4 Red Flags to Look Out for in Trying to Secure Spousal Sponsorships

While not entirely perfect or without controversy, Canada’s immigration policies have always been hailed for its openness to admit migrants to its fold. There are several Canadian immigration services that can get you a permanent residency, each with their own requirements. However, one of the fastest ways to immigrate to Canada is via marriage, provided that you can prove that your marriage is legitimate. 

Proving the legitimacy of your marriage to an immigration officer is a necessary and often crucial step to securing a permanent residency in Canada via spousal sponsorship. Not only will there be a considerable number of requirements, but you will also have to provide a logical progression of your relationship and history to the officer. While this shouldn’t be a huge problem for legitimate couples, there are a few potential issues that one should be aware of when trying to enter Canada using this method. 

Here are four potential issues that you should watch out for: 

1. Previous Divorces in a Foreign Country

If you or your current spouse were previously married, then it’s best to do your due diligence and determine that there are no pending processes that could render your present marriage illegal. You must ensure that the previous marriages have been divorced or annulled completely in the country where the marriage license was issued and that you are both legally allowed to remarry. 

Under Canadian laws, simply being granted a new marriage license is not enough proof of a legal marriage. Instead, you must unequivocally show that there are no underlying complexities that could render it invalid in the countries where the previous marriages were granted.

2. Significant Age Differences Between Spouses 

One of the more controversial reasons spousal sponsorships can get rejected is because of significant age gaps between the sponsor and the foreign spouse. This is because immigration officers are trained to spot and probe common signs of what they see as fraudulent marriages, such as 30 to 40 years in age difference. 

While decisions based on these grounds can be appealed, it could take you and your spouse years to even reach a decision that may or may not be favourable, not to mention cost a small fortune in legal fees. If you find yourself in a situation similar to this, it’s best to consult an immigration consultant to determine your best approach. 

3. Cultural Inconsistencies

The level of scrutiny applied to marriages can vary greatly, but immigration officers will pay close attention to the conduct of your marriage regarding your cultural backgrounds. For example, weddings in India are generally well-attended affairs. If an application involving a marriage done in India was rather intimate, then it could raise questions. 

4. Sponsor’s Unstable Financial Situation

One of the requirements of a successful spousal sponsorship is that the sponsor must demonstrate that they are capable of supporting a spouse without relying on government aid. This is particularly applicable if your or your partner is also going to sponsor a dependent child who is also supporting dependent children of their own. 

Conclusion

Proving the legitimacy of your marriage by disclosing otherwise private and intimate information to an immigration officer might be an uncomfortable thought to you. However, doing so can mean the difference between approval and rejection. While the issues presented here will not automatically disqualify your application, it can significantly increase the time and costs of getting your application approved. This is where it’s worth hiring an immigration adviser to make sure that your application progresses as quickly as possible. 

If you’re looking for professional help from an immigration firm in Toronto, please contact us at info@brightimmigration.com or call 1-888-404-8472.