Are you a Canadian citizen or permanent resident wanting to reunite with your loved ones in Canada? The Family Sponsorship program provides a pathway for you to sponsor your family members and bring them to join you in Canada.

In this guide, we will walk you through the process of sponsoring your family to Canada.

The following list of steps provides a general overview of a spousal sponsorship application process.

STEP 1: DETERMINE THE ELIGIBILITY OF THE SPONSOR

You can sponsor your spouse, partner, or dependent child if:

1. You are at least 18 years old.

2. You are a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident of Canada, or a person registered in Canada as an Indian under the Canadian Indian Act.

3. If you are a Canadian citizen living outside Canada, you must plan to live in Canada when the people you want to sponsor become permanent residents.

4. You cannot sponsor someone if you are a permanent resident living outside Canada.

5. You can prove that you are not receiving social assistance for reasons other than a disability.

6. You can take care of the basic needs of anyone you want to sponsor.

There are certain situations where you CANNOT be eligible to sponsor your spouse. This includes:

1. You may not be eligible to sponsor your spouse, or partner if you were sponsored by a spouse or partner and you became a permanent resident less than 5 years ago.

2. You are in jail, prison, or a penitentiary.

3. You declared bankruptcy and haven’t been cleared of it.

4. You have a removal order against you.

5. You receive social assistance for a reason other than disability.

STEP 2: DETERMINE THE ELIGIBILITY OF THE APPLICANT

If you want to bring your spouse to Canada, they need to be legally married to you and at least 18 years old. Make sure your marriage is valid under Canadian law and the law of the place where you got married if it’s outside Canada. Your spouse must fill out all the necessary forms and provide the required documents with their application. They might also need to do medical exams and biometrics during the processing stage.

STEP 3: GATHERING THE REQUIRED AND SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS

When applying, you’ll need specific documents depending on where you’re from and your situation. This includes identity documents like passports and birth certificates, as well as proof of a genuine relationship, like communication records, financial support evidence, and public recognition. Make sure to check if there are extra documents needed based on your country. Failing to do so could lead to your application being sent back, causing more delays.

STEP 4: COMPLETING THE SPOUSAL SPONSORSHIP FORMS

You need to complete the online forms for permanent residence using the Permanent Residence Online Application Portal Account. It’s a good idea to get help from an immigration consultant who can be your representative. They can assist you in filling out the digital forms through the Representative Permanent Residence Portal Account and go over the information with you.

It is important to note that the number of required forms will vary depending on the Applicant’s country of origin.

STEP 5: SUBMITTING THE APPLICATION

Before you submit your application, make sure you have:

1. Answered all questions;

2. Electronically sign your application (type your full name exactly as shown on your passport);

3. Included your processing fee receipts;

4. Upload all the supporting documents.

If your application is incomplete, IRCC will return the application and you’ll have to fix any errors and then re-submit it.

STEP 6: RECEIVING FURTHER REQUESTS FROM IRCC

If IRCC begins processing your application, they will:

1. Send an application number and acknowledgment of receipt (the acknowledgment of receipt is now sent shortly after you submit your online application);

2. Assess the sponsor’s eligibility;

3. Assess the Applicant’s eligibility for permanent residence.

While your application is being reviewed, IRCC (Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada) might ask you to do medical exams and provide your biometrics. They could also ask for more information or extra documents.

Sometimes, both the person applying and the person sponsoring may need to go for an interview with an officer.

You can keep an eye on your application by updating your address or other details if needed. If necessary, you can also change or add a representative.

STEP 7: PREPARING FOR ARRIVAL

When your sponsored family members arrive at the port of entry to Canada, they must show the border services officer their:

1. Confirmation of Permanent or Temporary Residence;

2. Valid passport or travel document;

3. Permanent or Temporary Resident Visa (if issued one), which must be valid;

4. Quebec Selection Certificate, if they’re going to live in Quebec;

5. Any other document IRCC issued to them and told them to bring.

If your family members are already in Canada, they’ll have to meet an immigration officer to receive their permanent or temporary residence.

Conclusion

The spousal sponsorship application process can be an overwhelming and tedious task. If the sponsorship process is not followed through correctly, it can cause inconvenient delays or it may increase the chances of the sponsorship application being rejected.

To learn more about the Canada Spousal Sponsorship or to speak with our experts kindly click on the link below to book a free inquiry call.
https://kishaimmigrationconsulting.zohobookings.com/#/customer/bookaninquirycall

You can visit our website for more information https://kishaimmigration.com/canada-spousal-sponsorship/?utm_source=Nairaland&utm_campaign=+A+Comprehensive+Guide+to+Canadas+Spousal+Sponsorship+Program

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