Spousal Sponsorship

It is your legal right as a Canadian citizen or permanent resident to nominate your spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal companion from outside Canada to immigrate to Canada and live with you permanently.

Spousal Sponsorship Canada Requirements

The IRCC specifies the following criteria that must be met to be considered a supporter for your husband, common-law partner, or conjugal partner:

• Justify your suitability as a companion by demonstrating your ability to meet his or her most fundamental requirements
• – You must provide proof that you are not receiving public aid for any reason other than impairment. Age 18 or older
• – To qualify, you must either be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, or an Indian recognized under the Canadian Indian Act. Keep in mind:
• – Permanent residents
• – Who are currently living outside of Canada are ineligible to act as sponsors.
• – If you are a Canadian citizen residing outside of Canada and would like to support your companion or spouse for permanent residence in Canada, you must demonstrate that you intend to return to Canada.
• – BTo show that you can monetarily support your sponsored spouse and any dependent children she or he may have, you must have a LICO score that is at or above the minimal threshold set by immigration authorities. You must execute the Undertaking and Sponsorship Agreement as part of the registration process. By signing the undertaking, you, the supporter, promise the following to your partner or husband for the duration of the relationship, which may last up to three years, regardless of whether or not you remain together.(3yrs)
• – If you live in Quebec, you must satisfy Quebec’s visa and sponsorship criteria in order to become a sponsor.
• – The sponsor will provide for the sponsored person’s essential necessities. – The spouse or partner you support will do their best to provide for themselves and their family. The Canadian state of Quebec conducts its own financial review and asks for a separate promise from you.
• – When completing your application, you must sign the undertaking and sponsorship agreement. As the sponsor, you sign the undertaking promising that:
  • — You’ll provide financial assistance to your partner or spouse for three years even if your relationship ends
  • — You’ll pay back any provisional social aid offered to the sponsored partner/spouse within the undertaking period(3yrs)

The sponsorship agreement is an agreement signed by the sponsor and the person being sponsored. It’s an agreement that:

• – The sponsor will cater to the basic needs of the sponsored person
• – The spouse or partner you sponsor will do their best to provide for themselves and their family members
• – If you live in Quebec, you must satisfy Quebec’s visa and sponsorship criteria in order to become a sponsor. – The sponsor will provide for the sponsored person’s essential necessities.
• – The spouse or partner you support will do their best to provide for themselves and their family. The Canadian state of Quebec conducts its own financial review and asks for a separate promise from you.
• – Establish the authenticity of your connection with the individual you intend to sponsor.
• – Spouses must provide proof of marriage and must be at least 18 years old; common-law partners must also meet these requirements and must show evidence of having resided together consistently for at least a year.
• – You and your “conjugal partner” must both be at least 18 years old and in a committed partnership for at least a year. You’ll need to provide evidence that you and your spouse aren’t compatible to live as common-law partners or get married.

The following situations may prevent you from sponsoring your husband or partner:

• – You were convicted of a violent criminal offence, sexual crime, or any offence against your family members within or outside Canada
• – If you’ve been a permanent resident for less than five years and you were sponsored by a spouse or partner
• – You’re still accountable for another partner or spouse that you sponsored (3-year undertaking agreement)
• – If you: – Have a current conviction – Have not paid back an immigration debt or required family support payments – Were unable to provide for the basic and financial requirements of the person you sponsored – Then you have been given a Removal Order.
• – Filed for insolvency

How to Apply for Spousal Sponsorship Canada

1. Verify Eligibility

Make sure you and your prospective sponsoring partner meet the minimal criteria. Before moving forward with a Canadian spouse support application, make sure you meet all of the prerequisites.

2. Get the Application Package

Get the most up-to-date spouse funding application package and write it out completely. The registration materials include:

• – Paperwork to be completed by both the supporter (sponsorship request) and the sponsored companion or spouse (permanent residence application) – A document check-list to use with the individual you’re hoping to support to make sure you both include everything that’s needed.
• – To assist you and your prospective spouse in filling out the necessary funding paperwork, we have provided the following guidance.

Make an Application for Sponsorship and Send It In

Submit the sponsorship request and permanent residence application together by following the provided postal directions or by using a courier service once you have filled out the forms, attached all the required documents, reviewed them carefully, and paid any applicable fees.

Elaborate on Previous Statements

When IRCC gets your sponsorship application, they may contact your spouse or companion for additional documentation. This entails things like physical exams, security clearances, and biometrics.

Duration of Process for Spousal Sponsorship

There is currently a 12-month wait period for applications for spouse support.

Sponsorship Checklist for Spouses

• – Make sure you and the individual you want to sponsor both meet the requirements; have all paperwork and other evidence of your connection ready; pay all fees in a timely manner; and use the proper methods to do so. Fill out the funding paperwork in full and submit it to IRCC at the same time as per their instructions.

Spousal Sponsorship Cost