Spouse Sponsorship Canada: Sponsor Your Spouse to Canada
Over 16 years of Experience Specializing in Spouse Sponsorship Applications in Canada
Canada provides family reunification options for married couples, common-law, and conjugal partners.
Every case is evaluated according to its unique challenges and treated with the care it deserves
Our professional team works to prevent delays and application refusals
More than 16 years of experience
Our consultants are licensed by CICC in all provinces
Dedicated quality assurance team
Hundreds of successful cases per year
Services available in English, Spanish and French
Specialty in LMIAs, work permits and family sponsorships
What is Spouse Sponsorship?
Spouse sponsorship in Canada 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 Spouse Sponsorship Eligibility
Canadian citizens and permanent residents may sponsor their significant other, however there are certain requirements that must be met.
Both partners must be above the age of consent in Canada (18 years of age)
The sponsor must be a citizen or permanent resident living in Canada. If the sponsor is living abroad, this option is still possible for citizens if they intend to return to Canada once their partner is a permanent resident.
The sponsor must be capable of providing financial support for up to three years after receiving permanent residence through sponsorship.
The sponsor must not have been previously convicted of a violent or sexual offence, or an offence that caused bodily harm to a relative; the sponsor must not also not have attempted or threatened to commit any of the offences previously mentioned.
The relationship is genuine and both partners have previously met in person,
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.
The applicant must prove they can support themselves and their spouse through income or assets.
The applicant must not be receiving income support from any province or territory and must not be in bankruptcy proceedings.
How much does a Canada Spouse Visa Cost?
The processing fees for a spouse 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.
Who Can Be Sponsored for Spouse Sponsorship?
In order to be eligible to be sponsored, the partner must:
Be of or over the age of 18
Be legally married to the sponsor
Further conditions will depend on the personal circumstances and the application stream of the candidates
How Long Does it Take to Sponsor a Spouse in Canada?
An estimate of the processing times for Canada spouse 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 Spouse Sponsorship Applications
Some common reasons for refusal are:
Errors in information submitted.
Lack of proper documentation and evidence.
Applicants did not prove beyond reasonable doubt the genuineness of their relationship.
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.
Let the Pros take care of your application
We’ll get back to you within a few hours
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:
Joint bank account statements
Receipts with proof of purchase and payments
Lease contracts
Screenshots of previous conversations
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
We’ll get back to you within a few hours
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.
3 years from the day the person you sponsor becomes a permanent resident.
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.
