Spousal Sponsorship Program in Canada is a major part of the Canadian Immigration System. This program allows Canadian citizens or permanent residents to sponsor their spouses, common-law partners, or conjugal partners to come to Canada and live with them. It is important to understand the differences between the categories of relationships that qualify for the Spousal Sponsorship Program, as each relation has different eligibility and documentation requirements.

While applying for the spousal sponsorship program, you must submit two applications.

An application to sponsor ( by the Permanent Resident)
An application for permanent residence. ( by the sponsored spouse)

This blog provides you with a complete guide about the Spousal Sponsorship Program in Canada. We will walk you through complete details about eligibility criteria, document checklist, application process, total cost, and how Canada Shaws can be of great help to you. Keep reading till the end!

It is important to consult with an immigration lawyer to learn the complete details. Canada Shaws is the best place to address all your immigration-related problems. If you have any questions, you can Book a FREE ORIENTATION with our certified immigration and legal experts!

Table of Contents

What Is the Spousal Sponsorship Program in Canada?

The spousal sponsorship program is one of the most effective pathways to permanent residency in Canada. It is a major part of Canada’s Immigration system. If you are a Canadian citizen or permanent Resident, you can sponsor your spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner to come and live with you in Canada. It is important to understand the difference between the spouse and other law partners who qualify for the spousal sponsorship program.

Spouse: The sponsored person is legally married to the sponsor.

Conjugal partner: The sponsored person and the sponsor have been in a genuine relationship for one year but are unable to marry due to some barriers.

Common-law-partner: The sponsored person and sponsor have been in a conjugal relationship for one year.

The spousal sponsorship program is given the highest priority because the Government of Canada supports family unions. This is one of the reasons that the Canadian Government has also reduced the application processing time for the family sponsorship program. While sponsoring your spouse in Canada, you have to choose from two options.

Inland Sponsorship:

When the sponsor and the person being sponsored are already living in Canada, that is known as inland sponsorship.

1- The principal applicant( the person being sponsored) is living in Canada.

2- The principal applicant currently holds or previously had a valid immigration status in Canada.

You can also apply for a spousal sponsorship work permit while applying for the inland sponsorship.

Outland sponsorship:

Spousal sponsorship outside Canada is known as outland sponsorship.

1- The main applicant (the person being sponsored) is not living in Canada.

2- The main applicant is currently living in Canada but is not going to stay in Canada during the whole application processing time.

It is important to note that the main applicant has to be in Canada when the application is being processed.

Get Immigration Consultation

Key Spousal Sponsorship Canada Requirements

It is important to know about the spousal sponsorship Canada requirements if you have plans to apply for the sponsorship. In order to sponsor, you must meet the permanent residence, financial, and some other requirements of the IRCC.

Permanent Residence Requirements

You can become a sponsor if

You are at least 18 years old.
You are a Canadian Citizen, a registered person, or a permanent resident.
Suppose you are a Canadian citizen living outside Canada. In that case, you have to show that you have plans to live in Canada once your sponsored partner attains permanent residence status.
You can not sponsor if you are a permanent resident living outside Canada.

Financial Requirements

You can become a sponsor if you are able to provide basic needs.

For yourself
For your partner or spouse
For your spouse or partner’s dependent child ( if applicable)
For your dependent child

In order to sponsor your spouse or common-law partner, you must sign an undertaking to finance the basic needs of your sponsored partner. These basic needs include

Housing and utility bills
Food and basic hygiene products
Clothing and basic items of daily use
Medical expenses not covered by health care ( Dental & Eye)

In most cases, the Canadian Government does not ask to meet the MNI ( minimum necessary income) requirement. However, suppose the spouse or the partner you are sponsoring has dependent children. In that case, you are sponsoring, and you have a dependent child of your own; the income requirement is based on Statistics Canada’s annual Low-income Cut-Off (LICO).

Note: If you live in Quebec, you must meet Quebec’s Conditions to be a Sponsor.

You can not sponsor

If you previously sponsored a spouse or partner and it has not been three years since they became a permanent resident.
If you did not pay back the previous social assistance to the Government while sponsoring your partner spouse when the undertaking was in place.
You did not pay court-ordered alimony or child support.
You are defaulted on an immigration loan.

Requirements for Sponsored Spouses

The sponsored person must meet the following eligibility criteria.

Must be legally married to the sponsor for at least 12 months.
Must be able to provide genuine proof of relationships such as photos, documents, communication history, etc.
You must go through the necessary background checks, such as medical or criminal.

Spousal Sponsorship Documents Checklist

Use your spousal Sponsorship documents checklist to make sure you send all the documents you need to submit. If you are unable to submit a document on the checklist, you must provide a detailed explanation of why you can not submit that document so that your application will not be rejected.

Application Forms

Sponsor must complete the following application forms.

IMM1344- Application to sponsor
IMM5532- Relationship Information and Sponsorship Evaluation Form

The main applicant must complete the following forms

IMM0008- Generic Application Form for Canada
IMM5669-Schedule A-Background/ Declaration
IMM5406- Additional Family Information
IMM5562-Supplementary Information: Travel

Note: If the principal applicant is a child under 18, their parent or legal guardian must sign their forms on their behalf.

