Spouse, partner or child Visas

Service Description

Sponsoring a spouse or common-law partner is one of the fastest ways to bring your partner to Canada. While you must meet certain sponsorship requirements, it is the quickest path to permanent residency. Who is eligible to sponsor their spouse, partner or child? You’re at least 18 years old You’re a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident of Canada, or a person registered in Canada as an Indian under the Canadian Indian Act You’re not receiving social assistance for reasons other than a disability you can provide for the basic needs of any persons you want to sponsor Responsibility as a Sponsor You must sign an undertaking with the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (or the Ministère de l'Immigration, de la Diversité et de l'Inclusion [MIDI] if you reside in Quebec) before you can sponsor people who fall under the family class. The commitment is a vow to give the family members you are sponsoring financial help and necessities. Food, clothing, utilities, personal needs, housing, fuel, household supplies, and healthcare that is not covered by public health, such as eye and dental treatment, are considered basic necessities. The length of the undertaking depends on their age and their relationship with the sponsor. Considering the advantages and disadvantages of various application methods, it can be difficult to decide whether to submit your application from within Canada or from outside. You must decide what suits you the best and how each application form will impact your present and future. Inland Sponsorship Application Your spouse currently inside in Canada and will able to remain in Canada while application is in process and up until it is finalized. Travel is not recommended Processing times for inland applications are considerably longer than overseas applications, Your spouse may be eligible for an open work permit. There is no right to appeal a negative decision. If your spouse leaves Canada during the processing of his or her application and is not permitted to return, the application may be abandoned. Overseas Sponsorship Application Processing times vary depending on the visa office where the application is processed, but it is typically quicker to apply using the overseas application process than the in-Canada process. The applicant can apply through the overseas process whether they are inside or outside of Canada at the time the application is submitted.