Canada Spouse Visa Application Process 2024
The Canadian spouse visa is a long-term visa that allows individuals who are married to a Canadian citizen or resident or their partner to become permanent residents of Canada through sponsorship. The Canadian spouse visa application must be made simultaneously with the sponsorship application of the spouse residing in Canada.
What are the Spouse Visa Requirements for Canada?
Spouse visa requirements for Canada include; the sponsor in Canada must be 18 years of age or older, be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, have a clean criminal record, and not have been invited to Canada as a sponsored spouse in the last 5 years.
Sponsors who do not have sufficient financial resources cannot benefit from the Canadian spousal visa program.
What are the Required Documents for a Spouse Canada Visa?
The documents required for a Canadian visa due to spouse status are listed below.
- Canadian spouse visa application form : A Canadian spouse visa application form must be completed and signed by the applicant personally and completely.
- Proof of Canadian residency : The sponsoring spouse must provide proof of Canadian residency.
- Identity documents : Photocopies of the identity documents of the sponsor and his/her spouse must be submitted.
- Marriage certificate : A marriage certificate proving spousal status must be presented.
- Proof of a clean criminal record : Criminal records and permits from all countries where the spouse who will be granted permanent residence in Canada has lived for six months or more since turning 18 must be submitted.
- Health certificate : A medical examination result showing that the applicant is healthy must be submitted.
- Receipt of payment of required application fees : Receipts of fees to be paid to the government for spousal sponsorship must be submitted.
- Digital photo : 2 photos of 50 mm width and 70 mm height are required.
- Relationship information and sponsorship evaluation survey : Honestly filling out the surveys submitted during the application contributes to understanding the reality of the relationship.
- Wedding invitations and photographs : Wedding invitations and wedding photographs can also be presented as evidence to prove the reality of the marriage.
- Birth certificates of any children : Birth certificates or adoption records must be submitted for all children of both spouses.
- Proof of marriage registration : Proof of marriage registration issued by an authorized institution must be submitted.
Canadian spouse visa application forms must be filled out by both spouses, and filling out the forms honestly and completely plays an important role in the approval of the Canadian spouse visa application.
How to Get a Canadian Spouse Visa?
In order to obtain a Canadian spouse visa, the spouse living in Canada must first apply for spousal sponsorship and the spouse who will come to Canada must apply for Canadian permanent residence together.
Applying for a Canadian spouse visa can be done online through the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (IRCC) permanent residence portal at https://www.canada.ca/.
After registering through the IRCC online system, the necessary forms must be filled out and the prepared documents must be uploaded to the system. The application process is completed by paying the Canadian spouse visa application fee.
Another way to apply for a Canadian spouse visa is to send the prepared documents to the Canadian File Processing Centre by mail. During the evaluation process of the Canadian spouse visa application, the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Bureau (IRCC); requests a health report, criminal record and biometric record from the sponsored person or persons. Biometric record and other documents can be received by making an appointment at VFS Global Ankara or Istanbul offices.
How Much Does a Spouse-Sponsored Canada Visa Cost?
The spouse sponsored Canada visa fee consists of Canadian immigration office processing fees of 75 CAD for sponsorship, 475 CAD for the main applicant’s application, 500 CAD for permanent residence, 85 CAD for biometrics procedures and 150 CAD for each dependent child of the sponsored spouse.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Canadian Spouse Visa?
Canadian spouse visa procedures are completed in an average of 12 months.
Can I Stay in Canada While Applying for Spouse Sponsorship?
In order to remain in Canada while the spousal sponsorship application is pending, it is necessary to currently live in Canada legally with a work permit or a Canadian visa and be married to a Canadian citizen, this is called in-country spousal sponsorship.
If you do not reside in Canada, you can stay in Canada after obtaining a permanent residence visa. Applying for Canadian residence with a spouse sponsor outside of Canada is called out-of-country spouse sponsorship.
Can I Work in Canada with a Canadian Spouse Visa?
Yes, it is possible to work in Canada with a Canadian spouse visa. In order for the sponsored spouse to work in Canada; he/she must have a work permit.
People who plan to work in Canada with a spouse visa can apply for an open work permit when applying for permanent residence. People who qualify for a Canadian spouse visa have met the necessary Canadian open work permit requirements.
Can I Go to Canada and Get Citizenship with a Spouse Visa?
It is possible to go to Canada and get citizenship with a spouse visa. With the permanent residence permit obtained as a result of the spouse visa, it is possible to apply for Canadian citizenship as long as the required period of residence is lived in and all residence conditions are met.
What are the Canadian Citizenship Requirements for Spouse-Sponsored Visa Holders?
Canadian citizenship requirements for spouse-sponsored visa holders are listed below.
- Becoming a permanent resident of Canada
- Spend at least 3 of the last 5 years living in Canada
- Paying required taxes
- Passing the Canadian citizenship test
- Proof of language skills in English or French
Spouse sponsored visa holders are not eligible to apply if they do not meet the necessary Canadian citizenship requirements.
