How to Get Spouse Visa in Canada? Sponsorship Requirements and Application Process 2021: If you’re eligible to live in Canada, you can sponsor your spouse, partner or dependent children to become permanent residents of Canada. In this post, we will help you to get spouse visa in Canada providing the information about Sponsorship requirement and how to fill up Canadian Spousal Sponsorship forms online.
Canadian spousal sponsorship is how a Canadian citizen or permanent resident can sponsor their partner to come to Canada and live permanently. In Canada, we know how important it is for families to be together. For this reason, applications for spousal sponsorship are considered a top priority.
The huge economy of the Canada is formed by different immigrants from across the world. So, it is a very popular and preferred residency destination amongst the immigrant community. Through its compassionate immigration policies Canada’s federal government have made high potential for applications from around the globe to live, work, and settle permanently in Canada. For those who are currently settled in Canada with permanent residency visa and willing to bring in their spouse with PR privileges to Canada can opt to avail for Canadian spouse sponsorship visa program. This procedure of spouse visa for Canada PR has a highly acceptable as compared to other visa programs as they’ll not be restricted to fulfill stringent educational requirements, language proficiencies or work experience.
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What is Canadian Spouse Visa?
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The Spouse Sponsorship program allows Canadian citizens and PR holders to sponsor their common-law partner or spouse as Canada Permanent Residents. Upon receiving the sponsorship by their partners, this visa category allows the spouse to come, live, work, and settle permanently in Canada.
The spousal sponsorship visa can be further categorized into:
- Outland sponsorship: to be applied if the sponsored partner is residing outside the border of Canada.
- Inland sponsorship: to be applied if the sponsored partner is living together in Canada under a temporary Canadian status.
Take advantage of an accelerated 12-month processing period by sponsoring your spouse or common-law partner for Canadian permanent residence, whether they are living in Canada with a valid, temporary visa, or residing abroad. Applicants who are living in Canada may also qualify for an open work permit, giving couples the chance to relieve some of their financial burdens.
A spousal open work permit gives sponsored individuals the ability to work in Canada while their sponsorship application is being processed. Since Canada recognizes common-law partnerships, you may be eligible to apply for spousal sponsorship if you and your partner are not married but have been living together for a period of at least one year.
Read Also: Top 9 Ways to Immigrate to Canada
Canadian Spouse Visa Requirements for Eligibility
You can sponsor your spouse, partner or dependent child in Canada if you meet the following eligibility requirements:
- You’re at least 18 years old
- You’re a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident of Canada, or a person registered in Canada as an Indian under the Canadian Indian Act
- If you’re a Canadian citizen living outside Canada, you must show that you plan to live in Canada when the persons you want to sponsor become permanent residents.
- You can’t sponsor someone if you’re a permanent resident living outside Canada.
- You’re able to prove that you’re not receiving social assistance for reasons other than a disability
- you can provide for the basic needs of any persons you want to sponsor
If You Live Outside Quebec
To become a sponsor, you must promise to take care of the persons financially you are sponsoring for a period of time. We call this promise an undertaking.
The undertaking commits you to:
- Providing financial assistance for your sponsored spouse, starting when he/she become permanent residents
- Repaying any provincial social support your sponsored family members get during that time
Also, you and your sponsored family members need to agree to certain responsibilities during the undertaking period. We call this the sponsorship agreement.
The sponsorship agreement means that:
- you’ll provide for the basic needs of your sponsored family members
- the person you sponsor will make every effort to support themselves and their family members
When you apply, you’ll have to complete and sign a form that includes the undertaking and the Canadian sponsorship agreement.
Income requirement for Spouse Sponsorship Visa
In most cases, there isn’t an income requirement to sponsor your spouse or partner or dependent child. You only need to show that you have enough money to meet the income requirements if:
- you’re sponsoring a dependent child that has 1 or more dependent children of their own, or
- you’re sponsoring a spouse or partner that has a dependent child, and their dependent child has 1 or more children of their own.
The Financial Evaluation form instructions explain how much money you’ll need and how to fill out the form. Generally to sponsor a spouse, partner costs from $1,050, or a child from $150. You’ll get the form when you download your application package.
If you live in Quebec
You must meet Quebec’s immigration sponsorship requirements after we approve you as a sponsor. You must sign an undertaking with the province of Quebec.
The Quebec ministry in charge of immigration will assess your income.
Documents Required to Apply Spouse Sponsorship in Canada
The documentation required for sponsoring a dependent under the Canada Dependent Visa includes:
- Passport & travel history
- Background documentation
- Spouse/partner documentation including marriage certificate
- Other proof of relationship
- Income proof of sponsor to show adequate finances
- Completed application & consulate fees
Read Also: Working Holiday Job Visa in Canada
Who Can’t sponsor Spouse, Partner in Canada?
You can’t sponsor your spouse, partner or child if:
- you’re less than 18 years old
- you won’t live in Canada when the persons you want to sponsor become permanent residents
- you’re not a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident of Canada, or a person registered in Canada as an Indian under the Canadian Indian Act
- you’re a temporary resident, that is you’re visiting, studying or working in Canada on a visa or permit
- your permanent residence application is still in process
- You must have permanent resident status at the time you submit your sponsorship application.
