A Complete Guide on Spousal Sponsorship Processing Times

Spousal visa sponsorship is the most crucial factor in establishing a life together in Canada. Why do spousal sponsorship applications take time to process? Many aspects result in delays in the processing of spousal sponsorship. Due to the complexity of immigration procedures, applicants for spousal sponsorship visas often face problems. Moreover, the processing time for spousal sponsorship in Canada depends on the specific requirements of the country you are applying for. To avoid delays, understanding the factors influencing spousal sponsorship processing times is important. Many people want to know how long spousal sponsorship takes in Canada. Here, you will find the answers to all your questions. 

In this article, we will cover the essential aspects of spousal sponsorship, what affects delays, how long it usually takes, and most importantly, what you can do to avoid unnecessary delays. We will also discuss how Canada Shaws can help in immigration consultation. To know more book a free orientation session with our immigration experts!

Before proceeding, let’s first discuss spousal sponsorship and its application processing time. 

What is Spousal Sponsorship?

Spousal sponsorship means permitting a Canadian citizen to sponsor their spouse for permanent residence in Canada. After meeting all the requirements of the spousal sponsorship application process, the IRCC assesses the relationship between the sponsor and the applicant to be resettled to Canada after completing the application procedure.

How Long Are Spousal Sponsorship Processing Times

As per IRCC policies, the estimated average spousal sponsorship processing times inside Canada (Inland Sponsorship) is around 12 months. Applications submitted outside Canada are processed in 13 months (Outland Sponsorship). However, these processing times may differ depending on many factors. 

Stages of Application Process

The process of applying for sponsorship involves the following step-by-step procedure.

• Step 1: Application For Qualifications

Ensure that both partners meet the specific requirements for eligibility to apply. You need to collect all the required documents and fill out the application form. Moreover, make sure that a sponsor must be a Canadian citizen to qualify for wife sponsorship. 

• Step 2: Biometric Recording

Visit a designated center to complete your biometric requirements, which include fingerprints and photographs. It is necessary to complete the identity verification process and accelerate spousal sponsorship processing times.

• Step 3: Physical Examination

You must take a medical examination, which needs approval from the IRCC official physician panel. Medical examination results decide whether the applicants satisfy the health requirements set by Canada for immigration or not. Moreover, your physical examinations are valid for one year. If it expires, you need to do it again.

• Step 4: Background Check

IRCC conducts extensive examinations of your criminal and immigration records through its background check process. The immigration service requires you to provide police clearance certificates from all the countries you have stayed in.

• Step 5: Adjustment stage

IRCC evaluates all the requirements submitted to your application. It may request extra documentation or additional information from candidates during the application process. 

• Step 6: Final Decision

When all requirements are met, IRCC will issue their final decision regarding your application. Your spouse will get permanent residency confirmation after approval.

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Processing Time and Costs

The processing times for spousal sponsorships vary by country. Time and costs depend on various factors including situation, required resources and technology used. Faster processing often requires higher operational costs. You can check the latest processing times here. You can check out the latest spousal sponsorship fee on the official IRCC website. 

Understanding Waiting Times:  Is It First-In, First-Out?

All applications do not follow the same processing order because of varying complexities. Applications may experience delays due to incomplete documentation and security checks.

• Checking the Status of Your Application

Canada-based applications follow different processing times from international applications because of varying workloads and application needs. To keep track of the process, check application status. 

• Backlog and Industry Sensitivity

Industries such as defense or cybersecurity usually face longer waiting periods due to the strict security procedures. Since these industries need multiple security checks, their application process might face a delay.

• Physical Examination Requirements

Applicants are required to undergo a medical exam to meet Canadian health standards. In special cases such as lung diseases (tuberculosis), you need to have an additional test and a physical examination every 3 months, a total of 3-5 times.

Read this complete guide on How to Qualify for a Spousal Sposorship Program.

Factors That Affect Delays in Spousal Sponsorship Processing Times

The following are the key factors that cause delays in application processing times of spousal sponsorship in Canada.

1. Incomplete Application

An incomplete or incorrect application form is one of the most common reasons for delays. Unverified documents or a lack of evidence of the connection require additional data and time, which increases the time it takes to approve the application for Wife Sponsorship Canada.

How to Avoid Delays:

• Verify all the documents.
•  Include all the relevant documents.
• You can check the spousal sponsorship document checklist to avoid inconveniences. 

2. Complex Cases

There are cases when some applications are more complicated than others. If either of the applicants has a record of immigration violations, criminal records, or any issue, the application may cause a delay in spousal sponsorship processing times.

How to Avoid Delays: 

•  If this is your case, ensure that you are transparent about any issues during the process.
• Discuss the issues in detail and provide supportive documents. 
• The process of wife sponsorship in Canada can be difficult. Get help from professional Immigration Attorneys in Canada for proper management of these complex cases.

3. Bulk of Applications

Every year, IRCC entertains a thousand visa applications. Due to the high traffic, the database is overloaded, and spousal application processing times slow down.

How to Avoid Delays:

• It is recommended that you submit your application early enough so that you do not have to wait a long time.
• Keep track of the latest updates of IRCC processing times.
• Prepare yourself to face delays and minor setbacks due to the bulk of applications.

4. Security Checks

A proper security check of fingerprints is important for the applicants to ensure that they will not be a security threat to that country. It could take more time if the applicant has traveled to other countries, ultimately resulting in delayed spousal sponsorship processing times. 

