What is Canadian Spouse Sponsorship, Visa Types and Application Processes
Canadian spousal sponsorship is a program that allows a Canadian citizen to sponsor their spouse, common-law partner or dependent child to remain in Canada as a permanent resident.
Canadian spousal sponsorship, an important part of the Canadian immigration system, allows spouses, legal partners and children of permanent residents to also obtain permanent residence in Canada.
Applications for Canadian spouse sponsorship are made to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The evaluation process for applications made under the sponsorship program to obtain a Canadian visa due to spouse status has been accelerated, and applications are evaluated and decided by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada within 12 months.
What are the requirements for Canadian Spouse Sponsorship?
Under the spousal sponsorship program for Canada, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada requires certain criteria for the sponsoring spouse.
A person who wishes to sponsor their spouse or dependent children to remain in Canada as permanent residents must first be 18 years of age or older and a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada with a valid residence permit. They must also prove that they are not receiving social assistance for reasons other than disability, that the person they are sponsoring is not also required to receive social assistance, and that the person they are sponsoring is capable of meeting their basic needs.
In order to sponsor a spouse or dependent child under the spousal sponsorship program, Canadian citizens living outside of Canada must prove that they plan to live in Canada with their spouse and child. Permanent residents outside of Canada are not eligible to bring their spouses to Canada through sponsorship.
Is There a Minimum Income Requirement to Become a Spouse Sponsor in Canada?
No, there is no minimum income requirement in Canada to become a spousal sponsor; however, a person wishing to sponsor a spouse or child under the spousal sponsorship program must sign a commitment to provide financial support to meet the basic needs of the family member they are sponsoring.
The commitment period for Canadian spousal sponsorship is set at 3 years from the date the sponsored person receives permanent residence.
The basic needs that the sponsor undertakes to meet under the Canadian spouse sponsorship program are; food, clothing, shelter and other needs necessary for daily living, as well as dental care, eye care and other health needs not met by public health services. Before signing the commitment agreement, the sponsoring spouse must ensure that the persons he/she will sponsor will not need to seek financial assistance from the state; if the sponsored family member receives social assistance, the amount of social assistance paid will be repaid by the sponsor under the commitment.
What are the Required Documents for Canada Spouse Sponsored Visa Application?
The documents required for the Canada spouse sponsored visa application are listed below.
Sponsor application form: This is a document that must be filled out by the person who will be sponsoring and the family members who will benefit from the sponsorship.
- Sponsorship agreement and commitment form : The agreement document must be filled out and signed separately by both the sponsor and the family member who will receive sponsorship.
- Sponsorship evaluation and financial evaluation document : Two separate forms must be filled out, which include details of the profession, employment status and monthly income of the person wishing to sponsor.
- Sponsor survey and spouse survey : Two different forms that include relationship details and personal questions such as how the couple met, which family members are aware of this relationship, and whether there are mutual friends must be filled out separately by the sponsor and the person who will receive sponsorship.
- Documentation of family information : A form containing detailed information about family members must be filled out.
- CV declaration : All family members must fill out and submit a CV form that includes details about their lives.
- Canada permanent resident visa application form : A visa application form filled out by the spouse who wishes to settle in Canada through sponsorship must be submitted.
- Photocopies of ID, passport and travel documents : Photocopies of the ID, passport and travel documents of the sponsoring person and the family members who will receive sponsorship must be submitted.
- Birth certificates : Birth certificates of family members of the person applying for sponsorship must be presented. In addition to the family members who will be coming to Canada through sponsorship, birth certificates of all other family members must also be presented.
- Documents proving marriage : Additional evidence such as a photocopy of the family certificate, wedding photographs and wedding invitations proving that the person who will receive sponsorship is married must be submitted during the application.
- Population registration copy : A population registration copy containing detailed information about family members must be submitted.
- Divorce documents : If the applicants have had a previous marriage that ended in divorce, documents showing the divorce must be submitted.
- Photo : Two current photographs of family members, 50 mm wide and 70 mm high, must be submitted.
- Representative use form : If one of the parties makes the application through a representative instead of making the application themselves, the form containing the relevant information must be filled out.
It should be noted that the sponsor application form and sponsorship agreement must be completely filled out and signed by both the sponsor and the family members who will settle in Canada through sponsorship. In cases where the information on the form is inconsistent or the documents are not deemed sufficient, the spouses may be called for an interview.
What are the Canadian Visa Forms to Fill Out for Spouse Sponsorship?
