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Spousal Sponsorship Canada: Sponsor Your Partner to Canada

Over 15 years of Experience Specializing in Spousal Sponsorship Applications

Our professional team works to prevent delays and application refusals

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15+ years of experience

More than 15 years of experience

Licensed by CICC and in every Canadian province

Our consultants are licensed by CICC in all provinces

Dedicated quality assurance team

Dedicated quality assurance team

Hundreds of successful cases per year

Hundreds of successful cases per year

We speak English, French, and Spanish

Services available in English, Spanish and French

Specialized in LMIAs, work permits, and family sponsorships

Specialty in Spousal Sponsorship

What is Spousal Sponsorship?

Spousal sponsorship is an immigration pathway designed to reunite partners in Canada. This program includes conjugal partners, common-law partners, and same-sex marriage. It is similar to other family sponsorship programs that allow Canadians to reunite with their families abroad.

Canada Spousal Sponsorship Eligibility

Canadian citizens and permanent residents may sponsor their significant other, however there are certain requirements that must be met.

What is the Minimum Income to Sponsor a Spouse in Canada?

Sponsoring a spouse can be quite costly as the applicant must demonstrate to the government that the spouse will not be a financial burden to the economy.

How much does a Canada Spouse Visa Cost?

The processing fees for a spousal sponsorship are broken down on the official government website Generally, with the right of permanent residence fee, the application can cost around $1,080. This is made up of the sponsorship fee ($75), the principal applicant processing fee ($490) and right of permanent residence fee ($515). If the sponsor lives in Quebec or intends to move to Quebec upon the issuance of permanent residence, an additional fee of $289 will apply.

Family-Sponsorship 2

Who Can Be Sponsored for Spouse Sponsorship?

In order to be eligible to be sponsored, the partner must:

How Long Does it Take to Sponsor a Spouse in Canada?

An estimate of the processing times for spousal sponsorships is available here. The processing time will vary depending on the complexity of the application and the applicants’ personal circumstances. Generally however, the processing time is around 12 months. 

What Are Common Refusal Reasons for Spousal Sponsorship Applications

Some common reasons for refusal are:

Our Process

01

Outreach

Call or fill out our contact form for a free assessment. Our team of professionals will evaluate your case and provide you with professional feedback on your chances of success and a quote.

02

Strategy Creation

Our team of professionals will work with you to create a tailor-made strategy that is likely to result in a successful spouse sponsorship application.

03

Case Revision

We will review your supporting documents thoroughly and work towards building a strong case.

04

Representation

In order to make this an easy and stress-free process, we will handle all communication with the government on your behalf while we wait for a decision, keeping you informed every step of the way.

05

Decision

Once a decision has been made, our team will advise you on the next necessary steps.

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Can I Sponsor my Fiancé, Girlfriend or Boyfriend?

Unfortunately, Canada discontinued the fiancé class sponsorship a few years ago. However, if you have lived 12 consecutive months with your girlfriend/boyfriend in a marriage-like situation, you may qualify for spousal sponsorship under the common-law partner category.

If you have not cohabitated with your fiancé for 12 months, there are other options that may apply to you. Remember that you can start working on your application before you get married.

What Documents do I need to Submit for the Spousal Sponsorship Application? Proof of a Genuine Relationship

Applying for sponsorship goes much further than meeting the requirements that are mandated by the government of Canada. When applying for sponsorship, couples will be required to submit proof of a genuine and legitimate relationship, regardless of the family class through which they are applying. Couples will be asked to submit photographs, documents and other types of evidence to prove the relationship is legitimate. The type of proof that must be submitted will depend on the type of relationship and their current living arrangements. Other documents that can serve as proof are:

Challenges in Spousal Partnership applications

Applying for sponsorship comes with many challenges, and every case is unique. While your situation may be clear to you, it can be difficult to convey it to the authorities in a way that shows your relationship is genuine.

During the sponsorship process, couples are tasked with gathering proof of their relationship in a way that they may not otherwise have to do if they were from the same country. However, it’s a necessary step of the process which will ensure your application results in a successful outcome.

Working with an Immigration Consultant

Whether you have an easy case or a complex one, it’s always an asset to work with an immigration consultant who is experienced in the subject of family sponsorship.

Immigration Pros is a team of professional immigration consultants with over 15 years of experience, specializing in family sponsorship, LMIAs and work permits.

An immigration consultant will provide you with solutions, answer questions, advise you, and keep the process organized. The help of an immigration consultant will keep the process straightforward and stress-free with no delays and a reduced chance of refusal.

Our service fees:
CA$3,090 - CA$3,990

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Spouse Sponsorship

FAQs

If you are not married, you can sponsor your partner under the following conditions:

  • Common-law partner – As long as you’ve been living or have lived with your partner for at least 12 consecutive months in a marriage-like relationship you may sponsor them as a common-law partner.
  • Conjugal partner – If there is a significant degree of attachment between you, implying not just a physical relationship but a mutually interdependent relationship, and you’ve been in a genuine relationship for at least 12 months where marriage or cohabitation hasn’t been possible because of barriers such as sexual orientation, religious faith, etc.

Yes! A Canadian citizen or permanent resident’s wife can successfully immigrate to Canada. Your wife is considered your spouse as you are legally married. For your wife to obtain a Canadian visa, you could apply through various immigration pathways, wife sponsorship/spousal sponsorship being one of them. You should be capable of providing financial support to your wife for up to 3 years after she receives permanent residency.

You may withdraw your sponsorship application at any time before the person you’re sponsoring becomes a permanent resident of Canada. You may be able to get a refund if the government hasn’t begun processing your application.

Unless your decision letter states otherwise, you may reapply for the spousal sponsorship.

Spousal sponsorships filed where both partners are in Canada cannot be appealed, you will have to reapply. If your partner is outside of Canada, an appeal can be filed within 30 days of receiving a refusal letter, otherwise, the refusal stands.

Unlike other visa types, there is no intake limit for spousal sponsorships. Canada accepts spousal sponsorship applications throughout the year.

Yes. If you live in Quebec, the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Diversité et de l’Inclusion will send you other forms to fill out. There may also be additional fees.

Other than relationship breakdown, some risks are undertaken by the sponsor. The sponsor will have more obligations than the sponsored partner as they must legally provide for them and, upon failing to do so, the immigrant may quit a job filing a lawsuit against the sponsor.
Yes, applicants can leave Canada once the application is submitted.
Yes, your spouse or partner can come to visit you in Canada while you await a decision but there is no specific visa for this purpose.

If your spouse already has status in Canada – for instance inland applicants – they can live with you while awaiting a decision. Otherwise they would need permission to stay in Canada.

Once you have submitted your application, it cannot be changed. The sponsor or applicant must request withdrawal and resubmit the application if any errors were made.

Many practice questions can be found online through a quick google search. The questions generally serve to establish the genuineness of your relationship, so many focus on the development of your relationship with your partner and how well you know them, such as “where did you first meet?” “what gifts have you given one another?” “do you plan to have children?” etc.

Beware of ghost Immigration Consultants! Only Certified Canadian Immigration and Citizenship Consultant members in good standing with the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC) can offer consultation services for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada applications.