spousal sponsorship is the process by which a Canadian citizen or permanent resident can sponsor their partner to come to Canada and live permanently. We recognize how important 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 or partner to come to Canada is right here.
Who can apply for spousal sponsorship?
You may be eligible to sponsor your spouse or partner if you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and meet the following conditions:
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Live in Canada, or plan to return to Canada once your spouse or partner becomes a permanent resident
- Must be able and willing to provide for the basic financial needs of your spouse or partner for three years.
How to apply for Canadian spousal sponsorship?
If you are married to a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, you may be eligible to apply for spousal sponsorship. The process can be long and complicated, so it’s important to be well-prepared before you begin.
To start, you will need to gather all of the required documentation. This includes your birth certificate, passport, marriage certificate, and police clearance certificates. You will also need to fill out several forms, including the sponsorship application and the permanent residence application.
Once you have everything in order, you will need to submit your application package to Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC). They will review your case and decide whether or not you are eligible for spousal sponsorship. If approved, your spouse will need to undergo a medical examination and provide additional documentation before your application can be finalized.
Once everything is in order, CIC will issue a permanent residence visa for you and your spouse. Congratulations! You are now on your way to becoming a permanent resident of Canada.
What documents do I need to submit a spousal sponsorship application?
In order to submit a spousal sponsorship application, you will need to provide the following documents:
1. A valid Canadian passport or travel document
2. Your birth certificate
3. If you have been married before, proof of divorce or annulment
4. If you have ever changed your name, proof of name change
5. Two recent passport photographs of yourself
6. Police certificates from any country where you have lived for six months or more in the last 10 years (if you are 18 years of age or older)
7. A medical examination report completed by a designated medical doctor
8. Evidence of financial support (e.g., bank statements, pay stubs, etc.)
9. A copy of your sponsor’s Canadian permanent resident card or citizenship certificate (if applicable)
10. Proof of your relationship with your sponsor (e.g., joint bank account statements, lease agreements, shared utility bills, etc.)
How much does It cost to sponsor your spouse or partner to Canada?
Government processing fees to sponsor immigrants are as follows, and they will apply whether you are sponsoring your spouse or partner. If you have dependent children and choose to sponsor them, you’ll need to provide an additional $150 for each child included in the application.
Sponsorship fee: $75
Principal applicant processing fee: $475
Right of permanent residence fee: $500
Biometrics: $85
Total: $1135
If the sponsor resides in Quebec and is ready to apply for permanent residence there, an additional $289 CAD would need to be paid on top of the fees mentioned above.
Do I need a job to sponsor my spouse or partner in Canada?
As a sponsor, you do not need a job to bring your spouse to Canada. Unlike other sponsorship programs, there is no income requirement for spousal sponsorship. As such, you should provide some proof of how you will support your spouse in Canada during the application process.
Does my spouse or partner need a job offer to be sponsored under the spousal sponsorship program?
For the spousal sponsorship program, your sponsored spouse or partner does not need to have a job offer in Canada.
Does my spouse or partner need to demonstrate English or French language proficiency?
Your sponsored spouse or partner is not required to demonstrate English or French ability.
Your spouse or partner, on the other hand, will very certainly be required to take a language proficiency exam when applying for Canadian citizenship later.
My spouse or partner has a serious medical condition, can I still sponsor them?
As long as your spouse’s medical condition does not risk public health or safety, they should have no problems with their sponsorship application.
Medical inadmissibility can be classified into three types: high demand for health or social services, a threat to public health, and danger to public safety. Excessive demand medical inadmissibility does not apply to sponsored spouses or common-law partners.
How do I submit a spousal sponsorship application?
If you want to apply for spousal sponsorship application, you have two options. You can complete the application form and send it by mail, or apply through IRCC’s new permanent residence application portal.
Is an interview required for spousal sponsorship?
It’s very rare for spousal sponsorship immigration interviews to happen. They are the exception, not the norm. This generally happens when there is a lack of supporting documents on the relationship, contradictions between information on the form and documents, an age gap between the couple, or conflicting religions. However, decisions to interview individuals ultimately come down to the discretion of the visa officer. It would be in your best interest to consult an immigration lawyer before presenting your application if you are at all worried about these aspects of your relationship.
What is the processing time for a spousal sponsorship application?
The processing time for a spousal sponsorship application is typically around 12 months. However, this processing time can vary depending on a number of factors, including:
-The number of applications received by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
-Your particular case (for example, if you have previously been sponsored or if you have any family members in Canada)
-The visa office that is processing your application
-Whether or not you submitted all of the required documentation
If you are interested in finding out more about the processing time for your specific case, you can visit the IRCC website or contact an Our immigration lawyer.
How Cougar Immigration Can Help You
If you are looking to sponsor your spouse for permanent residency in Canada, you’ve come to the right place. The process of spousal sponsorship can be complex, but our team of experienced immigration lawyers can help make it as smooth as possible.
Cougar Immigration can help you with every step of the sponsorship process, from preparing the initial application to providing ongoing support throughout the sponsorship journey. We understand that this is a big decision for both you and your spouse, and we will do everything we can to ensure a successful outcome.
Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you with Canadian spousal sponsorship.
