- Wedding invitations and photos
- Provide proof of birth certificates or adoption records of child or children you share
- Marriage registration certificate authorized by the government
Canadian spousal sponsors should also make available at least two of the following documents:
- Share bank statement of account
- Proof of property ownership between you two
- Utility bills charged under both names
- Copies of government-issued IDs of both of you
- Car insurance
- Tax forms or pay stubs that prove that you and your partner reside at a similar address
How Much Does it Cost to Sponsor Your Spouse to Canada?
Spousal sponsorship attracts government processing fees. Canadian citizens looking to bring their spouses as well as dependent children would have to budget an additional $150 charge for the application processing. Below are the basic spousal sponsorship fees requirements:
Sponsorship fee
= $75
Principal applicant processing fee
= $475
Right of permanent residence fee
= $500
Biometrics
= $85
TOTAL = $1135
Sponsors that live or have the intentions of residing in QUEBEC after being issued permanent residency must include an extra $289 fee excluded from the above-mentioned charges.
How Much Money Do You Need to Sponsor Your Spouse to Canada?
Sponsors need not worry about the minimum amount of income when applying for spousal sponsorship. However, applicants must sign an undertaking that proves they are capable and willing to provide financial assistance to the sponsored family member. The terms of the undertaking depending on the category of the program. Usually, a typical spousal sponsorship requires an undertaking that promises at least three years of financial support.
Common-law Sponsorship
In Canadian immigration, common-law relationships fall under a similar category as conventional marriages. For applicants to get their relationships to match the eligibility criteria for common-law sponsorship in Canada, they must present valid proof of cohabitation.
Both sponsors and their common-law partners must prove that they have stayed together for a minimum of one year in a marriage-like relationship.
Conjugal Relationships
Conjugal relationships often require more evidence from a citizen or permanent resident looking to sponsor their partner. Please provide the following documents before applying for spouse sponsorship for your conjugal partner:
Shared residence
Economic support from either party which includes shared bank accounts or other joint financial arrangements
Proof that both family and friends recognize your conjugal relationship
Both common-law and conjugal relationships do not require legal documents or proceedings to prove the validity of your relationships. Instead, immigration officers would look out for interpersonal connections and emotional links between both parties to prove that they are serious about their relationship.
Outland Spousal Sponsorship
Family Class sponsorship also referred to as Outland allows applicants that are outside Canada to sponsor their spouse for permanent residency. Please note that the sponsor must reside in Canada as permanent resident at the time of the application submission but do not necessarily have to be in Canada during the processing. However, once the sponsorship is approved, principal applicant can apply for visitor visa(dual intent) and join their partner in Canada while their permanent residency application is being processed.
Inland Spousal Sponsorship
Both the sponsor and sponsored of Inland spousal sponsorship must reside in Canada at the time of application. Applicants can only apply when they have valid immigration status or currently processing their open work permits at the time of application.
Reasons a Sponsorship Application is Refused
Proving that your relationship is legitimate determines if the application would be approved or not. Immigration officers always scrutinize series of applicants seeking spousal sponsorship. The process may involve screening through weeding pictures to point out family relatives that witness the event. If you do not have conventional proof of your union or relationship, you might have to get additional evidence. If the visa officer doesn’t seem convinced, there’s truly no basis to claim you have a genuine relationship. Sadly, the recent conduction of marriage ceremonies online doesn’t qualify as verifiable proof for getting your spousal sponsorship application approved in Canada.
FAQ
Yes; Applicants of spousal work permits have the option of applying from various countries with Canada Visa Offices or in Canada.
Yes, your spouse can apply for an open work permit.
Application fees for spousal work permits could vary between 1,500 CAD and 2,000 CAD as a result of the several immigration fees.
Processing time varies for different applicants depending on the types of documents tendered during application. For specific processing time and access to other relevant information about open work permit, visit the official website.
833 322 5425
info@clickimmigration.com