Canadian Spousal & Family Sponsorship Visa
Family & Spousal Sponsorship Visa
Family immigration is an integral part of Canada’s immigration system, allowing Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their eligible family members for permanent residency. Among the different sponsorship programs, Canadian spousal sponsorship is one of the most significant, ensuring that married and common-law partners can reunite and build a life together in Canada. This process plays a crucial role in reuniting families and promoting social unity within the country.
As a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident residing in Canada, you have the opportunity to sponsor your spouse, common-law partner, children, parents, and/or grandparents for immigration. The Canadian spousal sponsorship program allows you to bring your spouse or partner to Canada, whether they are currently living in Canada or abroad, helping to strengthen family bonds. Below are the programs specifically designed to help reunite families. You are allowed to sponsor additional relatives or groups of relatives after a three-year interval from the last sponsorship, provided you continue to fulfill all the sponsorship criteria:
Explore your Immigration Options
It will take only 60 seconds – take the free online assessment test and find the best option for you.
Our skilled team uses their knowledge to carefully check if you and your family member or spouse can likely succeed in the Family Class Sponsorship program, ensuring you understand your chances of being eligible.
Spousal, Conjugal and Common law Sponsorship
You can sponsor your legal spouse , common-law partner or conjugal partner to join you in Canada.
Parent & GrandParent Sponsorship
Under certain conditions, you may be able to sponsor your parents and grandparents to join you in Canada.
Dependent Child Sponsorship
You can sponsor your dependent children, including adopted children, to come and live with you in Canada.
Here Is The List of Programs That Are Focused On Reuniting Family Members
Spouse, Common Law Partner, or Conjugal Partner Sponsorship is a program offered by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) that allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their spouse or common-law partner for permanent residency in Canada. This program, commonly known as Canadian Spousal Sponsorship, aims to facilitate family reunification by enabling couples to live together in Canada.
Spouse, Common-Law , or Conjugal Sponsorship applications fall into two separate categories:
- Inland Sponsorship: The inland sponsorship application is to facilitate the sponsorship of a spouse or common-law partner who is already in Canada with valid temporary status. This application allows the sponsored individual to remain in Canada throughout the sponsorship process and provides them with the opportunity to obtain an open work permit. Please be aware that with Inland sponsorship, there is no option to appeal if the application is denied.
- Outland Sponsorship Application: Outland sponsorship application is to sponsor a spouse, common-law or conjugal partner who is residing outside of Canada. This application route allows the sponsored individual to obtain permanent residency upon approval and then enter Canada as a permanent resident. The benefit of applying through this category is the ability to appeal and have the decision reviewed if your application is initially rejected.
What are the eligibility criteria for Canadian Spousal Sponsorship
- Sponsor Eligibility: The sponsor must be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident who is at least 18 years old and residing in Canada.
- Relationship Eligibility: The sponsor must be married to or in a common-law relationship with the sponsored spouse or partner.
- Valid Temporary Status: The sponsored spouse or partner must have a valid temporary status in Canada, such as a visitor, student, or worker.
- Low-Income-Cut-Off (LICO): For most people sponsoring a spouse, partner, or dependent child, you don’t need to worry about meeting a specific income level. But, if the person you’re sponsoring has a dependent child who also has children, you’ll need to meet the minimum income requirement set by the Canadian government each year. This is called the LICO (Low Income Cut-Off). If this rule applies to you, remember to add a Financial Evaluation form (IMM 1283) to your application.
Important Details for Inland Sponsorship Application:
- Open Work Permit: If the inland sponsorship application is approved, the sponsored spouse or partner will be eligible for an open work permit, allowing them to work in Canada while their permanent residency application is being processed.
- Inland Processing Time: The processing time for inland sponsorship applications can vary, but it generally takes around 12 to 18 months.
- In-Canada Application: The application is submitted to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) from within Canada.
- Co-Habitation Requirement: During the application process, the sponsored spouse or partner and the sponsor must continue to live together in a genuine and ongoing relationship.
