Spousal Sponsorship Visa

Spousal Sponsorship

Spousal sponsorship program is the most demanded stream under family class immigration. Spousal Sponsorship application is given the highest priority. Processing time for spousal sponsorship is 12 months, which is one of the fastest process in acquiring permanent residency. Types of spousal relationships-:

Spouse (Legal Marriage)
Common-Law Partner- Have been living together in a conjugal relationship for at least 12 ongoing months.
Conjugal Partner:- Have same level of commitment and permanence as marriage but situations beyond their control kept them from living together.

Who can sponsor?

You can become a sponsor if you are:

At least 18 years old
A Canadian citizen, a person registered in Canada as an Indian under the Canadian Indian Act or a permanent resident
Living in Canada
If you’re a Canadian citizen living outside Canada, you must show that you plan to live in Canada when your sponsored relative becomes a permanent resident.
You can’t sponsor someone if you’re a permanent resident living outside of Canada.
Able to prove that you are not receiving social assistance for reasons other than a disability

And You must also be able to show that you can provide basic needs for:

Yourself,
Your spouse or partner,
Your spouse or partner’s dependent child(ren) (if applicable)
Your dependent child(ren) (if you’re sponsoring only your dependent child).

You may not be able to sponsor if you…

Are sponsoring a spouse or partner but you signed an undertaking for a previous spouse or partner and it hasn’t been three years since they became a permanent resident,
Previously sponsored someone and did not pay back any social assistance that they received while the undertaking was in place.
Are in default on an immigration loan or a performance bond
Did not pay court-ordered alimony or child support
Have declared bankruptcy which has not been discharged
Were convicted of
- an offence of a sexual nature,
- a violent crime,
- an offence against a relative that caused bodily harm or
Threatened or attempted to commit any of the above offences—depending on the nature of the offence, how long ago it happened and if you received a pardon.
Are sponsoring a spouse or partner and you were previously sponsored as a spouse, common-law or conjugal partner and became a permanent resident of Canada less than five years ago.
Are under a removal order,
Are in a penitentiary, jail, reformatory or prison,
Have already applied to sponsor your current spouse or partner and haven’t received a decision.

Who can sponsor while outside Canada?

If you’re a Canadian citizen living outside Canada, you can sponsor your:

Common-law partner,
Spouse,
Conjugal partner
Dependent child