One of the objectives of the Canadian government is to ensure that families are reunited in Canada. The spousal sponsorship program is the most in-demand stream under family class immigration.
Outside Canada Applications: If you apply to sponsor your spouse from outside Canada, once the decision is made and the application is approved, Canadian immigration authorities will issue the applicant a Canada Spouse Visa (a confirmation of permanent residence). The sponsored person will become a permanent resident upon landing in Canada and must enter Canada before the expiry date of the immigration visa.
Inside Canada Applications: For those applying for spousal sponsorship from within Canada, the applicant’s status will change from temporary to permanent once the application is approved.
Currently, spousal sponsorship, both within and outside Canada, allows the applicant to apply for an Open Work Permit.
Spousal Sponsorship Process:
- Application Package: Complete all required forms and prepare supporting documents specific to your situation. The application package may vary based on the applicant’s country of residence and documents issued by other countries.
- Letter of Acknowledgement (LOA): Once the LOA is received, IRCC will begin processing the application.
- Medical Examination: IRCC will provide a deadline and instructions for the medical exam, which must be completed within 30 days of receiving these instructions. Failure to comply may result in application refusal. IRCC will notify you if there are any issues with the medical exam.
- Additional Documents: During the process, you may be asked to provide additional documents, such as updated police certificates or biometrics. Even if your biometrics are still valid, IRCC may request them again.
- Approval and Confirmation: Once approved, the applicant will receive confirmation of permanent residence. If the immigration officer is satisfied that you meet the entry requirements, you will be allowed to enter Canada as a permanent resident.
Note: If the application is not well-prepared with all supporting documents and your situation is complex, both the sponsor and the applicant may need to provide more information and attend an interview. The immigration officer will then make a final decision on the application. To avoid interviews, you can contact us. Our licensed immigration consultant Mingqi Bi is highly experienced with these types of applications. We hope to assist you in sponsoring your family to live together in Canada and enjoy a good life here.
FAQs:
Can I sponsor my wife and children if my income is low?Yes, you can. There is no low-income cut-off (LICO) for sponsoring a spouse, partner, or dependent child. You still need to prove that you can fulfill the sponsorship obligations. However, you must meet a minimum LICO score if:
- The spouse or partner you are sponsoring has a dependent child who has dependent children of their own, or
- The dependent child you are sponsoring has a dependent child of their own.
The Canadian government determines the LICO score annually. If you need to meet LICO requirements, you must include a Financial Evaluation (IMM 1283) form with your application.
Can a sponsored person with physical health issues apply?Yes, they can. As long as the sponsored person does not have a condition that poses a danger to public health or safety, or would cause excessive demand on health or social services, they generally will not be refused.
Can I sponsor someone if I'm currently living outside Canada?Canadian citizens living abroad can submit an outside-Canada sponsorship application but must convince the immigration officer that they will reside in Canada once the sponsored person becomes a permanent resident. Permanent residents living outside Canada cannot sponsor; they need to return to Canada to submit a sponsorship application.
I sponsored my ex-wife two years ago; can I now sponsor my current wife?No. After a successful sponsorship, the sponsor cannot sponsor another person for three years.
If you were sponsored to Canada as a spouse or partner, you cannot sponsor another spouse or partner for five years after becoming a permanent resident.
You may not be able to sponsor if you:
- Signed an undertaking for a previous spouse or partner and it hasn’t been three years since they became a permanent resident.
- Receive social assistance for a reason other than disability.
- Previously sponsored someone and did not repay any social assistance 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.
- 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.
If my relationship breaks down after becoming a PR in Canada, will it affect my PR card renewal?No. Divorce or relationship breakdown after landing will not affect the PR card. However, false marriages for immigration purposes are not allowed. If discovered, even citizenship can be revoked.
Can you guarantee that my application will be approved?It is illegal for any immigration company in Canada or Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant to make guarantees of approvals. Each case is prepared and reviewed by experienced, licensed Canadian immigration consultants to ensure completeness and favourable conditions.
To date, none of Wellspring Immigration’s spousal sponsorship applications have been rejected. For inland applications, the fastest open work permit was obtained within three months of submission; some applications took less than eight months to get a result.
