Maple News reports that one of Canada’s core immigration goals is family reunification, and this aim is fulfilled significantly through the Spousal, Partner, and Children sponsorship category. Each year, Canada welcomes approximately 80,000 newcomers through this stream, allowing Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their loved ones for permanent residency.
Eligible sponsors must be at least 18 years old, a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident, or recognized as an Indian under the Canadian Indian Act. While citizens abroad can sponsor their partner if they intend to settle in Canada together, permanent residents must be residing in Canada at the time of the application. Sponsors must also demonstrate financial capability and cannot be receiving social assistance (except for those with disabilities).
Applicants can sponsor a spouse (legally married), a common-law partner (cohabitating for at least 12 consecutive months), or a conjugal partner (in a committed relationship for at least one year but unable to live together or marry due to legal, cultural, or religious obstacles, typically while living outside Canada). This inclusivity extends to same-sex relationships, which are fully recognized under Canada’s immigration policies.
Maple News outlines the sponsorship process in four key steps:
1. Confirm that you meet the eligibility standards.
2. Download the complete application package from the official Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website.
3. Pay all necessary fees online, which may include processing, biometrics, and permanent residence costs.
4. Submit both the sponsorship and permanent residence applications together by mailing them to IRCC.
After approval, sponsors assume financial responsibility for their partner for a minimum of three years. Furthermore, the sponsored person will not be eligible to sponsor another partner for five years following their arrival in Canada as a permanent resident.
For those planning to reunite with their spouse or partner in Canada, understanding the process and responsibilities is crucial to a seamless immigration journey. The program not only strengthens family ties but also supports the broader goals of Canada’s inclusive and humanitarian immigration framework.