Canadian Spousal Sponsorship Program: All You Need to Know

Couple on their wedding day

COVID-19 pressed pause on every part of our lives, whether it was related to jobs or immigration. But the wait is over and we’re ready to put the global pandemic behind us and move on with life. Do you know what this means for the Canadian spousal sponsorship program? The processing time for immigration applications has returned to the standard 12 months.

So, all those who had been waiting to apply for the Canadian Spousal Sponsorship Program, now is the time to make it happen. But before you move forward, here is everything you need to know about this application process.

Who Can Sponsor a Common-Law Partner or Spouse?

Suppose you’re hoping to sponsor your common-law partner or spouse to come and live with you in Canada. In that case, they must either be a citizen or an adult permanent resident of Canada who is capable of supporting themselves financially without financial assistance from the government.

Mountain view with a Canadian flagTheir word will not be just taken for it since they will be required to sign an undertaking that they’ll not be seeking assistance for fulfilling their own, their spouse’s, or dependent children’s basic needs.

But how do you define these basic needs? Basic needs include:

  • Clothing, food, shelter, and other everyday necessities.
  • Eyecare, dental care, and other healthcare needs that the public health services will not cover.

What are the Fees to Apply for Sponsorship of a Spouse or Common-Law Partner?

The total fee consists of the sponsorship fee, the right of permanent residence, and the principal applicant processing fee. The total amount you’ll need for the sponsorship is $1,050. Then there is an additional biometrics fee that costs $85 per person, increasing the total fee to $1,135.

Woman holding Canada’s flagThe permanent residence fee is $475, but it’s not required to be paid upfront. But as per the IRCC officials, it’s recommended that the applicants pay it during the initial application process as failing to pay this amount can slow down the process.

As for the residents of Quebec, the state requires you to pay an additional fee of $301, which is paid to the provincial government and not the IRCC.

The pre-requisites for the spousal sponsorship application fee are as follows:

  • A valid email address
  • Access to a working printer to print the receipt
  • A debit MasterCard, a credit card, or a Visa debit card.

What Biometric Information Is Needed

Common-law partners and spouses (who are being sponsored) will need to appear in court in person to have their photographs taken, and fingerprints scanned. This is what the biometric information includes. This is an important part of the sponsorship program.

This biometric information step comes after the applicant has:

  • Paid and submitted their biometric fee and application
  • Have received BIL (Biometric Instruction Letter) with a list of collection service points.

Who is Eligible for This Sponsorship Program?

As per Canada’s immigration laws for the spouse or common-law partner sponsorship program, applicants have the freedom to sponsor their spouse or common-law partner. To be an eligible spouse, they must have a legally valid civil marriage certificate.

Here are two rules for a marriage to be legally bound:

  • It was either performed in Canada
  • Or it was performed anywhere outside Canada where the marriage was legally recognized as per the country’s laws.

As for the common-law relationship, the IRCC recognizes any two people, either of the opposite or same gender, living together or living together for at least 12 consecutive months within a marriage-like relationship.

How Long Does This Process Take?

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all immigration processes were halted to deal with other urgent matters. However, now that everything is back to normal, the general processing time has been reduced to 12 months again.

Canada’s capital city, Toronto.If you’re explicitly looking to learn more about the time duration for your application, the IRCC website provides an estimated processing time for various applications.

This estimated time includes:

  • The time duration needed for biometric information
  • The assessment of the person sponsoring and that being sponsored
  • The time duration immigration officials will need to check the eligibility criteria.

Can the Spouse or Common-Law Partner Being Sponsored to Work or Study in Canada After Their Arrival?

The answer to both the aspects above is yes, spouses and common-law partners qualify for an open work permit while the application is being processed. The open work permit can be submitted either with their application or afterward.

However, if the spouse or common-law partner already works or studies in Canada, they can continue as long as their permit is valid.

What Steps are Required to Get and Complete the Sponsorship Application Package?

Sponsors can get a detailed application package online by answering basic questions, including a checklist, instructions, and forms. Some questions include:

  • Why is one being sponsored?
  • The country where the sponsored person is coming from or resides in.
  • The country from where the documents submitted will be issued from.

After this, the next step is to gather all the documents following the checklist provided with the application kit. Ensure the right dates and information and attach all the required documents to prevent any delays, including birth certificates or other identity proofs.

Night view of TorontoAlso, ensure that all the photocopied documents are clear and easy to read. And as for the papers that are not in French or English must have a translated copy along.

Have some questions about the Spouse or Common-Law Sponsorship Program? Get in touch with us today.

If you’re still unsure about the sponsorship program or require additional help, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Nanda & Associate Lawyers today. Our Canadian immigration lawyers can answer all your queries and provide a professional opinion on your case. It’s always better to seek professional advice from an experienced immigration lawyer before taking the plunge.

 

Click here to contact our immigration lawyers in Canada today!

 

Disclaimer: This article is only intended for educational purposes and shouldn’t be used as a substitute for legal advice.

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