Spouse Or Common-Law Partner

Spousal Sponsorship: Bring Your Loved One to Canada

Spousal sponsorship stands as a pivotal component of Canada’s commendable immigration framework. As a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, you possess the privilege to pave the way for your spouse or partner to attain the coveted Canadian permanent resident status. Adhering to its commitment to family reunification, the Canadian authorities endeavor to render decisions on these applications within a span of 12 months.

Understanding Spousal Sponsorship

Canada extends the opportunity for its citizens and permanent residents in a relationship with a foreign individual to ensure they can settle in Canada permanently. This pertains to spouses, common-law partners, and conjugal partners. Two prominent pathways are available for aspirants: Outland sponsorship and Inland sponsorship.

Outland Sponsorship

Typically, Outland sponsorship applications are the preferred route when the person being sponsored resides overseas while the Canadian sponsor is in Canada. Those sponsored under this category, hailing from visa-exempt countries or possessing the required Canadian visa, may have the flexibility to travel in and out of Canada during the application’s processing. However, the Canadian sponsor should predominantly stay within the country’s borders during this period. These applications are overseen by the visa office that caters to the sponsored person’s native country or where they have legally dwelled for a minimum of one year.

Inland Sponsorship

For this category, both partners must cohabitate in Canada, with the foreign spouse or partner having temporary Canadian status, be it as a worker, student, or visitor. Both parties are obligated to remain together in Canada for the entirety of the application’s processing. These applications are processed domestically within Canada.

Beneficially, foreign spouses already in Canada under legitimate temporary status can pursue an Open Work Permit (OWP) as their Inland sponsorship application undergoes processing. This not only grants them the liberty to work for any Canadian employer but also mitigates the potential financial strain arising from prolonged processing durations.

The Current Landscape: COVID-19 & Spousal Sponsorship

Despite the global upheavals caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) remains unwavering in its dedication to processing spousal sponsorship applications. If your dream is to sponsor your significant other, be it your wife, husband, or partner, rest assured, Canada welcomes your initiative. Even as the pandemic presents certain challenges, the IRCC prioritizes the swift processing of these applications during these trying times.

Canada's Annual Target for Spousal Sponsorship

Canada’s ambitious Immigration Levels Plan envisions the nation greeting over 400,000 fresh faces every year. While a substantial 60% of these are envisioned as economic class skilled professionals, the next in line are the family class immigrants. Notably, Canada aspires to roll out a warm welcome to approximately 80,000 individuals every year under its Spouses, Partners, and Children category.

Conclusion

With a clear focus on uniting families and fortifying the nation’s fabric, Canada’s spousal sponsorship program offers a beacon of hope to countless couples across the globe. Embracing the essence of inclusivity and compassion, this program is a testament to Canada’s unwavering commitment to its residents and their loved ones.