Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor their spouses or partners for permanent residence. The spouse or partner sponsorship process leads to permanent residency, not a temporary visa.
There is no confusion or false promises in this guide since it explains the process step-by-step.
An overview of Canadian marriage visa sponsorships
There is no such thing as a “Marriage Visa” in Canada.
Instead:
- A permanent residence sponsorship has been granted to your spouse
- It is possible for them to live, work, and study in Canada once they have been approved
- Relationships between spouses or partners form the basis of sponsorship
Canadians who can sponsor a spouse
In order to sponsor your spouse or partner, you must:
- You must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
- A minimum age of 18 is required
- Living in Canada (or planning to return if you are a foreign citizen)
- You cannot be bankrupt, in prison, or convicted of certain crimes
- Be ineligible for social assistance (except disability assistance)
It is usually not necessary to have a minimum income to sponsor your spouse.
Sponsorship is available to anyone
Sponsors can include:
- Spouses who are legally married
- Living together for a minimum of 12 months as a common-law partner
- Relationship with a conjugal partner (in rare and exceptional cases)
Partner must:
- You must be at least 18 years old
- Medical, criminal, and background checks must be passed
- Maintain a genuine relationship with you
Step 1: Choose between inland and outland sponsorships
Inland sponsorship
You should choose this if:
- The spouse of yours is already in Canada
- They should apply for an open work permit
Pros:
- While waiting, the spouse can work
- Leaving Canada is not necessary
Cons:
- It is risky to travel outside Canada during the processing process
Outland sponsorship
You should choose this if:
- You live outside of Canada with your spouse
- Processes need to be faster or more flexible
Pros:
- It is possible for the spouse to travel freely
- Refusals are subject to appeal
Cons:
- Work permit is not automatically issued during processing
Step 2: Verify that the relationship is genuine
The most important part of your application is this.
The following are strong evidences:
- Marriage certificate
- Wedding photos
- Chat messages, call logs, emails
- Joint bank accounts or bills
- Lease agreements or shared address proof
- Travel history together
- Statements from friends and family
Top reasons for refusal are weak or missing evidence.
Step 3: Submit applications for sponsorship and public relations
The following must be completed:
- Sponsorship forms (sponsor)
- Permanent residence forms (applicant)
- Relationship questionnaires
- Background and family information
The following information must be provided:
- Honest
- Consistent
- Easy to verify
Inconsistencies can lead to delays or refusals.
Step 4: Make the required payment
Fees typically include:
- Sponsorship fee
- Permanent residence processing fee
- Right of permanent residence fee
- Biometrics fee (if applicable)
To avoid delays, fees must be paid in full before submission.
Step 5: Complete the online application
It is now possible for most spousal sponsorship applications to be processed online in Canada.
After submission:
- Receive confirmation of your purchase
- There may be a request for biometrics
- Medical exam instructions are issued
- Background checks begin
Step 6: Medical examination and biometrics
You will need your spouse to:
- Take a photo and fingerprints
- Obtain a medical examination from a doctor who is approved
Refusals can result from failure to complete these on time.
Step 7: Participate in an interview (if necessary)
Interviews are not conducted with all applicants.
Typically, interviews cover the following topics:
- Relationship history
- Daily life details
- Consistency between answers
Preparation is key. The majority of genuine couples pass easily.
Step 8: Await final decision and processing
The processing process may take several months or more, depending on the complexity of the case.
During this period:
- Documents are verified by immigration officers
- The background and security checks continue
- There may be a need for additional documents
Avoid delays by responding quickly.
Step 9: Getting approval and landing in Canada
Upon approval:
- Approval of your spouse’s permanent residence
- During landing, they complete the procedures
- Permanent resident cards are issued
As a result, your spouse can now:
- Regardless of where you live in Canada
- Without restrictions, work
- Having access to healthcare and education
What you need to know about sponsor responsibilities
Sponsors commit to:
- Support your spouse financially for three years
- Make sure they do not rely on social assistance
Even if the relationship ends, this obligation remains.
Avoid these common mistakes
- Evidence of weak relationships
- Consistently providing inaccurate information
- Using fake or altered documents
- Rushing the application
- Refusing to comply with immigration officers’ requests
Preparation and honesty are more important than speed.
Marriage sponsorship can be refused?
Yes. Among the most common reasons are:
- Suspicion of marriage of convenience
- A lack of consistency in responses
- There is insufficient evidence of a relationship
- Inadmissibility due to criminal or medical convictions
There is a great deal of risk reduced by a well-prepared application.
Conclusions
The marriage sponsorship system in Canada is fair, but strict. An approval is very likely if your relationship is genuine and your documents are well organized.
