What is Canadian Spousal Sponsorship?
Canadian spousal sponsorship is about bringing families together – after all, home is wherever your family lives.
Immigration Canada allows you to sponsor your loved ones for a life together within Canadian borders. Similar to most immigration programs, the government requires extensive paperwork, documentation, proof of your relationship to ensure that your application will succeed.
Who Qualifies for Sponsoring a Spouse to Canada?
- Canadian citizens, persons registered in Canada as Indian under Canadian Indian Act,
- Permanent residents living in Canada.
- Not receiving social assistance, other than help with disability.
- Able to financially provide for the needs of the person sponsored.
- In a married, common-law or conjugal relationship.
In rare cases, proof that you exceed a low-income cut-off point.
What are the Support Requirements for Sponsorship?
Spouse sponsorship in Canada includes a promise to provide financial support for the person sponsored, including dependent children. You’ll sign an undertaking which pledges support for these basic needs:
- Rent or mortgage, along with utility bills.
- Food and personal toiletries, like shampoo, soap and toothpaste.
- Clothing and other items necessary for daily life.
- Medical costs not covered by public health insurance, such as dental and eye care.
When you sign the undertaking to provide support, you remain financially responsible for your sponsor during the period of time which the sponsorship lasts.
Who are the Most Successful Applicants for This Program?
We’ve helped people from more than 80 different countries around the world, from all walks of life, with their successful application for spousal sponsorship.
How Long is the Processing Time for Sponsorship Applications?
Canada has improved the processing time for permanent resident visas over the years, with the standard application completed in 12 months. This processing time for spousal sponsorship to Canada may lengthen, depending on the details of your case.
Spousal Sponsorship Denied – Top Reasons for Refused Application
- Not enough proof of relationship to prove legitimacy.
- Errors when filling out Canadian spousal sponsorship forms.
- Misrepresentation of facts presented in your application.
- Inadmissibility due to a conviction or public safety issues.
- Unable to meet basic requirements for spousal sponsorship.
Canada Spousal Sponsorship Application FAQ
Does My Spouse Receive Canadian Citizenship?
After a successful sponsorship process, your spouse may begin to fulfill requirements to become a Canadian citizen. A spousal sponsorship could be the first step for your spouse to earn citizenship.
What Type of Marriage Proof Do I Need?
There’s a wide variety of documentation that you may use as proof of relationship, including:
- Joint bank accounts.
- Filing tax returns as a couple.
- Shared bills, such as mortgage, rent and utilities payments.
- Traditional communication, including phone call logs and text messages.
- Social media communication, such as Facebook posts and messages.
- Sharing benefits offered by an employer.
- Statutory declarations from family and friends.
- Photographs of you as a couple.
Do We Need to be Married for Canadian Sponsorship?
- Sponsorship isn’t only for married spouses.
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) spousal sponsorship programs accept applications for common-law partnerships and conjugal relationships. Canadian sponsorship law supports same-sex marriage and relationships from applicants in the LGBTQ community.
Fiancé(e) Visa Canada – Can I Choose This Option Instead?
Canada’s spousal sponsorship program includes applicants with fiancé(e), instead of a separate program for this type of relationship.
Do I Qualify for Spousal Sponsorship If I’ve Been Married Before?
Divorced sponsors are allowed to apply. If you’ve previously sponsored a spouse, that person must be a permanent resident for at least 5 years before you may sponsor another spouse.
Do I Still Qualify If I’ve Been Charged with a Criminal Offense?
You may still qualify for the spouse sponsorship program if you’ve been charged with a criminal offense. Certain criminal offenses will not disqualify you from the process, while others may require additional legal work for your application to succeed.
Does Spousal Sponsorship Include a Work Permit?
If spousal sponsorship has been approved in principle, you may obtain an open work permit. Otherwise, your partner will require a valid work permit.
My Visa Source Can Solve Difficult Spousal Sponsorship Problems
- How do I apply for sponsorship if I’m outside of Canada?
- Can my out of status spouse be sponsored in Canada?
- What proof do I need if I’m sponsoring my common-law partner?
- Do I need special proof of relationship for my same-sex sponsor?
- What relationship proof is required for conjugal relationships?
