Partner Visa (Spousal Sponsorship)

The Canada Partner Visa, also known as Spousal Sponsorship, allows a Canadian citizen or permanent resident to sponsor their spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner to become a permanent resident of Canada. This program is designed to reunite families and allows sponsored partners to live, work, and study in Canada.

Key Features of the Canada Partner Visa (Spousal Sponsorship)

  • Permanent Residency: Sponsored partners become permanent residents of Canada and enjoy the same rights and responsibilities as other permanent residents.
  • Work and Study: As a permanent resident, sponsored partners can work and study anywhere in Canada without restrictions.
  • Pathway to Citizenship: After holding permanent residency for a specific period, the sponsored partner can apply for Canadian citizenship.
  • Family Inclusion: You can include dependent children in the application for permanent residency.

Types of Spousal Sponsorship

There are two main categories of Spousal Sponsorship in Canada, depending on where the applicant is located at the time of application:

  1. Inland Spousal Sponsorship

The Inland Spousal Sponsorship program is for partners who are already in Canada, living together with their sponsor. Applicants can apply for an open work permit while their sponsorship application is being processed, allowing them to work in Canada during the waiting period.

  • Eligibility for Open Work Permit: Inland applicants can apply for an open work permit, which allows them to work while waiting for their permanent residency to be processed.
  • Remain in Canada: The sponsored person must remain in Canada throughout the process.

  1. Outland Spousal Sponsorship

The Outland Spousal Sponsorship program is for applicants who are living outside of Canada. This option allows the sponsored person to remain in their home country while the application is processed.

  • Flexibility to Travel: Outland applicants can live outside of Canada while their application is being processed and travel to Canada if they hold a valid visa.
  • Faster Processing: Depending on the applicant’s country of residence, outland sponsorship applications may be processed faster.

Eligibility Requirements for Canada Partner Visa (Spousal Sponsorship)

To apply for Spousal Sponsorship in Canada, both the sponsor and the applicant must meet certain eligibility criteria.

  1. Sponsor Eligibility

To sponsor a partner, you must meet the following requirements:

  • Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident: The sponsor must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
  • Age Requirement: You must be at least 18 years old.
  • Financial Stability: You must demonstrate that you can financially support your partner’s basic needs. However, there is no minimum income requirement for spousal sponsorship unless you are sponsoring a dependent child with children of their own.
  • No Previous Sponsorship Default: You cannot sponsor a partner if you have previously defaulted on a sponsorship agreement, are in bankruptcy, or are under a removal order from Canada.
  • No Criminal Conviction: You must not have been convicted of a violent or sexual offense.

  1. Applicant (Sponsored Person) Eligibility

The applicant being sponsored must meet the following requirements:

  • Age Requirement: The applicant must be at least 18 years old.
  • Genuine Relationship: You must prove that your relationship with your sponsor is genuine and not solely for immigration purposes.
  • Admissibility to Canada: The sponsored person must pass medical, security, and background checks to be admissible to Canada.

  1. Eligible Relationships

To qualify for spousal sponsorship, you must fall into one of the following categories:

  • Spouse: You are legally married to your sponsor.
  • Common-Law Partner: You have lived together in a conjugal relationship for at least 12 consecutive months.
  • Conjugal Partner: You have been in a conjugal relationship for at least 12 months, but exceptional circumstances (e.g., immigration barriers or marital status laws) have prevented you from living together.

Required Documents for the Canada Partner Visa

When applying for Spousal Sponsorship, you will need to provide various documents to support your application:

  1. Proof of Relationship:
    • Marriage certificate (if married).
    • Proof of common-law relationship (joint leases, utility bills, shared bank accounts, etc.).
    • Photos of the couple together, messages, letters, travel documents, or declarations from family and friends supporting the relationship.
  2. Proof of Sponsor’s Status:
    • Canadian passport, birth certificate, or permanent resident card to prove the sponsor’s status in Canada.
  3. Financial Evidence:
    • Bank statements, pay stubs, or employment letters showing that the sponsor can financially support the partner.
  4. Proof of Identity:
    • Passport and birth certificates for both the sponsor and the applicant.
  5. Medical Examination:
    • The applicant must undergo a medical examination with a panel physician approved by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
  6. Police Clearance Certificates:
    • The applicant must provide police clearance certificates from every country they have lived in for at least 6 months since the age of 18.
  7. Photographs:
    • Passport-sized photographs of the applicant and sponsor for identification purposes.

Application Process for the Canada Partner Visa

The Spousal Sponsorship process involves several steps, including submitting an application and waiting for a decision from Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

  1. Submit Your Application

You will need to complete and submit the Spousal Sponsorship application, including all required documents. This application can be submitted online or via mail. The sponsor and the applicant (sponsored person) must each submit forms as part of the application package.

  1. Medical and Police Checks

The sponsored person must undergo a medical examination and provide police clearance certificates as part of the application.

  1. Receive Acknowledgment of Receipt (AOR)

Once the application is submitted, you will receive an Acknowledgment of Receipt (AOR) from IRCC. This confirms that your application has been received and is being processed.

  1. Processing and Decision

IRCC will assess your application, which includes verifying the relationship, checking eligibility, and conducting background and security checks. Processing times vary, but it typically takes 12 to 24 months to receive a decision.

  1. Receive Permanent Residency

If your application is approved, the sponsored person will receive their Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR), and can then enter Canada as a permanent resident.

Visa Costs

The fees associated with Spousal Sponsorship include:

  • Sponsorship Application Fee: CAD 1,080 for the main applicant.
  • Biometrics Fee: CAD 85 for fingerprinting and photo submission.
  • Medical Examination and Police Check: Fees vary depending on the provider and country.

Pathway to Canadian Citizenship

Once the sponsored person becomes a permanent resident, they can live, work, and study in Canada. After fulfilling residency requirements, usually 3 years of living in Canada as a permanent resident, they may be eligible to apply for Canadian citizenship.

How We Can Help

At A Square Migration Services, we offer professional guidance and support throughout the entire Canada Spousal Sponsorship process. Our services include:

  • Eligibility Assessment: We assess your eligibility to sponsor or be sponsored and help ensure your application meets the necessary criteria.
  • Document Preparation: We assist in gathering and preparing all the required documents to support your relationship and application.
  • Application Lodgment: We help you submit a complete and accurate application, ensuring all necessary information is provided to avoid delays.
  • Ongoing Support: We provide continuous updates and advice throughout the application process, ensuring you stay informed of any developments.

Reunite with Your Loved One in Canada

The Canada Partner Visa (Spousal Sponsorship) program allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to reunite with their spouses and partners and build a life together in Canada. At A Square Migration Services, we are dedicated to helping you navigate the sponsorship process and ensure your application is successful.

Contact us today to start your Spousal Sponsorship application and bring your partner to Canada!