Important Details for Outland Sponsorshiap Application
- Outland Processing Time: The processing time for outland sponsorship applications can vary, but it generally takes around 12 to 18 months.
- Visa Office Processing: The application is submitted to the visa office responsible for the country or region where the sponsored spouse or partner resides.
- Permanent Resident Visa: If the outland sponsorship application is approved, the sponsored spouse or partner will be issued a permanent resident visa, and upon entry into Canada, they will become a permanent resident.
A vital immigration program that allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their parents and grandparents for permanent residency in Canada. Each year, the Canadian government allocates a specific quota for new applications under the PGP, and the demand often exceeds the available spots.
What are the eligibility Criteria for parent and grandparent program?
To qualify for the Parent and Grandparent Program, there are certain essential criteria that must be met. The sponsoring individual must:
- Be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada.
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Demonstrate financial stability, ensuring the ability to support their parents or grandparents financially without relying on social assistance.
- Comply with sponsorship and financial undertaking obligations.
What undertaking requirements are there?
When sponsoring parents or grandparents through this program, it is crucial to understand the undertaking process. The sponsorship undertaking involves:
- Financial Support: As a sponsor, you must provide financial support for your parents or grandparents, ensuring their basic needs are met. This includes accommodation, food, and other essential expenses, for a specific period determined by the government. Refer to specific income requirements, minimum necessary income is calculated as the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) plus 30%.
- Duration: The undertaking period is typically ten years, starting from the day your parents or grandparents become permanent residents of Canada.
- Legal Responsibilities: As a sponsor, you will be legally responsible for the individuals you sponsor. This includes their financial well-being and ensuring they do not rely on government assistance during the undertaking period.
If you urgently need to reunite with your parents and grandparents in Canada, consider the Super Visa program. The Super Visa allows your parents and grandparents to enter Canada multiple times and remain in Canada for up to 5 years at a time.
This program provides a pathway for eligible Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their dependent children, ensuring they can be reunited and enjoy the benefits of family life in Canada.
Who You Can Sponsor?
- Your own child if he/she is not a Canadian citizen already,
- An adopted child
- An orphaned family member
- Your spouse or common-law partner’s own child
What are the eligibility Criteria for dependant child program?
To be eligible for the Dependent Child Program, there are specific criteria that both the sponsor and the dependent child must meet:
- Sponsor Eligibility:
- You must be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada.
- You must be at least 18 years old.
- You must demonstrate the ability to provide financial support for the sponsored child without relying on social assistance.
- Dependent Child Eligibility:
- The child must be under the age of 22 and unmarried.
- The child must be your biological or adopted child, or the child of your spouse or common-law partner.
- The child must not be in a conjugal relationship or have a child of their own.
Spouse, Common Law Partner, or Conjugal Partner Sponsorship is a program offered by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) that allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their spouse or common-law partner for permanent residency in Canada. This program aims to facilitate family reunification by enabling couples to live together in Canada.
Spouse, Common-Law , or Conjugal Sponsorship applications fall into two separate categories:
- Inland Sponsorship: The inland sponsorship application is to facilitate the sponsorship of a spouse or common-law partner who is already in Canada with valid temporary status. This application allows the sponsored individual to remain in Canada throughout the sponsorship process and provides them with the opportunity to obtain an open work permit.
Please be aware that with Inland sponsorship, there is no option to appeal if the application is denied. - Outland Sponsorship Application: Outland sponsorship application is to sponsor a spouse, common-law or conjugal partner who is residing outside of Canada. This application route allows the sponsored individual to obtain permanent residency upon approval and then enter Canada as a permanent resident.
The benefit of applying through this category is the ability to appeal and have the decision reviewed if your application is initially rejected.
What are the eligibility criteria for family sponsorship
- Sponsor Eligibility: The sponsor must be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident who is at least 18 years old and residing in Canada.
- Relationship Eligibility: The sponsor must be married to or in a common-law relationship with the sponsored spouse or partner.
- Valid Temporary Status: The sponsored spouse or partner must have a valid temporary status in Canada, such as a visitor, student, or worker.
