Spousal Sponsorship
If you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, you may be able to sponsor your spouse, partner or child to become a permanent resident of Canada. This is called spousal sponsorship or Canada spousal sponsorship. Spousal sponsorship is a major part of Canada’s immigration system and aims to reunite families and promote social and economic integration.
In this post, we will explain the eligibility criteria, the application process, the processing time and the benefits of spousal sponsorship in Canada.
Who can sponsor their spouse, partner or child?
To be eligible to sponsor your spouse, partner or child, you must meet the following requirements:
- You must be at least 18 years old
- You must live in Canada or intend to return once your spouse or partner becomes a permanent resident of Canada
- You must be able and willing to provide for the basic financial needs of your spouse or partner for three years
- You must not have a criminal record, a serious health problem, a previous sponsorship debt or a history of defaulting on financial obligations
- You must not have been sponsored by a spouse or partner within the last five years
Who can be sponsored as a spouse, partner or child?
You can sponsor your spouse, partner or child if they fall into one of these categories:
- Your spouse: This is someone you are legally married to and who is at least 18 years old
- Your common-law partner: This is someone you have been living with in a conjugal relationship for at least one year and who is at least 18 years old
- Your conjugal partner: This is someone you have been in a committed and exclusive relationship with for at least one year but who you cannot live with due to exceptional circumstances such as immigration barriers, religious reasons or sexual orientation discrimination
- Your dependent child: This is your biological or adopted child who is under 22 years old and does not have a spouse or partner, or who is over 22 years old but depends on you financially due to a physical or mental condition
Who can be sponsored as a spouse, partner or child?
To apply for spousal sponsorship in Canada, there are two applications that need to be submitted:
- The sponsor application: This is where you apply to become a sponsor and provide information about yourself, your relationship and your financial situation
- The permanent residence application: This is where your spouse, partner or child applies for permanent residence and provides information about their identity, background and admissibility
You must apply online for both applications through the Permanent residence online application portal. You will need to fill out digital forms, upload supporting documents and pay the required fees. The fees include:
- The sponsorship fee: $75 CAD
- The processing fee: $475 CAD for spouses or partners; $150 CAD for dependent children
- The right of permanent residence fee: $500 CAD for spouses or partners; not applicable for dependent children
- The biometrics fee: $85 CAD per person
You must also submit medical exams, police certificates and proof of relationship as part of your application. If you live in Quebec, you will also need to obtain a certificate of selection from the Quebec government.
Who can be sponsored as a spouse, partner or child?
The Canadian government aims to make decisions on spousal sponsorship applications within 12 months. However, this may vary depending on factors such as:
- The volume of applications received
- The complexity of your case
- The completeness and accuracy of your application
- The country of origin of your spouse, partner or child
- The availability of medical and security screening services
- The impact of COVID-19 on travel and operations
You can check the status of your application online through your account. You can also sign up for email notifications to receive updates on your application.
What are the benefits of spousal sponsorship in Canada?
Spousal sponsorship in Canada offers many benefits for both the sponsor and the sponsored person. Some of these benefits are:
- Permanent residence status: Your spouse, partner or child will become a permanent resident of Canada once their application is approved. This means they can live, work and study anywhere in Canada without any restrictions. They can also access social benefits such as health care, education and pensions.
- Family reunification: You and your spouse, partner or child will be able to live together in Canada and enjoy a stable and secure family life. You will also be able to sponsor other eligible relatives such as parents, grandparents and siblings in the future.
- Citizenship eligibility: Your spouse, partner or child will be eligible to apply for Canadian citizenship after they have lived in Canada as a permanent resident for at least three years out of the last five years. They will also need to meet other requirements such as language skills, knowledge of Canada and loyalty to Canada.
Spousal sponsorship in Canada is a great opportunity for Canadians and permanent residents to bring their loved ones to Canada and enjoy a better quality of life. However, spousal sponsorship is not a simple or easy process. It requires careful planning, preparation and patience. If you need help with your spousal sponsorship application, you may want to consult a qualified immigration professional who can guide you through the process and increase your chances of success.
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FAQs
The processing time for spousal sponsorship in Canada depends on several factors, such as the type of application, the country of origin of the sponsored person, the completeness and accuracy of the application, and the impact of COVID-19 on travel and operations. The Canadian government aims to make decisions on spousal sponsorship applications within 12 months, but this may vary depending on the individual circumstances of each case. You can check the status of your application online through your account or sign up for email notifications to receive updates.
Inland spousal sponsorship is when both the sponsor and the sponsored person are living in Canada at the time of application. Outland spousal sponsorship is when either the sponsor or the sponsored person is living outside Canada at the time of application. Both types of applications have their own advantages and disadvantages. For example, inland applicants may be eligible for an open work permit while waiting for their permanent residence, but they may face longer processing times and more restrictions on travel. Outland applicants may benefit from faster processing times and more flexibility on travel, but they may not be able to work or study in Canada until they receive their permanent residence.
There are some steps you can take to reduce the spousal sponsorship processing time for your application, such as:
- Applying online through the Permanent Residence online application portal
- Filling out all the required forms accurately and completely
- Providing all the supporting documents as per the document checklist
- Paying all the required fees
- Submitting medical exams, police certificates and proof of relationship as soon as possible
- Responding promptly to any requests for additional information or documents from IRCC
- Updating your contact information if it changes
Canada immigration spousal sponsorship offers many benefits for both the sponsor and the sponsored person, such as:
- Permanent residence status: The sponsored person will become a permanent resident of Canada once their application is approved. This means they can live, work and study anywhere in Canada without any restrictions. They can also access social benefits such as health care, education and pensions.
- Family reunification: The sponsor and the sponsored person will be able to live together in Canada and enjoy a stable and secure family life. They will also be able to sponsor other eligible relatives such as parents, grandparents and siblings in the future.