Did you know that you could sponsor your relatives to come to Canada? They could even get Canadian permanent residency. The Family Sponsorship immigration program lets you sponsor your relatives if you and they are eligible for the sponsoring.
Canada aims to process about 78,000 spousal applications in 2023. The amount of spouse visas in Canada that IRCC issues will only increase over time. This means that according to the Immigration Levels Plan in 2024 and 2025, Canada aims to welcome around 80,000 and 82,000 immigrants respectively under this visa type.
Let’s learn more about the in-demand Spouse Visa Canada and how to sponsor one’s spouse in Canada in this blog!
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About Spouse Visa Canada
A spouse visa comes under the Family Sponsorship which basically permits a Canadian citizen or PR or a registered Indian to sponsor their spouse or partner to get PR in Canada. So, if you sponsor your spouse they may get permanent residency and be able to work, live, and study in Canada. To sponsor someone, you must either be 18 years of age or older.
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How to Sponsor Your Spouse In Canada?
For those who want to sponsor their spouse, there are two application forms:
- The first one is for those who want to sponsor
- And, the second one is for those receiving the sponsorship. They need to fill out an application for permanent residence
Actually, there are four steps that one needs to go through to sponsor a spouse and get a spouse visa in Canada.
1. Apply to Sponsor
The sponsor needs to download some PDF forms and then complete them in the application package. After that, they and the person being sponsored (principal applicant) need to sign the form digitally.
Now, the principal applicant will be the one uploading these forms to their online application.
In the same step, the applicant needs to get the application package. The application package contains:
- A document checklist for the sponsor as well as the principal applicant
- There will be an instruction guide that will not only help the principal applicant but also the family members so the application forms are filled out rightly
- Also, in the application package you will find various forms that the sponsor and the one being sponsored will fill out
2. Apply to get Sponsored
The one who is going to be sponsored needs to fill out some forms online. These forms for permanent residency are:-
- Schedule A – Background/Declaration (IMM 5669)
- Supplementary Information – Your Travels (IMM 5562)
- Generic Application Form for Canada (IMM 0008)
- Additional Family Information (IMM 5406)
For each person mentioned in the application, there needs to be one photo. Scan and upload both sides of the photo as per the instructions.
3. Pay Application Fee
In the third step, you need to pay the application fee and along with that, you must pay for your biometrics fee. In case you are getting a medical test done, or a police clearance certificate, pay for it as well.
4. Send Extra Information
When your application is being processed, you might be asked to submit some additional documents such as biometrics, a police clearance certificate, or even a medical test. So, be sure that you have those documents at hand.
Now, you can submit your application once you are sure that all the information entered is correct and you uploaded all the necessary documents.
Also Read: IRCC Processing Times
The Sponsor must:
- be a permanent resident, Canadian citizen, or a registered Indian according to the Canadian Indian Act.
- be either 18 years or older.
- needs to financially support their spouse.
- needs to make sure that they don’t need government social assistance.
Eligibility Requirements for the Spouse, Common Law Partner and Conjugal Partner
For the Spouse
Below are the requirements that the spouse who is about to be sponsored must have.
- So, your spouse must be legally married to the sponsor
- They need to be older than 18 years
For the Conjugal Partner
The conjugal partner must be:-
- Needs to be older than 18 years of age
- Should not be legally married to your
- Should not be in a common-law relationship with you
- Must be living outside Canada
- Should have been in a relationship with you for a minimum of one year
- They cannot be living in the same country as yours, and they cannot be married to you
- The one being sponsored must provide all the documents and forms along with their application
- If there are more applications asked, such as a medical examination or biometrics then the sponsored person must provide them.
Moreover, you may be asked to submit proof that you could not live together or even cannot get married in the country where your spouse resides.
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How long does it take to get a spousal visa in Canada?
A spouse visa Canada application may take around 12 months to finish processing.
Who is eligible for spouse visa in Canada?
To be eligible for a spouse visa, both spouses must be either 18 years or older. The one sponsoring must be a Canadian citizen/permanent resident/or be eligible for sponsoring another person. There are other requirements to fulfill as well.
What is the benefit of spouse visa in Canada?
The spouse visa lets a person sponsor their spouse so they could get Canadian permanent residency, and be able to live, study and work in Canada.
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