Spousal sponsorship is a legal process in Canada that allows Canadian citizens or permanent residents to bring their partners to live permanently in the country. Canada places great importance on family, so applications for spousal sponsorship are highly prioritized.
If you have a legally valid civil marriage, regardless of the gender involved, you can sponsor your spouse for immigration purposes. The marriage must either be legally performed in Canada or legally recognized in the country where it occurred and in Canada.
How to Sponsor a Spouse or Common-Law Partner
If you are in a common-law relationship, you can sponsor your partner, regardless of their gender. This applies as long as you have been living together – or have lived together – for at least 12 consecutive months in a relationship that resembles a marriage.
However, before becoming a sponsor, there are specific criteria you must meet, regardless of whether you are sponsoring a spouse or a common-law partner. You must meet the following requirements to be a sponsor:
- Be 18 years or older
- Be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident
- Be living in Canada (if you are currently living outside of Canada, you must demonstrate that you plan to live in Canada when your spouse or common-law partner becomes a permanent resident)
- Prove that you are not receiving social assistance
Additionally, as a sponsor, you must demonstrate that you can provide for your own basic needs, as well as those of your spouse or partner and any dependents. However, if you have already signed an undertaking for a previous spouse or family member, and it has not been three years since they became a permanent resident, you may be ineligible to sponsor a new spouse or family member.
Moreover, if you have previously sponsored someone and failed to repay any social assistance while the undertaking was in effect, you are disqualified from sponsoring. It is also important to note that you cannot sponsor anyone if you are in default on a performance bond or an immigration loan or if you have not fulfilled court-ordered child support or alimony payments.
How Does Sponsorship Work?
Once you’ve met the sponsorship requirements, you can download and complete the PDF forms in the application package and digitally or electronically sign them. The person you are sponsoring must upload the documents to their online application and digitally sign the entire application. The application package contains:
- a document checklist for you (the sponsor) and your spouse or common-law partner
- forms for the sponsor and the sponsored person to complete
- an instructional guide to help you complete the form correctly
For sponsored individuals, the process may involve creating an online account on the permanent residence application portal. After creating the account, you will be required to complete digital forms online. Once you’ve filled out the forms, pay your application fees and provide additional information requested by immigration authorities during the processing of your application.
Canada Immigration Lawyers in Vancouver
Hiring an immigration lawyer does not mean your case will get special attention from the immigration authorities and does not guarantee success. However, experienced immigration lawyers, like those at Goldman Associates, can help you avoid the common mistakes that sometimes ruin applications.
Our dedicated immigration lawyers will guide you through the sponsorship process and ensure all requirements are clear. They’ll help prepare your application, prepare you for any interviews and give your application its best chance of success.
Call 604-900-3259 or book a consultation online to get started with your spousal sponsorship.