The Canadian Spousal Sponsorship program allows Canadian citizens or permanent residents to sponsor their spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner for permanent residency. The goal is to help families reunite and remain together in Canada. Here’s how it works:
1. Eligibility Requirements for the Sponsor
- Residency Status: The sponsor must be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident living in Canada. If they are a Canadian citizen living abroad, they must prove they plan to reside in Canada once the sponsored person gains permanent residency.
- Age: The sponsor must be at least 18 years old.
- Financial Requirements: There’s no minimum income required for spousal sponsorships, but the sponsor must agree to financially support the sponsored spouse for three years, starting when they become a permanent resident.
- Other Requirements: The sponsor must not have any active spousal sponsorship undertakings or unresolved immigration sponsorship debts. Additionally, they shouldn’t have been convicted of certain criminal offenses or be in jail, bankrupt, or under a removal order.
2. Eligibility Requirements for the Sponsored Person
- Relationship Status: The sponsored person must be the sponsor’s legal spouse, common-law partner (living together for at least 12 consecutive months), or conjugal partner (in an ongoing, committed relationship but unable to live together due to reasons beyond their control, like immigration barriers).
- Age: They must be at least 18 years old.
- Admissibility: The sponsored person must pass medical, criminal, and security checks to be admitted to Canada.
3. Types of Sponsorship
- Inland Sponsorship: For couples already living together in Canada. The sponsored spouse can apply for an Open Work Permit (OWP), allowing them to work in Canada while their application is being processed.
- Outland Sponsorship: For couples where the spouse lives outside of Canada. This is generally faster than inland applications and allows the spouse to travel in and out of Canada during processing (if they have a valid visa).
4. Application Process
- Step 1: Submit the Sponsorship and Permanent Residency Applications: These applications are typically submitted together, including forms, fees, and supporting documentation (e.g., proof of relationship, identification documents, police certificates, etc.).
- Step 2: Application Review: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) reviews the application to confirm eligibility, completeness, and to verify the authenticity of the relationship.
- Step 3: Medical and Background Checks: The sponsored spouse undergoes a medical exam and criminal background check. IRCC may request an interview to further verify the relationship if necessary.
5. Processing Times
- Processing times vary but generally take around 12 months. Inland applications can take longer than Outland applications.
6. Approval and Permanent Residency
- Once approved, the sponsored spouse receives Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR), allowing them to officially move to Canada as a permanent resident.
Spousal sponsorship provides an essential pathway for Canadian families to be together, with safeguards to ensure genuine relationships and support for the sponsored individual.