What Happens When You Marry a Canadian?

Most people assume that marrying a Canadian can get them Canadian citizenship. However, it’s a little complicated. You must apply for spousal sponsorship to live in Canada with your spouse. The process for spousal sponsorship used to be relatively easy. However, the Canadian government has imposed strict rules and regulations for these cases due to increased marriage fraud.

If you want to apply for spousal sponsorship in Canada, you must have all the required documentation ready. An immigration lawyer can help you present a strong case and get permanent residency through spousal sponsorship in Canada.

Here are some important things to know.

Spousal Sponsorship for Permanent Residency

Spousal sponsorship enables Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their spouse or common-law partner for permanent residency in Canada. It can be complicated; therefore, you must avoid mistakes and fulfill all application requirements. To ensure this, you can hire a professional immigration lawyer or a spousal sponsorship lawyer in Canada.

The first thing to do is determine if you or your partner are eligible to apply and the type of application you need.

Eligible

The sponsor must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident to be eligible for spousal sponsorship. They must provide proof of being able to support their spouse or partner financially. The sponsored person must also meet specific qualifying standards, such as medical and security clearances, and show that their relationship with the sponsor is real and not for immigration purposes.

Types of Spousal Sponsorship

There are two types of Canadian spousal sponsorship: inland, and outland. Inland sponsorship is for couples who are already in Canada. The sponsored individual can stay in Canada while their application is being processed. On the other hand, outland sponsorship is for couples who live outside Canada and must apply for permanent residency.

Benefits of Marrying a Canadian Citizen

Now let’s talk about some benefits of marrying a Canadian citizen.

Permanent Residency

A foreign national marrying a Canadian citizen and wanting to live in Canada can seek permanent residency through spousal sponsorship. It will allow you to live and work in Canada indefinitely. After fulfilling a few requirements, you can eventually apply for Canadian citizenship.

Access to Healthcare

Canada is a welfare estate with an advanced healthcare system. Marrying a Canadian will give you access to Canada’s publicly funded healthcare system after you become a permanent resident. It will ensure that you and your family receive the necessary medical care.

Work in Canada

You will have the right to work in Canada as a permanent resident. However, you may have to meet other additional requirements to be employed in a Canadian company. You can work with a diverse team and learn new skills for your professional development.

Social Benefits

Being a permanent resident in Canada means you may be entitled to various social benefits as a permanent resident, such as employment insurance, the Canada Pension Plan, and Old Age Security.

Misconceptions

We have already established that getting married to a Canadian does not get you citizenship immediately. Let’s bust some other myths and misconceptions about marrying a Canadian and getting Canadian citizenship.

Misconception: Your spousal sponsorship application will always be approved

Marriage to a Canadian citizen helps you get started with a spousal sponsorship application but does not ensure approval. The Canadian government reviews each application carefully to ensure that the relationship is real and the government has the right to reject an application. It’s recommended to hire a spousal sponsorship lawyer who can guide you through every step of the application.

Misconception: You can enter Canada right after marrying a Canadian Citizen

You must wait for your application to be completed and accepted before entering the country if you’re applying for spousal sponsorship from outside of Canada. An immigration lawyer can help you gather documents and avoid errors in the application, which may speed up the process.

Misconception: Applying for Spousal Sponsorship is easy and can be done without immigration lawyers

The application process for spousal sponsorship is complicated and time-consuming. There are several requirements and documents that need to be submitted. Your case can get rejected if there are any mistakes in the application. An immigration lawyer will help you gather and check documents to facilitate the application process.

Misconception: You Should be able to speak English or French to apply for Spousal Sponsorship

It is not necessary to know English or French to apply for permanent residency through spousal sponsorship in Canada. However, knowing one or both of these languages can be useful.

On the other hand, if you want to immigrate to Canada under the Federal Skilled Worker Program or Canadian Experience Class, you must first pass a language test to demonstrate your proficiency in English or French.

The Road to Citizenship

To become a Canadian citizen, you must first complete the eligibility requirements, which include being physically present in Canada for at least 1,095 days in the five years preceding your application. There is no special procedure for Canadian citizens’ spouses; they can only sponsor you for permanent residency.

You must be a permanent resident, meet the residency requirement, and fulfil additional conditions to apply for citizenship. Children of Canadians who are born in other countries are subject to different laws for Canadian citizenship.

Hire an Immigration Lawyer for Spousal Sponsorship

If you’re looking for an immigration lawyer for spousal sponsorship in Canada, we can help you get started with the permanent residence application.

At Nanda & Associate Lawyers, we offer professional and dependable immigration consultation. Our immigration lawyers can assist you with immigration issues, including spousal sponsorship, work permits, permanent residency, citizenship application, and more.