Now that you’re married and want to settle down in Canada, keep in mind that there are steps to take if your partner isn’t a Canadian citizen. First, what you can do is apply for a spousal sponsorship. There are also requirements needed before you get to sponsor your partner. For one, you must be at least 18 years old, a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident or you’re registered in Canada as an Indian under the Canadian Indian Act.
Moreover, you shouldn’t be receiving any social assistance unless due to a disability. Likewise, you should be financially capable of providing for your spouse. When you have all these requirements sorted out, you will also need to prove the genuineness of your relationship to the immigration officers.
Relationship Qualification
An essential part of spousal sponsorship is the genuineness of the relationship. This essentially means that you will need to prove the validity of your relationship with your spouse. For married couples, you need to have a legal marriage certification, and the marriage must be legally recognized in the country where the ceremony took place.
For common-law partners, you will need to prove that you have been living or lived with your partner for at least 12 consecutive months in a marriage-like relationship.
For conjugal partners, on the other hand, your partner must be living outside Canada, and you have been in a relationship with them for at least a year. You should also show proof of why the two of you can’t live together as a couple.
Relationship Proof
You will need to verify your relationship by submitting legal documents, such as a marriage certificate, joint financial documents, joint bank accounts, co-ownership of property, and many more.
You will also be asked to provide photos of your wedding, emails, phone/text records, letters from friends and family, photos from trips you have taken together. Keep in mind that the requirements will vary based on the type of relationship you have.
For Partners Outside Canada
If your partner is outside the country, you will need to apply under the Family Class Category. The application will be processed outside the country, and your partner may visit Canada under a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) while the sponsorship application is still being processed. Unfortunately, your partner won’t be able to work during the stay and must go back to their home country until the spousal application is approved.
For Partners Inside Canada
If your partner is in the country, you need to apply for the Spouse or Common-Law Partner in Canada Class category. Your partner must have a TRV, study visa or work permit.
Conclusion
At this point, you now know that sponsoring a spouse to live in Canada is not an easy task. There is a complex process that you need to follow along with numerous documents to submit to prove your relationship. This is why you should consider working with an immigration consultant to help you sail through the process.
Immigration agencies are familiar with the process and can expertly assist you. Because of this, many immigrants seek the help of a consultant to help increase their chances of getting into the country. If you plan to sponsor a spouse to Canada, don’t hesitate to reach out to a reliable immigration agency to help you.
If you’re looking for professional help from a trusted firm, please contact us at info@brightimmigration.com or call 1-888-404-8472.