- Low-Income-Cut-Off (LICO): For most people sponsoring a spouse, partner, or dependent child, you don't need to worry about meeting a specific income level. But, if the person you're sponsoring has a dependent child who also has children, you'll need to meet the minimum income requirement set by the Canadian government each year. This is called the LICO (Low Income Cut-Off). If this rule applies to you, remember to add a Financial Evaluation form (IMM 1283) to your application.
Important Details for Inland Sponsorship Application:
- Open Work Permit: If the inland sponsorship application is approved, the sponsored spouse or partner will be eligible for an open work permit, allowing them to work in Canada while their permanent residency application is being processed.
- Inland Processing Time: The processing time for inland sponsorship applications can vary, but it generally takes around 12 to 18 months.
- In-Canada Application: The application is submitted to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) from within Canada.
- Co-Habitation Requirement: During the application process, the sponsored spouse or partner and the sponsor must continue to live together in a genuine and ongoing relationship.
Important Details for Outland Sponsorshiap Application
- Outland Processing Time: The processing time for outland sponsorship applications can vary, but it generally takes around 12 to 18 months.
- Visa Office Processing: The application is submitted to the visa office responsible for the country or region where the sponsored spouse or partner resides.
- Permanent Resident Visa: If the outland sponsorship application is approved, the sponsored spouse or partner will be issued a permanent resident visa, and upon entry into Canada, they will become a permanent resident.
A vital immigration program that allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their parents and grandparents for permanent residency in Canada. Each year, the Canadian government allocates a specific quota for new applications under the PGP, and the demand often exceeds the available spots.
What are the eligibility Criteria for parent and grandparent program?
To qualify for the Parent and Grandparent Program, there are certain essential criteria that must be met. The sponsoring individual must:
- Be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada.
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Demonstrate financial stability, ensuring the ability to support their parents or grandparents financially without relying on social assistance.
- Comply with sponsorship and financial undertaking obligations.
What undertaking requirements are there?
When sponsoring parents or grandparents through this program, it is crucial to understand the undertaking process. The sponsorship undertaking involves:
- Financial Support: As a sponsor, you must provide financial support for your parents or grandparents, ensuring their basic needs are met. This includes accommodation, food, and other essential expenses, for a specific period determined by the government. Refer to specific income requirements, minimum necessary income is calculated as the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) plus 30%.
- Duration: The undertaking period is typically ten years, starting from the day your parents or grandparents become permanent residents of Canada.
- Legal Responsibilities: As a sponsor, you will be legally responsible for the individuals you sponsor. This includes their financial well-being and ensuring they do not rely on government assistance during the undertaking period.
If you urgently need to reunite with your parents and grandparents in Canada, consider the Super Visa program. The Super Visa allows your parents and grandparents to enter Canada multiple times and remain in Canada for up to 5 years at a time.
This program provides a pathway for eligible Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their dependent children, ensuring they can be reunited and enjoy the benefits of family life in Canada.
Who You Can Sponsor?
- Your own child if he/she is not a Canadian citizen already,
- An adopted child
- An orphaned family member
- Your spouse or common-law partner’s own child
What are the eligibility Criteria for dependant child program?
To be eligible for the Dependent Child Program, there are specific criteria that both the sponsor and the dependent child must meet:
- Sponsor Eligibility:
- You must be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada.
- You must be at least 18 years old.
- You must demonstrate the ability to provide financial support for the sponsored child without relying on social assistance.
- Dependent Child Eligibility:
- The child must be under the age of 22 and unmarried.
- The child must be your biological or adopted child, or the child of your spouse or common-law partner.
- The child must not be in a conjugal relationship or have a child of their own.
From the initial assessment to the final submission of your application, we provide meticulous attention to detail and a tailored approach, ensuring that all necessary documentation is prepared accurately and promptly. Our team will guide you through the sponsorship undertaking, ensuring you understand your obligations and responsibilities as a sponsor
Canadian Spousal Sponsorship Questions
Yes, spousal sponsorship applications can be rejected for several reasons:
- Genuineness of Relationship: If the government doubts the authenticity of your relationship or believes it was entered into solely for immigration purposes, your application may be denied.
