Complete Guideline of Spousal Sponsorship Checklist

When you are in Canada, and your better half is in another country, the first thing you want is him or her with you. But sponsoring your spouse can be complicated due to the different processes, documents, and conditions.

To sponsor a spouse, there are several conditions that your partner has to meet, along with some documents and requirements. A spousal sponsorship checklist can help you understand them easily.

That’s why, in this article, we will provide all the requirements in the form of a checklist. Here you will know what to do, what to bring, and what to collect before applying for a spousal sponsorship.

Spousal Sponsorship Checklist: Types of Relationships

In Canada, there are three types of spousal union available and accepted. They are-

1. Couples who are married legally:

It is the oldest form of spousal bond. If two people are married under the law or religion, they are a married couple. They can be married in any country and any religion. Some places allow same-sex couples to get married. They will also be considered a married couple.

2. The couple who are in a common-law relationship:

This is much like a married couple but without the marriage. In present times, the live-in relationship or common-law partnership is increasing. In this relationship, two partners may not be married but need to live together for at least one year.

3. Couples who are married but separated:

Like a married couple, they are married by law; but they don’t or can’t live together for some reason. They live separately but have a married relation for more than one year.

N.B. who is the principal applicant in spousal sponsorship?

In the case of spousal sponsorship, the partner or spouse should be the principal applicant.

In What Cases Your Relationship Is Invalid?

• If the sole purpose of the marriage is to get immigration in Canada
• If the marriage is a fraud
• If the other spouse is under 18 at the time of marriage
• If the sponsor has a record of sponsoring previously in 5 years
• If any of the partners were married at the time of marriage

Spousal Sponsorship Checklist: Who Can apply for Sponsorship

• You must be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident.
• You must be 18 or above.
• You live in Canada. In case you live in a different country, you have to make sure you will be back and live in Canada.
• You must be able to bear all the responsibility of your spouse. You have to prove that you are financially stable enough to take responsibility.
• If you live in Québec, you must meet the additional requirements the province asks you to.

What are The Facts That Make You Ineligible to Sponsor?

• If you are in prison;
• If you have a previous record of sexual harassment;
• If you have a history of imprisonment of more than ten years;
• If you have a history of hurting a partner physically;
• If you are a defaulter;
• If you are bankrupt;

Whom You Can Sponsor

• Spouse/ common-law partner/ married partner;
• He/she must be 18 or above;
• He/she must live with you in Canada;
• Children, however, have different criteria and must be applied separately.

Spousal Sponsorship Checklist: Submit your Application

A sponsorship application comprises two parts:

• The sponsor’s question
• The sponsored person’s application for permanent residence

The two forms must be sent at the same time. The key steps to apply for sponsorship are:

1. It is strongly recommended to read the Guide, to avoid running into the most common mistakes.
2. Fill on your online account or in hard copy.

Collect all the completed forms and upload them to the site. Or, if you opt for the paper format, arrange them in the order indicated and sent them to CIC.

Please note that together with the original documents, it is always essential to attach the translation of documents that are not in English or French. Below you will find the documents needed.

Spousal Sponsorship Checklist: Documents Needed

The documents you will need to send are:

General documents:

• Application (mentioned above);
• Photographs of both the sponsor and sponsored;
• Family information;
• Proof the residency;
• The certificates of evaluation mentioned below;
• Marriage certificates;
• Documents of the dependent (if any)

For first-stage approval spousal sponsorship:

At this stage, someone from IRCC will evaluate or review your documents. You need to submit-

• The application form is filled with all the information
• Your financial statement: proof that you can carry all the responsibilities to support your spouse
• Proof that you are a citizen or a P.R.
• Proof that they are 18 or above

For second-stage approval spousal sponsorship:

In this stage, the IRCC will review the following documents-

• Your medical certificates (if needed);
• Your police report (if needed);
• All your biometric information;
• Application for any changes in the previously presented information.

Spousal Sponsorship Processing Times: How long does it take?

It depends on the complexity of the process. If you have a simple case of sponsorship without any bumps, it can take up to 1 year to get the final result.

If there is any missing information or complex situations, it will take more time. Also, the more experienced the office is, the faster the process will be.

For this reason, we always recommend contacting an experienced lawyer who will be able to direct you in the right direction. Also, he will be able to ensure that you have everything that the spouse sponsorship in Canada checklist has.

Checking Your Spousal Sponsorship Citizenship Application Status

Once you’ve submitted your spousal sponsorship application, it’s natural to be eager to track its progress. The Canadian government provides a convenient online tool that allows you to check the status of your citizenship application easily. Here’s how:

1. Visit the Official Website: Go to the official website of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) here.
2. Create or Log in to Your Account: If you have an existing account, log in. If not, you’ll need to create one. This account will be your gateway to various immigration services, including checking your application status.
3. Access Your Application Status: Once you’re logged in, navigate to the application status section. Here, you’ll find a list of your submitted applications, including your spousal sponsorship application.
4. Check Your Citizenship Application Status: Click on your spousal sponsorship application to see its status. The system will provide you with real-time updates on where your application stands in the processing queue. You may also receive important notifications and requests for additional documents through this portal.

Remember that processing times can vary depending on factors such as the volume of applications and individual circumstances. However, regularly checking your application status can help you stay informed and prepared throughout the spousal sponsorship process.

For more guidance on the spousal sponsorship application process and a comprehensive checklist to ensure you’ve covered all the necessary steps, explore our complete guidelines of the spousal sponsorship checklist.

 

Conclusion:

Spousal sponsorship inside Canada is a very common process as in Canada, and the family is the top priority. The government of Canada tries everything to make this process easier so that the sponsorship process goes smooth.

However, when it comes to documents, requirements, and criteria- things can get a little messy. That’s why we prepared this spousal sponsorship checklist for you. Also, remember, an experienced immigration lawyer can make things quite easier for you.