Spousal sponsorship is a pathway for Canadian citizens or permanent residents to sponsor their spouse or common-law partner for Canadian permanent residency. However, both the sponsor and the principal applicant must meet specific eligibility criteria, as must the nature of their relationship.

Sponsor Eligibility:

  • Citizenship or Residency: Must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or registered under the Canadian Indian Act.

  • Age: At least 18 years old.

  • Financial Stability: Ability to financially support the sponsored person. Cannot be on welfare.

  • Residency: If a Canadian citizen living outside Canada, must demonstrate the intention to live in Canada when the sponsored individual becomes a permanent resident. Permanent residents must reside in Canada.

  • No Major Offenses: No history of serious criminality, default on immigration loans, bankruptcy, or under a removal order.

Principal Applicant Eligibility:

  • Marital Status: Legally married to the sponsor or in a common-law partnership for at least one year (with evidence to prove co-habitation.

  • Age: At least 18 years old.

  • Admissibility: Must not be inadmissible to Canada on the grounds of security, health, or criminality.

Relationship Eligibility:

  • Genuineness: Must prove the relationship is genuine and not entered into primarily for immigration purposes.

  • Marriage Validity: If married, the marriage must be legal in the country where it took place and in Canada.

  • Cohabitation: For common-law partners, must provide evidence of cohabitation for at least one year.

All three components – the sponsor, the principal applicant, and the relationship – must pass these eligibility criteria for a successful spousal sponsorship application. It’s essential to provide comprehensive and accurate documentation to support the eligibility claims. Failure to meet any of these criteria can result in the refusal of the sponsorship application.

If you are serious about sponsoring your partner, reach out to us. Let’s have a chat and navigate the complexities of immigration law together to help unite you with your loved one on Canadian soil!