Spousal Sponsorship Canada

Spousal sponsorship is an immigration category that allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their spouses or common-law partners. This family-based immigration mechanism is geared towards reuniting families in Canada.

Although the IRCC strives to process spousal sponsorship applications as quickly as possible, processing times can vary. This is particularly true when the visa office needs to request additional documentation to verify the genuineness of the relationship.

What is spousal sponsorship?

Spousal sponsorship Canada is an immigration pathway that allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their spouses, common-law partners and conjugal partners to come to Canada and become a Canadian citizen or permanent resident (PR). As with any other Canadian immigration pathway, there are many requirements that must be met before a sponsor can be approved to sponsor their loved one.

There are also strict standards to ensure that the couple has a genuine relationship with each other. Marriages of convenience, in which a partner enters into a relationship to gain privilege under Canada’s immigration laws and policies, are absolutely unacceptable.

A spousal sponsorship application can be a strong indication of immigration fraud if there are sketchy documents, such as separate bank accounts or a joint bank account opened only a few days before the application was filed.

There are two main pathways for spousal sponsorship. Applicants can either apply for sponsorship "outland" or “inside Canada.” The Outland path is generally faster than the Inland pathway, but it comes with certain risks. The Inland path, on the other hand, has a few advantages, including the possibility of the sponsored person being able to work in Canada while the sponsorship application is pending.

What are the requirements for spousal sponsorship?

If you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and wish to sponsor your spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner to come to Canada for permanent residency, you will need to meet certain requirements. This includes submitting documents supporting your relationship and signing an undertaking agreement with the applicant to provide support for their basic needs while they are in Canada.

As a result, it is important to consult a knowledgeable Canada sponsorship lawyer before completing a sponsorship application. The lawyer can help ensure that all required documentation is provided and that your application is prepared in the best possible light.

The immigration officer may also conduct an interview to assess whether your relationship is genuine. The visa officer will look for a number of factors, including contradictory information on the sponsorship application forms and supporting documents, age and religion difference, a short period between meeting your partner and marriage, or little or no cohabitation.

For couples who intend to stay in Canada while their spousal sponsorship application is pending, there is a special visa called an open work permit. This allows the sponsored person to work and live in Canada while waiting for IRCC to process their sponsorship application.

How much income do I need to sponsor my spouse?

Unlike other sponsorship programs, there is no minimum income requirement for spousal sponsorship. Instead, you must sign an undertaking agreement that promises to provide your spouse or partner with the basic financial needs of a Canadian household.

However, immigration officers may assess whether you have sufficient funds to meet your responsibilities. This is called the Low Income Cut Off Requirement (LICO).

Sponsors must prove assets that are worth five times more than the poverty level for their family size. This is typically a home, savings accounts, stocks or bonds, and other personal belongings.

In addition, sponsors must also prove that they will continue to receive income from sources within Canada after their immigration application is approved. This may include jobs they already have in the United States or a job they expect to get in the country after immigrating.

How much does it cost to sponsor a spouse?

If you’re interested in spousal sponsorship, you can use this IRCC tool to enter your personal details and receive an application kit and document checklist personalized for your situation. You’ll need to follow the requirements in this kit, as any deviation can cause your application to be refused by IRCC.

A spouse, common-law partner or conjugal partner who is sponsored to Canada will need to prove that they have a genuine relationship with their sponsoring partner and are intending to live together in Canada upon being granted permanent residence. They must also provide convincing evidence that they have been living together as a marriage-like relationship for at least a year.

IRCC also requires you to sign an undertaking that promises to financially support your spouse, common-law or conjugal partner for a period of at least three years after they become a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. This undertaking cannot be cancelled or withdrawn, even if your financial situation changes after you sponsor your spouse, common-law or conjugal partners to Canada.