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Spouse Visa

Gracewelt Immigration  /  Temporary Residence  /  Spouse Visa

How a Canadian citizen or permanent resident can sponsor their spouse to come to Canada and live permanently is Canadian spousal sponsorship. We know in Canada how important it is for families to be together. Applications for spousal sponsorship are considered a high priority for this reason.

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How Long Does it Take to Sponsor Your Spouse in Canada?

It takes approximately 12 months for sponsorship applications to be processed from start to finish. They are usually not handled any faster than 12 months, however, depending on the nature of your situation, they can take longer.

If you have a complicated case, or further evidence of your relationship is needed by the visa office, this will prolong the processing of your case and it will take longer.

What are the Requirements to Sponsor Your Spouse in Canada?

If you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, you may be entitled to sponsor your spouse or common-law partner and satisfy the following conditions.

  • At least 18 years of age.
  • Live in Canada or intend to move to Canada once your spouse or partner becomes a permanent Canadian citizen.
  • You are able and willing to provide for your spouse or partner's basic financial needs for three years.

Immigration officers will expect to see the following facts if you are married and looking to sponsor your husband or wife.

  • Relationship Information and Sponsorship Questionnaire Assessment.
  • Certificate for marriage (see common-law if you are not married).
  • Invitations and pictures for weddings.
  • For any children, you and your partner have together, birth certificates or adoption records.
  • Evidence of marriage registration with a governmental authority.

And at least two of the documents below.

  • Proof that you and your partner collectively own land.
  • Bank Accounts Exchanged.
  • Bills for utilities for both of your names.
  • Copies of IDs published by states.
  • Insurance for vehicles.
  • Pay stubs or tax forms showing you're staying at the same address.

Common-law Sponsorship

Common-law partnerships are treated as the same as traditional marriages under Canadian immigration law. In order for your partnership to be eligible for common-law sponsorship, you must show that you have lived together in a marriage-like relationship for a year or longer as a couple.

Immigration officers will expect to see the following facts if you are in a common-law partnership and looking to sponsor your partner.

  • Relationship Information and Sponsorship Questionnaire Assessment.
  • Birth certificates or adoption records for any children you have along with your common-law wife.
  • Pictures of you and your common-law wife that prove you are in a marital partnership.
  • Proof that you have lived together for a minimum of one year.

And at least two of the documents below :

  • Documents that prove that you are accepted as a common-law spouse with each other, such as jobs or health benefits.
  • Proof between you and your spouse of financial assistance or joint expenses.
  • Proof that family and friends accept your relationship (letters, emails, social media).

Get inventive if you can’t include all the documents listed above. Find ways to include them that show your relationship. Provide letters of explanation or signed documents that may testify to your common-law status from relatives or friends. At the discretion of the visa officer, the final decision about your common law documents will be taken, but the more documentation you can give, the greater the chances of being admitted.