- Will I be able to sponsor a spouse with a criminal conviction?
Why Contact My Visa Source for an Assessment?
Congratulations on taking your first step toward sponsoring your spouse in Canada. The more research you do on the immigration process, the more you will learn about your specific situation and how we can help you navigate through the Spousal Sponsorship process.
Immigration lawyers at My Visa Source dedicate themselves to your immigration case, providing legal representation tailored to your personal situation. Our expertise focuses on immigration and visa programs for Canada and the United States, including global immigration.
Partnering with an award-winning immigration team greatly increases the likelihood of achieving your specific immigration or visa goals.
Immigration is a complex process that requires strong legal strategy, precise paperwork and perfect attention to detail, reducing the risk of wasted time, money or permanent rejection.
Begin Your Application for Spousal Sponsorship Today
Securing personalized legal help is quick and simple. Begin with our one-minute online immigration assessment form or call us toll-free at 1-888-509-1987.
We have a dedicated team of licensed professionals standing by, ready to answer your immigration and visa questions.
Book a personal consultation to speak with an award-winning immigration lawyer over the phone, on Skype or in-person at our downtown Toronto and Vancouver offices.
Take a Look at Some of our Client Reviews on Spousal Sponsorship »
“My husband and I have been using My Visa Source for nearly two years. Their advice is invaluable and we’ve had them by our side for everything from applying for visitor visa extensions to submitting an application for spousal sponsorship.
My husband was granted permanent residency and we never could have gotten to where we are now without them. Trevor and Sonia saved us from an unbelievable amount of needless stress and worry. Also, their rates are completely reasonable and ended up costing us less than I thought it would!” 
5 out of 5 » Rating by: Leah B.
“Sonia, Anastasiya and their team were incredibly helpful and thorough to help me renew my permanent residency and spousal sponsorship. Great communication by email and timely assistance. Definitely recommended and will use their services in the future again for sure!” 5 out of 5 » Rating by: Carlos S.
“I have researched and used several different Visa lawyers trying to help my spouse immigrate to Canada - this place was the best. Sunny from MyVisaSource was extremely knowledgeable and accessible throughout the entire process. He was very honest and understanding, even if it's not the answer we wanted to hear it was best to know the truth about our situation and associated costs. Highly recommend them to anyone trying to figure out immigration.” 5 out of 5 » Rating by: Casey W.
“I first contacted My Visa Source after visiting their official website, seeing all highly educated information on the work they do, high success rates, awards they have received and testimonies of bringing a loved one here to Canada I felt at ease. What sold me was when I got into contact with Meera Freiwat, case manager of My Visa Source.
We had an amazing conversation about me wanting to bring my girlfriend here to Canada who I met in the Philippines and wanting to help her to have a better life. Meera Freiwat was absolutely phenomenal. She set me spirits in high that this would be very much possible based on the information I gave her about me misses. Meera was so friendly, kind, considerate, highly intelligent and amazing professional with her knowledge of immigration, the documents that I would be providing to them and the outstanding work they would be doing on their end to make it as easy, fast and stress free as possible!
Up to this point I couldn’t be more satisfied with Meera and her team in keeping me updated, walking me through any questions or concerns I may have. I highly, highly recommend My Visa Source for anyone who is looking to help bring a loved one here to Canada for a better opportunity at life!" 5 out of 5 » Rating by: Kyle M.
“Needed help with my immigration status in April 2015. No one wanted to take my case since they believed it was difficult or impossible to gain status because of a criminal matter I was facing back then. I was frustrated and crying but Sunny said he’ll help as much as they can to stay in Canada.
After submitting the spousal sponsorship, I was very concerned if I will get an open work permit (OWP) while waiting for my permanent residence approval. My criminal matter was fixed with a discharge and a month after I got my OWP valid for 2 years. I am very happy with the result and I’m now applying for PR approval.
If not for my visa source, I might not have status in Canada. They really know what they are doing, and what I really like the best is every time I have questions they are very happy to answer. Once I get my PR, I will hire my visa source again for my parents So that they could come visit me here in Canada. Thank You so much Sunny, Sonia and Mandeep! I will be forever thankful for everything!” 5 out of 5 » Rating by: Sam M.