The Canadian visa forms that must be filled out by the sponsor for spousal sponsorship are listed below.
- Sponsorship Application and Commitment Form (IMM 1344A)
- Sponsorship Agreement (IMM 1344B)
- Sponsorship Evaluation (IMM 5481) or Financial Evaluation (IMM 1283)
- Receipt (IMM 5401) or specified equivalent
- Sponsor Survey (IMM 5540)
The forms that family members who wish to obtain permanent residence in Canada through Canadian spousal sponsorship must fill out are listed below.
- Permanent Residence Application (IMM 008 Generic)
- List 1-CV/Declaration (IMM 008 Schedule 1)
- Spouse Questionnaire (IMM 5490)
- Additional Family Information (IMM 4506)
- Representative Usage Form (IMM 5476) (Must be filled out if the sponsor or the sponsored person applies through a representative.)
The necessary forms for Canadian visa applications made through spouse sponsorship are filled out by RSSCanadaImmigration.com consultants.
What are the Proof of Marriage Documents for Spouse Sponsorship in Canada?
Documentary proof of marriage for spousal sponsorship in Canada is listed below.
- Marriage certificate and documents proving state recognition of marriage
- Documents showing previous divorces of one of the spouses
- Detailed birth certificates of any children the spouses have in common or adoption records that include the names of both parents.
- Wedding invitations and photos
Since the main basis for Canadian spousal sponsorship is marriage, documents proving marriage and previous divorces are requested. Submitting all requested documents in full increases the likelihood of a positive outcome for your Canadian marriage visa application.
How to Apply for a Canadian Spouse Sponsored Visa?
To apply for a Canadian spouse sponsorship visa, a person residing in Canada must submit a formal application for spouse sponsorship. The spouse wishing to come to Canada must also submit an application for permanent residence at the same time. Spousal sponsorship applications can be submitted by mail or through IRCC’s permanent residence application portal.
In Canadian spousal sponsorship applications made with RSSCanadaImmigration.com consultancy, the necessary documents are prepared by expert consultants and delivered to the relevant unit, and the application process is followed up.
How Much Are the Canadian Spouse Sponsorship Application Fees?
The processing fees for Canadian spousal sponsorship are shown in the table below.
| Process | Transaction Fee |
|---|---|
| Sponsorship fee | 75 Canadian dollars |
| Application processing fee | 475 Canadian dollars |
| Permanent residence right fee | 500 Canadian dollars |
| Biometrics operations | 85 Canadian dollars |
| Total | 1135 Canadian dollars |
In addition to these fees, a fee of $150 CAD must be paid for each dependent child of the sponsored spouse.
Are There Interviews for Spouse Sponsorship in Canada?
Interviews for Canadian spousal sponsorship are rare. Interviews are usually conducted to verify that there is some missing or incorrect information in the documents.
Reasons that may require a Canadian spousal sponsorship interview are listed below.
- Lack of documentation proving the relationship
- Inconsistency between the information filled in the forms and the information in the documents
- Difference in age and religion
- There is a very short time between first meeting and marriage.
- The couple has never lived together before
The forms filled out during the application phase must be filled out completely and with accurate information; missing or inconsistent information will cause the Canadian visa interview process to occur.
How Long Does It Take to Complete a Canadian Spouse Sponsorship Application?
The average Canadian spousal sponsorship application is finalized in 12 months. This period may be extended in cases where additional documents are requested during the approval process or the review process takes a long time.
What Reasons Can Spouse Sponsorship for Canada Be Denied?
The most common reason for a spousal sponsorship application to be rejected in Canada is that the marriage is found to be fake. If the application is rejected despite the marriage being real, individuals have the right to appeal or re-apply.
Since wedding photographs that include the spouses’ families are considered important proof of real marriages, it is recommended that wedding photographs and wedding invitations be submitted as proof during the application.
Wedding ceremonies held over the internet are not considered valid by the relevant Canadian institutions and are among the reasons for Canadian visa rejection in spousal sponsorship programs.
Since the understanding of marriage in different cultures may differ from each other, writing a letter of explanation to the visa officer stating the details of the marriage may also be beneficial in getting the application approved.
CAN A Canadian Spouse Sponsorship Denial Be Appealed?
It is possible to appeal a rejection of a Canadian spousal sponsorship application. Upon presentation of verbal evidence and additional documents confirming the relationship to the Immigration and Refugee Agency, the agency member has the authority to review the file and additional documents and make a new decision on the application.
