Spousal Sponsorship

Spousal Sponsorship Program

It is a process under the category of Canada’s family sponsorship program, allowing a Canadian citizen or permanent resident sponsoring their spouse or common-law partner to come and live in Canada permanently. It will enable spouses from other countries to reunite with their loved ones in Canada. This program aims to keep families together and help strengthen Canadian society. The Canadians define spouse, common-law partner and conjugal partner as three different accepted types of spouse.

Eligibility Requirements for Spousal Sponsorship in Canada

The sponsor and the sponsored spouse must meet specific criteria to be eligible for spousal sponsorship in Canada. Some of the eligibility requirements include:

Canadian Citizenship Eligibility Criteria

Some points to consider when applying for Canadian Citizenship are as follows.

Spousal Sponsorship Timeline:

Application package

The first step in the spousal sponsorship process is gathering and completing the application package. This includes application forms, marriage certificates, photos, and other supporting documents. It is important to provide all the necessary information or required documents to avoid rejection or delay of the application.

Letter of acknowledgement

Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada sends a letter of acknowledgement after the submission of the application package to confirm the receipt of the application. This will reassure you that your application is being processed. You may receive requests for additional documents. Thus it is advised to check your online account and email for updates from IRCC.

Medical examination

After the acknowledgement letter, you will be issued medical instructions. The sponsored spouse is required to undergo a medical examination by an authorized panel physician. This exam will directly provide reports to IRCC and make sure that the applicant must be in good health and does not pose any risks to Canadians.

Decision

IRCC will begin the assessment process once all the necessary documents are received, and the medical examination is done. It includes verification of the authenticity of the relationship, conducting background checks, and assessing the eligibility of both the sponsor and the sponsored spouse. You will be allowed to enter Canada as a permanent resident if an officer is satisfied.

Application Forms and Required for Canadian Spousal Sponsorship

The principal applicant must fill out these forms and submit them with supporting documents to apply for spousal sponsorship in Canada.
Some of the common forms include:

Processing Time for Spousal Sponsorship

The processing time for spousal sponsorship applications in Canada can vary depending on several factors, such as the complexity of the application, additional requirements or verifications and type of sponsorship, i.e. inland spousal sponsorship or outside Canada spousal sponsorship program. Generally, spousal sponsorship processing time can range from 12 to 18 months. However, it is also important to note that the processing time begins from the date IRCC receives the application package, and delays can occur if there are any missing documents or discrepancies in the information provided.

Spousal Sponsorship Application Fees

Applying for spousal sponsorship in Canada involves certain fees that cover the processing and assessment of the application. The current fees include:

FAQ

The processing time for spousal sponsorship applications in Canada can vary depending on several factors, such as the complexity of the application, additional requirements or verifications and type of sponsorship, i.e. inland spousal sponsorship or outside Canada spousal sponsorship program. Generally, spousal sponsorship processing time can range from 12 to 18 months.
Yes, you can sponsor your spouse for PR in Canada. For this, you must meet the specific eligibility criteria and show you have enough funds to support them financially.
Applying for spousal sponsorship in Canada involves certain fees that cover the processing and assessment of the application. The current fees include: Sponsorship fee: CAD $75 Principal applicant processing fee: CAD $475 Right of permanent residence fee: CAD $500
IRCC takes 10-27 days to review eligibility for a spousal sponsorship program. It is advised to check your online account and email for updates from IRCC.
Spousal sponsorship in Canada lasts for three years from the date the sponsored person becomes a permanent resident.
If a husband wants to sponsor a woman other than his first as his spouse, he must divorce his former wife and remarry the chosen wife in a legally recognized Canadian form of marriage.

How can we help you?

With Immitrust Immigration consultants, couples can navigate the spousal sponsorship process effectively and look forward to building a life together in Canada.
Scroll to Top