Things You Need to Know Before Applying for The Canadian Spousal Sponsorship Program
Disclaimer: This article is only intended for educational purposes and shouldn’t be used as a substitute for legal advice
If you’re a Canadian citizen, you can apply for a spousal sponsorship program to sponsor your partner to come and live with you in the country.
The Canadian government and law-making authorities understand the need for uniting families and thus give spousal sponsorship applications a higher priority.
If you want to sponsor your partner for immigration, here’s everything you should know about the process:
Who can sponsor their partner under the sponsorship program?
You’re eligible to apply for spousal sponsorship if you’re a permanent resident or a Canadian citizen. However, you must meet a few additional requirements:
- You must be at least 18 years of age
- You must live in Canada or planning to come back to Canada once your spouse’s immigration is processed and they receive Canadian PR
- You’re willing and able to provide your partner with the basic financial assistance for at least three years
How long would it take to process the spousal sponsorship for your partner?
Generally, spousal sponsorship applications take around 12 months from when you apply. They’re usually not processed before 12 months; however, they may take more time depending on your case.
If your case is a complication or the authorities require further proof of your relationship with your spouse, this may delay the process and take more than 12 months.
One of the best ways to make sure that your application is processed quickly is to do it right the first time. You may seek legal assistance from immigration firms to assist you with the process.
How much would it cost you to sponsor your partner?
Here is the breakdown of all the fees you’ll need to pay for the spousal sponsorship:
Biometrics: $85
Fee for the right of PR: $500
Fee for sponsorship: $75
Applicant processing fee: $475
Total fee: $1135
If you, the sponsor, live in Quebec or will move to Quebec once the PR is issued, you’ll need to pay an additional $289.
What are your obligations as a spousal sponsor?
When you sponsor your spouse, you’ll be responsible for assisting them with their basic needs financially, including healthcare, for at least 3 years.
You’ll also need to make sure that your partner doesn’t require any type of social assistance from the Canadian government before they sign the undertaking agreement. If the sponsored spouse requires any kind of financial assistance from the government, you must return the full amount they’ve received when you were responsible for them by law. If you don’t pay back this amount in full, you’ll not be able to sponsor any of your other family members until you return the money.
The financial obligations will be effective even if:
- Your sponsored partner becomes a citizen of Canada
- Your relationship with them ends
- Your spouse moves to another province or country
- You suffer or struggle financially
Do you need a job in order to sponsor your spouse?
Technically, you don’t need to be employed to apply for a spousal sponsorship. As opposed to other sponsorship programs, there’s no requirement for the minimum income to apply for spousal sponsorship.
Does your spouse need a job offer under the sponsorship program?
No, your sponsored partner is not required to have a job offer before they can come to Canada. Their financial responsibility is on you, who is sponsoring their immigration.
Can you sponsor your spouse if they have a serious medical illness?
There’s no restriction for sponsoring a spouse with a medical condition unless the medical illness is a threat to the public.
There are 3 types of medical inadmissibility:
- The excessive burden on social and health services
- Danger to general public health
- Danger to general public safety
However, the first criterion of excessive demand or burden on social and healthcare services doesn’t apply in spousal sponsorship.
Hire an Immigration Lawyer
If you want to apply for immigration for your spouse or partner,
Nanda & Associate Lawyers can help you with your application and any questions regarding the process. The company has one of the best immigration teams in Canada who will be happy to assist you legally in several matters, including immigration.
Get in touch with them today to book a free consultation with an experienced immigration lawyer who can help with sponsorship visas, entrepreneur visas, rejection appeals, and more.
About the Author
Sarah M. is a well-known immigration lawyer working in Canada for 16 years. She graduated with a law degree from the University of Toronto. She also frequently writes on social media sites to guide aspiring immigrants.
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