How the Spousal Sponsorship Canada Process Works

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What is Spousal Sponsorship Canada?

Spousal Sponsorship Canada is a Canadian immigration program that allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to bring their spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner to live with them in Canada as permanent residents.

This program is part of Canada’s commitment to family reunification, ensuring that families can stay together and build their lives in Canada.

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Who Can Be Sponsored?

The Spousal Sponsorship Canada program supports family reunification by allowing Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor:

A spouse under Canadian law:

  • Is at least 18 years old
  • Is legally married to the Canadian citizen or permanent resident sponsor
  • May be of any gender

If married outside of Canada, the marriage must be recognized as legally valid in both the country where it took place and under Canadian federal law.

Same-sex marriages performed within Canada are recognized, while those conducted outside Canada may need to apply under common-law or conjugal partnership if local laws prevent recognition.

A common-law partner is defined as:

  • Being at least 18 years old
  • Living in a marriage-like relationship with the Canadian citizen or permanent resident sponsor for a minimum of 12 consecutive months

Common-law partnerships are recognized under Canadian law even if the couple is not legally married, provided they meet the cohabitation requirement.

A conjugal partner is someone who:

  • Is at least 18 years old
  • Has been in a committed relationship with the sponsor for at least one year
  • Is not able to live with the sponsor due to external barriers, such as immigration restrictions or cultural or legal reasons (e.g., same-sex marriage restrictions)

Proof of the relationship, such as emotional and financial commitment, joint ownership of assets, or ongoing efforts to maintain the relationship despite living apart, may be required.

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Eligibility Requirements for Spousal Sponsorship

To sponsor a spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner, under the spousal sponsorship Canada program certain requirements must be met by both the sponsor and the sponsored individual.

  • Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or registered Indian under the Canadian Indian Act
  • Be at least 18 years old
  • Plan to live in Canada with the sponsored person once they attain permanent residency
  • Agree to financially support the sponsored person for three years after they gain permanent residence
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Our Spousal Sponsorship Canada Services

Our free consultation offers a full eligibility assessment and expert guidance to help you start confidently. With our file management services, our consultants provide:

  • Document collection and preparation
  • Application form completion
  • Submission and case tracking
  • Status updates and follow-ups
  • Secure online portal access
  • End-to-end support throughout the process
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Why Choose Wild Mountain Immigration?

At Wild Mountain Immigration, we donโ€™t just handle paperworkโ€”we shape futures. With deep expertise and a passion for your success, we make your journey to Canada seamless and stress-free, guiding you every step of the way.

Proven Success

Our results speak for themselves. We consistently deliver successful spousal sponsorship applications.

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Tailored Service

Your situation is unique, and so is our approach. We carefully tailor our services to meet your specific needs.

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Transparent pricing, no surprises. Youโ€™ll know exactly what youโ€™re paying forโ€”honest, straightforward service.

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Have Questions?

We have the answers.

To qualify as a sponsor in Spousal Sponsorship Canada, you must meet certain criteria set by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). You must:

  • Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or a registered Indian under the Canadian Indian Act
  • Be 18 years or older
  • Live in Canada or intend to reside in Canada once your spouse or partner receives permanent residency
  • Be financially capable of supporting your spouse or partner for at least three years

Additionally, you must not have unresolved financial issues, criminal convictions, or be undergoing bankruptcy. If you meet these requirements, youโ€™re eligible to start your sponsorship application.

Under the Spousal Sponsorship Canada program, you can sponsor the following types of partners:

  • Spouse: Legally married partners who are at least 18 years old. The marriage must be valid in the country where it took place and under Canadian law.
  • Common-law Partner: Partners who have lived together in a marriage-like relationship for at least 12 consecutive months and are at least 18 years old.
  • Conjugal Partner: Partners in a committed relationship for at least one year who cannot live together or marry due to barriers such as immigration restrictions or legal obstacles (e.g., same-sex marriage restrictions in the partner's home country). The partner must be at least 18 years old.

Each relationship type has specific eligibility criteria, and you will need to provide evidence proving the authenticity of your relationship.

The Spousal Sponsorship Canada process involves several key steps:

  • Check Eligibility: Determine if you meet the requirements for inland or outland sponsorship. Inland sponsorship is for spouses already in Canada, while outland is for those living outside Canada.
  • Download the Application Package: Access the official IRCC forms and checklists.
  • Complete the Application Forms: Fill out the sponsorship forms and gather supporting documents, including proof of relationship, financial stability, and identity documents.
  • Pay the Required Fees: The total sponsorship fee is generally 1,080 CAD, covering the sponsorship and permanent residence fees.
  • Submit Your Application: Submit the application online, and keep track of your application status with the reference number they provide.
  • Await Permanent Residency Approval: Once approved, your spouse or partner will receive instructions on how to finalize their Canadian permanent residency.

Each step is essential to moving your sponsorship application forward efficiently and successfully.

Inland Spousal Sponsorship is for spouses or partners already living in Canada on a temporary basis (e.g., as visitors, workers, or students). Inland applicants may qualify for an open work permit, allowing them to work while the application is processed.

Outland Spousal Sponsorship is for spouses or partners living outside of Canada. This type of application allows your partner to travel to and from Canada (if they are from a visa-exempt country) and may offer a faster processing time depending on their country of residence.

Choosing the right application type depends on where your spouse or partner currently resides and whether they need to work in Canada during the process.

The processing time for Spousal Sponsorship Canada applications varies, generally taking 4 to 12 months. Processing times depend on:

  • Inland or outland applications may have different timelines
  • Country of residence of the sponsored individual
  • Completeness of the application and any additional information IRCC may require

The application fees for Spousal Sponsorship Canada include:

  • Sponsorship fee: $85 CAD
  • Principal applicant processing fee: $545 CAD
  • Right of permanent residence fee: $575 CAD
  • Biometric fee: $85 CAD per person
  • Dependent child fee (if applicable): $175 CAD per child

This brings the primary fees to $1,290 CAD, with additional charges for dependents if applicable. These fees must be paid at the time of submission to prevent delays.

Unlike other family sponsorship programs, Spousal Sponsorship Canada does not have a minimum income requirement. However, sponsors must prove they are financially capable of supporting their spouse or partner and must agree to a three-year financial undertaking with IRCC. This means sponsors must ensure their spouse does not require social assistance upon arrival.

Sponsors are required to provide financial support for their spouse or partner for a period of three years starting from the day the sponsored person becomes a Canadian permanent resident. During this time, the sponsor is responsible for meeting the basic needs of their spouse, including housing, food, and medical expenses not covered by public health services.

Yes, if you apply for inland sponsorship, your spouse may be eligible for an open work permit, allowing them to work in Canada while the sponsorship application is being processed. The open work permit provides flexibility for spouses to support themselves financially while awaiting a final decision on their permanent residency application.

Yes, you can sponsor your spouse if they are already in Canada on a temporary basis, such as a visitor, provided they meet the eligibility requirements for Spousal Sponsorship Canada. This scenario is often handled through an inland sponsorship application, and your spouse may be eligible to apply for an open work permit while their sponsorship application is processed.

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