How to Avoid Delays

•  Make sure to provide detailed information on your travel history and other phone and address details.
• Provide police clearance certificates. To avoid any inconvenience, you need to learn more about police certificates. 
• Always provide quick responses to any further inquiries by IRCC.

5. Physical Examinations

Applicants are expected to go through a medical examination to meet Canada’s health standards. The delay in medical tests and extra medical examinations is the possible cause of the delay in spousal sponsorship processing times.

How to Avoid Delays:

• Schedule your medical examination at your earliest convenience. 
• Send your medical reports directly to IRCC and your designated panel physician. 
• You must follow up with the physician to ensure that your medical test results have been sent to the relevant department of IRCC. 

6. COVID-19 Pandemic

COVID-19 has resulted in delays in IRCC application processes. Other than this, other external factors, including natural disasters or political instabilities in different parts of the world, can also cause delays in spousal sponsorship processing times.

How to Avoid Delays:

• You should regularly follow the IRCC’s latest updates regarding the processing of your passport. 
• You need to be patient and be prepared for delays in your process during these challenging times.

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Documents Required

The sponsor and sponsored must provide the following documents:

Sponsor

• Proof of Canadian status
• Proof of financial status
• Signed IMM 1344 application form
• IMM 5540 questionnaire
• Marriage certificate

Sponsored

• Identity Documents
• Signed IMM 0008 application form
• Background declaration
• Police Clearance Certificates
• Language test results (IELTS or equivalent) 
• Medical Examination Results
• Proof of Relationship

Key Factors to Consider

You are required to consider the following factors before applying for spousal sponsorship: 

• It is to be ensured that both the sponsor and sponsored person must meet all the eligibility requirements.
• The sponsor must also show that he can support the sponsored person financially.
• If you have poor or few assets, provide a clear explanation and any supporting documents.  
• Delays in your application approval may occur due to full quota, causing your application to be reviewed in the next cycle.
• Provide enough evidence that supports the authenticity of your relationship. 

How to Seek Assistance?

You can seek help and speed up your spousal sponsorship processing times by:

• Contacting a Member of Parliament (MP)

MPs can communicate with the immigration authorities to handle delays in the application process. MPs have to address the issues related to your process. Visit the official website and Find your MP, provide your application details, and ask: “What stage has my case reached?”.

• Filing an Injunction Against Immigration Delays

Injunction works as a legal order to address delays in your application process. File an injunction and hire a professional immigration attorney who can guide you and present your case in court.  The client can go to court and sue the immigration bureau.

• Using the IRCC Web Form

You can check your application status through the IRCC web form. You can also remind the visa officers about the delays in your application. A common query about the delays in your spousal sponsorship processing times can be, “It has been more than the expected processing time.  At what stage is my application now?”

You can access the web form here: IRCC Web Form. 

• Contact a Member of Congress (Non-City Councilor)

You can also contact any members of the congress. They can directly communicate with your visa officer to address the delays in the approval of your sponsorship visa.

You can ask a member of Congress, “What notes does the visa officer have?  By doing this, you can know whether you need to take the initiative to submit any additional documents.

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Alternatives to Spousal Sponsorship

If spousal sponsorship processing times don’t work for you, there are other options as well.

1.       Temporary Resident Visa (TRV)  

It enables your spouse to enter Canada as a temporary visitor while you look for other immigration opportunities. A TRV is a perfect stay for short meetings with families or friends and can be prolonged if necessary.

2.       Open Work Permit     

If you are legally residing in Canada or have a PR or work permit, then you can get an open work permit. It means you can get employed by any employer as you wait for the documents that allow you to be a permanent citizen. 

3.       Express Entry

If you meet the criteria, your spouse can apply for permanent residence in Canada through express entry. It particularly favors skilled people and helps to serve them in less time. 

How Canada Shaws Can Help

At Canada Shaws Consulting, we specialize in Canadian business immigration. We simplify the process of spousal sponsorship and prevent you from having to go through long spousal sponsorship processing times. We have taken pride in providing the best immigration attorney services for people all around the world for the last 10 years. Our experienced team of immigration attorneys and lawyers knows exactly how to get your spousal sponsorship application approved. From checking your eligibility to gathering the required documents and offering you professional service, we make sure that your case is strong enough to be approved. 

Moreover, with extensive experience and a promising track record in business immigration, make sure that you are in the right hands. Focus on building your life in Canada and let Canada Shaws handle the process and guide you at every step of the way. Book a free consultation today!

Conclusion

Spouse sponsorship is the best way to reunite with your families in Canada, but delays in spousal sponsorship processing times can be frustrating. You can improve your chances of early approval of your application by understanding the factors that cause delays in the processing time for spousal sponsorship in Canada. 

If you are worried about the delay in spousal sponsorship Canada processing time, contact Canada Shaws for the best immigration attorney or lawyer services. Our experts can help you through the process so that it will be easy for you to take the first step towards building your future there with your spouse. 

FAQs

1. How long does spousal sponsorship approval take?

You might be wondering how long spousal sponsorship takes in Canada. According to IRCC, the spousal sponsorship processing times and approval usually take 10-12 months. However, various factors can cause delays in the processing time.  

2. What should you expect from a Canada interview for spousal sponsorship?

You are more likely to be asked about the legitimacy of the relationship, your familiarity with your partner, and your family background. 

3. Can my spouse stay with me in Canada while the application is in process? 

Yes, your spouse can stay with you in Canada as long as they have their legal status. For this purpose, you need to make sure that they have a Temporary Resident Visa.