Maple News reports that Canadian citizens and permanent residents living in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) can sponsor their spouse or common-law partner for permanent residency in Canada, provided they meet eligibility criteria established by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
To be eligible as a sponsor, you must be at least 18 years old, either a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident, and able to financially support your spouse and dependents. Canadian citizens may sponsor from abroad, including from the UAE, but must show plans to return to Canada once the application is approved. Permanent residents, however, must be physically present in Canada to submit a sponsorship application.
Financial eligibility typically means not receiving social assistance for reasons other than disability. Income requirements are generally waived for spousal sponsorships unless your spouse has a dependent child with their own dependent. Acceptable income sources may include employment earnings or government maternity benefits, but not unemployment insurance or training allowances.
Potential sponsors may be deemed ineligible if they are bankrupt (not yet discharged), have failed to repay immigration loans, or were themselves sponsored within the last five years. Also, sponsors must not have sponsored a spouse within three years of a prior sponsorship.
On the sponsored partner’s side, individuals must be over 18 and pass medical, criminal, and background checks. The IRCC will also evaluate whether the relationship is genuine and not primarily for immigration purposes.
Applicants fall into two streams: outland (living outside Canada) and inland (living in Canada). If your spouse is in the UAE during the process, you are considered an outland applicant. Along with proof of your intention to settle in Canada, outland applicants may face longer processing times but enjoy the flexibility to travel. Inland applicants, who apply while both partners are in Canada, may qualify for an open work permit while awaiting approval.
Applicants from the UAE must provide specific documents, including the IMM 5562 travel history form for all family members over age 18, reporting travel outside the UAE over the past 10 years, and the IMM 5546 military service form, if applicable. Divorce documents issued in the UAE must also be submitted in their official, final form.
Once a complete application is submitted to IRCC, the estimated processing time is approximately 12 months but may vary. Applicants will be required to complete biometrics and a medical exam, and may need to attend interviews. You can track your application’s status online. Once approved, the final step is the landing procedure, which officially grants permanent residency to your partner.
Maple News encourages readers to stay updated through IRCC’s official guides and document checklists, as requirements can change. Sponsorship offers a meaningful pathway for couples separated by geography but united by love and commitment.