- you don’t have enough money to support the persons you want to sponsor (if applicable)
You may not be eligible to sponsor your spouse, partner if you:
- were sponsored by a spouse or partner and you became a permanent resident less than 5 years ago
- are still financially responsible for a previous spouse or partner that you sponsored. This means you’re still bound by the 3 year undertaking to take care of this person.
You may not be eligible to sponsor your spouse, partner or child if you:
- you have already applied to sponsor the spouse, parent or child you are currently seeking to sponsor and a decision on that application hasn’t been made
- are in jail, prison, or a penitentiary
- didn’t pay back:
- an immigration loan
- a performance bond
- court-ordered family support payments such as alimony or child support (not applicable if you live in Quebec)
- didn’t give the financial support you agreed to when you signed a sponsorship agreement to sponsor someone else in the past (not applicable if you live in Quebec)
- declared bankruptcy and are not discharged (not applicable if you live in Quebec)
- receive social assistance for a reason other than a disability
- you were convicted of attempting, threatening to commit or committing a violent criminal offence, any offence against a relative or any sexual offence inside or outside Canada
- can’t legally stay in Canada and must leave the country because you received a Removal Order
There may be other reasons that make you ineligible to sponsor your spouse, partner or child. If we determine you’re not eligible to sponsor, we’ll tell you why.
Sponsoring Spouse if You Live Outside Canada
If you’re a Canadian citizen living outside Canada, you can sponsor your:
- spouse,
- common-law partner,
- conjugal partner,
- dependent child.
You must show that you’ll live in Canada when the sponsored person becomes a permanent resident.
How to Apply for Spouse Visa in Canada?
To apply to sponsor your spouse, partner or child, there are 2 type of spousal sponsorship application:
- You must apply to become a sponsor.
- Your spouse, partner or child must apply for permanent residence.
Send both the sponsorship and the permanent residence applications together at the same time.
If you want to sponsor your adopted child or an orphaned family member, follow the instructions to sponsor your adopted child instead.
If you live in Quebec, find out the steps to take to sponsor your spouse, partner or child in Quebec.
There are 4 steps to sponsor your spouse, partner or child:
1. Get the application package
The application package includes the:
- document checklist for you and the persons you want to sponsor
- forms you and the persons you want to sponsor need to fill out
- instruction guide to help you and your family members fill out the forms correctly
Read the guide carefully before you complete the application form. The sponsorship application fee for processing your application can’t be refunded.
Make sure:
- you’re eligible to sponsor before you apply
- you list all your family members
- all the information on your application is true
- your application is complete
2. Pay your application fees
In most cases, your fees will include:
- processing fees for you, the persons you’re sponsoring and their dependants
- the right of permanent residence fee
- the biometrics fee
You have to pay your fees online (opens in a new tab).
Biometrics fee
In most cases, you must pay a biometrics (fingerprints and photo) fee when you submit your application. Otherwise you may experience delays. The biometrics fee covers the cost of collecting fingerprints and a digital photo.
Third-party fees
Depending on your situation, you may need to pay third parties for:
- your medical exam
- a police certificate
The instruction guide can help you understand which fees apply to you.
3. Submit your application
The mailing instructions are in the application guide.
You may use a courier service to submit your application, if you want to. Courier services will help you track your application. You can also use regular mail.
Find out how long it will take to process your application.
We’ll return your application to you if:
- it’s incomplete
- fees are missing
4. Send us additional information during processing
During processing, we’ll ask the person you’re sponsoring to submit their:
- biometrics
- When the biometrics fee is paid, we’ll send your family members a letter asking them to give their biometrics.
- Your family members must show this letter when they give their biometrics.
- They have 30 days to give their biometrics in person at their closest collection point.
- medical exams
- police certificates
- You need to include police certificates when you apply.
- You need them for the person being sponsored and each family member 18 or older (who isn’t already a Canadian citizen or permanent resident).
- Police certificates are generally valid for 1 year from the date they’re issued.
- Depending on processing times, we may ask you for new certificates.
We’ll send instructions and let your family members how much time they have to send us this information.
You must tell us of any change in circumstances, such as:
- birth or adoption of children
- marriage or divorce or separation
- death of an applicant or a dependent
How Long Does it Take to Sponsor Your Spouse in Canada?
Sponsorship applications take approximately 12 months to process from start to finish. They are typically not processed much faster than 12 months but they can take longer, depending on the nature of your case.
If you have a complicated case, or the visa office requires additional proof of your relationship, this will delay the processing of your case and it will take longer.
The best way to ensure your sponsorship application is processed as quickly as possible is to make sure it is done right the first time. The lawyers and legal professionals at Canadim have helped thousands of spousal sponsorship applications. Find out how Canadim can help bring your loved ones to Canada by taking our free online assessment.
How Much Does it Cost to Sponsor Your Spouse to Canada?
The government processing fees to sponsor your spouse in Canada are listed below. If you are sponsoring your spouse and they have dependent children, then an additional $150 payment will be required 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 or intends to reside in Quebec upon the issuance of permanent residence, an additional fee of $289 CAD will need to be paid in addition to the fees mentioned above.