- Sponsor Ineligibility: If you, as the sponsor, do not meet the eligibility criteria (e.g., serious criminal record or failure to meet financial requirements), your application can be rejected.
- Spouse’s Ineligibility: If your spouse does not meet the requirements (e.g., due to criminal, financial, health, or other issues), the application can be denied.
- Insufficient Evidence: Not providing enough proof to support your relationship can lead to a denial.
- Incorrect Application: Mistakes in the application, missing information, or unsigned forms can result in rejection.
- In Canada, spousal sponsorship applications are assessed based on the submitted documentation.
- Interviews are not typically required but may occur.
- Once approved, your spouse will receive a permanent resident card valid for five years.
- After five years, your spouse can renew their permanent residence or apply for Canadian citizenship if eligible.
Yes, you can apply for spousal sponsorship through IRCC’s online portal. This portal is used to submit all required forms, supporting evidence, and legal submissions.Yes, you can apply for spousal sponsorship through IRCC’s online portal. This portal is used to submit all required forms, supporting evidence, and legal submissions.
Inland Sponsorship
- Pros: You and your spouse can stay together in Canada during the application process.
- Cons: Traveling outside Canada is not recommended until the application is processed.
Outland Sponsorship
- Pros: Your spouse can travel in and out of Canada during the application process. Once approved, they can move to Canada with all their belongings.
- Cons: The process involves coordination with a visa office abroad.
Both inland and outland applications now allow for work permit applications.
Besides a marriage certificate, you need to prove the genuineness of your relationship. This can include:
- Correspondence: Emails, letters, and messages.
- Photos and Videos: Visual evidence of your time together.
- Joint Financial Records: Bank statements, utility bills, and other shared documents.
- Affidavits: Statements from friends and family affirming the relationship.
At WEICS, we offer a variety of services, from review services for DIY applicants to full service representation for spousal sponsorship. To learn more, Book A Consultation with our Licensed Immigration Consultant.
Parent & Grand Parent Sponsorship Questions
- You must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
- You need to be at least 18 years old.
- You must be able to provide financial support for at least 20 years once your parents become permanent residents.
- Not everyone qualifies to be a sponsor due to specific eligibility criteria
- Yes, sponsored parents must undergo a medical exam
- The exam must be done by a designated physician authorized by Citizenship and Immigration Canada.
- The results are sent directly to Citizenship and Immigration Canada by the panel physician.
- The sponsorship agreement is a document proving your Minimum Necessary Income.
- It must be submitted with the sponsorship application to confirm you can financially support your parents.
- Sponsors must show they have enough income to support themselves, their immediate family in Canada, and the parents or grandparents being sponsored.
Can my parents or grandparents apply for a visitor visa or super visa while their PR application is being processed?
Yes, they can apply for a visitor visa or super visa if they meet the eligibility criteria, even while their PR application is being processed.
At WEICS, we offer a variety of services, from review services for DIY applicants to full service representation for parents/grandparents sponsorship. To learn more, Book A Consultation with our Licensed Immigration Consultant.
Dependent Child Sponsorship
The child must be under 22 years old and not have a common-law partner.
If over 22, the child must be unable to support themselves financially due to a mental or physical condition and have depended on their parents since before 22.
The application has two parts: the application to sponsor and the application for permanent residence.
Both parts are submitted together, primarily through an online portal.
IRCC first assesses the sponsor’s eligibility.
If the sponsor is eligible, IRCC then assesses the permanent residence application of the sponsored family member.
Processing times vary depending on the child’s location and other factors.
IRCC will send instructions on how the applicant can confirm their permanent resident status and/or travel to Canada if necessary.
The lock-in age is determined on the date Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) receives the complete permanent residence application.
If a child is under 22 years old and not a spouse or common-law partner at the time of the lock-in date, they will continue to be considered a dependent child even if they turn 22 during the processing of the application.
The child must remain unmarried and not in a common-law relationship until permanent residence is confirmed.
No, this information is for general purposes and is subject to change. For personalized advice, schedule a consultation with our office.