How to Apply for a Canada Spouse Sponsorship Visa

The Canadian spouse sponsorship visa is a visit that allows you to sponsor your loved ones to come to Canada. The steps to process this kind of visa can be quite complicated but with the right guidance, you can successfully apply for it and get approved.

In this article, we will walk you through everything you need to know when applying for a Canada spouse sponsorship visa. You will gain practical knowledge to ensure you apply the right way and get approved.

By the end, you will have a very clear roadmap to what you should and shouldn’t do. What might cause your application to be delayed and the common mistakes you should avoid to get approval?

What Is a Spousal Sponsorship Visa?

A Canada sponsorship visa is a pathway that helps Canadian citizens and permanent residents reunite with their foreign spouses or common-law partners. This visa is managed by immigration refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

When the spousal sponsorship visa is approved, the spouse gets permanent resident status that allows them to work, live, and study in Canada. Unlike a work visa, this visa allows for long-term stays.

It is important to note that this type of visa can only be used to sponsor a spouse that you are already married to or someone you plan to marry once you arrive in Canada.

Who Is Eligible to Apply for a Canada Spousal Sponsorship Visa?

The eligibility criteria for a Canada spousal sponsorship visa are set by immigration refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The sponsor and the spouse must meet some requirements to ensure that the application is accepted. Here are some of the requirements.

Eligibility Criteria for Sponsors

To sponsor your spouse, you must;

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Must be a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident living in Canada, or a Canadian citizen living abroad
• You must prove that you are not receiving social assistance unless it’s related to disability.
• Prove that you have the financial ability to support your spouse’s basic needs like food, housing, and healthcare.

Eligibility Criteria for the Sponsored Spouse

• Be at least 18 years old
• Must be legally married to the sponsor or you must qualify as a common law partner under Canadian law.
• Provide valid documents to prove the legitimacy of your relationship/ marriage.
• You must pass medical criminal and background checks to prove that you are admissible to Canada

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Step-by-Step Process to Apply for a Spousal Sponsorship Visa

These are the steps you need to follow when applying for a Canadian spouse sponsorship visa;

Confirm your eligibility

Ensure that you are at least 18 years of age, a Canadian citizen, and have the required finance before you can apply. Also, your spouse must meet the admissibility requirement which includes medical and background checks

Have all the necessary documents

You must have complete documentation of both you and your spouse, this includes proof of relationship, identity documents financial proof, and additional forms specific to your situation.

Complete the sponsorship form.

You should download and fill out all the required forms from the IRCC. They include

• IMM 1344: Application to Sponsor.
• IMM 5532: Relationship Information and Sponsorship Evaluation.
• IMM 5409: Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union (if applicable).

Pay the application fees.

Ensure that all fees including sponsorship fee, processing fee, and the right to permanent residency fee are all paid. You can make payments online through the IRCC payment portal.

Submit the application package:

Now that you have all your documents and forms filled out, the next thing is to submit them. Check to ensure that you have everything that would be required of you to avoid delay. Send your application to the IRCC address that is specified for spouse sponsorship.

Wait for Acknowledgment of Receipt (AOR)

Once your application has been received, a notice called an Acknowledgment of receipt will be sent to you this confirms that your application has been received and is being worked on. This notice will come with your application number to track the process of your application.

Attend an interview (if required)

In some cases, they may ask you to attend an interview to verify the authenticity of your relationship. Ensure that you have submitted the right documents before attending.

Receive the decision

Once your application has been processed and approved, the IRCC will notify you of their decision, your spouse will receive a confirmation of permanent residence and a visa to enter Canada.

Complete landing process

Upon arrival in Canada, your spouse must complete the lading process with the border services officer. They will then be given the PR card that officially grants them the right to live study and work in Canada.

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Common Mistakes to Avoid When Applying for a Spousal Sponsorship Visa

There are little mistakes you shouldn’t make when it comes to applying for a spouse sponsorship visa because even the smallest mistakes can prove to be very costly. Here are a few things you should avoid;

• Submitting an Incomplete Application
• Providing Insufficient Proof of Relationship
• Ignoring Translation Requirements
• Forgetting to Pay the Correct Fees
• Delaying Police Certificates or Medical Exams
• Providing Inconsistent Information
• Not Responding to IRCC Requests on Time
• Overlooking Eligibility Requirements
• misinterpreting Application Guidelines
• Relying on Inaccurate or Outdated Information

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What to Do if Your Visa Is Denied

Getting a visa denial is always heartbreaking, but it is not the end of the world. If you ever get a visa spousal sponsorship visa denial here are a few steps you can take;

Understand the reason for your denial.

The IRCC will always provide you a letter upon rejection do well to understand the reason as to why they denied you. Some of the reasons might be;

• Missing or incomplete documents
• Insufficient proof to verify the authenticity of your relationship
• Your sponsor not meeting the requirements
• Your spouse’s indomitability due to criminal history or medical issues.

Request access to your files

If the reason as to why you were denied remains unclear, you can request the GCMS notes. This states clearly when the visa officer made the decision.

Evaluate your options

Once you have established the reason as to why you got a denial, there are two options left. You may decide to reapply if the case lacks documents or insufficient proof. You can take all the time you need to gather stronger evidence and then submit a new application.

The other way is to file an appeal if the case was that of an unfair denial, probably based on incorrect information. The appeal must be submitted within 30 days of receiving your rejection letter.

Consult an immigration professional.

In most cases, when it’s out of your hands, you might likely need the help of a professional. They will help you understand your options, gather stronger evidence, and present a compelling case to the IRCC.

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How Long Does the SS Visa Process Take?

Many things could affect the processing time of your spouse’s sponsorship visa, one of which can be the location of your spouse. The average posing time is within 12 months for most applications.

Factors That Affect Processing Times

Completeness of the Application

Submitting incomplete applications or missing documents can often lead to delays. Make sure you verify all documents before you submit them.

Country of Residence of the Sponsored Spouse

As I mentioned earlier the country of residence of your spouse can play a significant role in the processing time of your visa. This is a result of variation in the processing due to different regions.

Additional Requests from IRCC

If the IRCC decides they need more information from you to verify any of the claims you have made, then they might extend the processing timeline.

Tips to speed up the process

• Submit a Complete Application:
• Respond Quickly to IRCC Requests
• Check the IRCC processing times tool regularly to monitor timelines specific to your region.