Photo

2 passport-sized photographs of the sponsored person and the dependents.
The photos must meet the IRCC specifications for permanent residence applications.

Identity & other documents

A sponsored person is required to submit the following documents.

Travel Documents and a Valid Passport
Marriage Certificate
National Identity Card ( If applicable)
Medical Certificate (If applicable)
Birth Certificate

A sponsor has to submit

Sponsor Application Forms
Proof of payment
Proof of status in Canada as a citizen or Permanent Resident
Proof of financial ability in Canada

Proof of Relationship

Marriage Certificates
Photos Together
Travel Records
Joint Bank Account

You can get complete information regarding the document checklist and application procedure on the IRCC website.

Pay the Fees

Before you submit your spousal sponsorship application, you can check the table below to find out how much you have to pay in fees.

Fee Type	Amount
Sponsorship Fee	$85
Principal Applicant Processing Fee	$545
Right of Permanent Residence Fee	$575
Biometrics Fee	$85
Dependent Child Fee	$175 per child

If you are a resident of Quebec, you need to pay another processing fee to the province. Do not include this extra fee with the spousal sponsorship application you submit to IRCC.

You need a valid email address and a credit card, debit MasterCard, or Visa debit card.

Note: Always keep the fee receipt safe. This is the proof of your payment.

Get Immigration Consultation

Submit your Spousal Sponsorship Application

In order to ensure the smooth and quick processing of the application, make sure that you have

Answered all the questions.
You have electronically signed your application
Included fees receipts
Attached are the supporting documents.

Note: You have to let the authorities know if your contact information changes, including your

Mailing address
Phone number
Email address

Can Spousal Sponsorship Program Application be Rejected?

A spousal sponsorship program application can be rejected for various reasons. These factors can also have an impact on the spousal sponsorship timeline.

Incomplete or inaccurate information
Failure to prove that the relationship is genuine.
Unable to meet eligibility requirements
Failure to demonstrate the financial resources sufficient to support the sponsored person or the sponsor is receiving social assistance.

There can also be a delay in the processing of your application. The following factors may affect the spousal sponsorship timeline.

unclear photocopies of documents
verification of your information and documents;
a medical condition that may need more tests or consultations
a fraudulent or security issue
Consultation with other offices is required

How to Strengthen Your Application?

Complete and accurate documentation
Provide complete and valid proof of your relationship.
Meet all the legal and financial obligations.
Using the services of immigration experts such as Canada Shaws can reduce the risk, save time, and improve your chances of success.

Spousal Sponsorship Canada Processing Time

The current processing time for the Spousal Sponsorship Program in Canada is 12 months. However, this can vary depending on different factors, such as inland sponsorship or outland sponsorship. Make sure to provide complete documents with accurate information. Keep tracking your application status. If the Canadian Government asks for more information, your application processing time can be prolonged. Additional checks can also add to the spousal sponsorship Canada processing time.

Note: To sponsor your spouse for permanent residence in Quebec may take a longer time.

Looking for a complete spousal sponsorship guide? Seek help from Canada Shaws’ Experts!

How Can Canada Shaws Help You?

Canada offers great opportunities to its residents. Immigration to Canada can be a prolonged process that sometimes needs the assistance of immigration and legal experts. Canada Shaws Consulting has a team of certified legal experts with many years of experience. With extensive expertise in immigration programs, our team provides step-by-step guidance tailored to your immigration-related problems.

You can get your immigration-related queries solved by booking a FREE CONSULTATION with our experts! Choosing Canada Shaws ensures that you have the support of a dedicated team to help you through every process.

Conclusion

Canada is a land of opportunities, and a spousal sponsorship program can be a complex journey. However, with the right guidance and proper procedure, the process is not overwhelming. Submitting a complete and well-documented application is the key to reuniting with your loved ones.

At Canada Shaws Consulting, we understand the importance of reuniting with your families. Our immigration experts provide personalized assistance regarding spousal sponsorship programs at every step – from the first step of document preparation to the last step of immigration. With deep knowledge of IRCC rules and regulations, our experts will help you avoid the mistakes that could harm or delay your application.

Are you ready to start your sponsorship journey? Canada Shaws can be your best immigration partner! Book a FREE ORIENTATION!

Frequently Asked Questions:

1- How long does spousal sponsorship take in Canada?

For most applicants, the application processing time is 10-12 months, which is in line with the standard time of IRCC. However, processing time may vary due to the type of application, the visa office processing it, and the individual factors of the applicant.

2-How long are you responsible for the spouse you sponsor in Canada?

You are responsible for the spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner for three years.

3- Do you need a lawyer for the Spousal Sponsorship Program in Canada?

Understanding the Spousal Sponsorship Program is crucial for those who want to bring their spouses to Canada. Seeking help from an expert legal and immigration team is essential because the immigration process involves dealing with complex legal matters and sticking to rules.

4- Do I need a full-time job to sponsor my spouse in Canada?

You do not need a full-time job to sponsor your spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner to come to Canada. Unlike other sponsorship programs, there is no minimum income requirement for spousal sponsorship programs. However, you are required to sign an undertaking to support the basic needs of your spouse or partner.