How to Get the Canada Spouse Visa?
There is nothing that places the charm and serene mental effect of the families living together. Canada is a warm and welcoming country thus it has always placed high importance on families living together in harmony. Therefore there are attractive programs such as Canada Spouse visa which helps the foreign nationals to get their loved ones in Canada.
Canada Spousal visa gives Canadian citizen or permanent resident the right to sponsor their partner in Canada and live with them permanently. It is very important for the families to be together in Canada as mental health has significant effect on personal and professional life of an individual. The word partner has a broad meaning in Canada and it can include common-law partner, live-in partners or conjugal partner
All these terms have distinct eligibility criteria and documentation requirements. The relationship is thoroughly scrutinized before any decision is reached and one has gained a comprehensive insight the nature of relationship that the applicants hold.
Let us now compare the two distinct time of sponsorships through which you can get your partner in Canada –
Table to compare Family Class Sponsorship and Spousal Sponsorship Program for Canada
| Aspect | Family Class (Outland) Sponsorship Class | In Canada Sponsorship Class (Inland) |
| Eligibility | Spouse/common-law partner lives outside of Canada | Spouse/common-law partner lives in Canada with the sponsor |
| Residence Requirement | Not required; applicant can live outside of Canada | Applicant must have valid immigration status (or be out of status under special public policy) |
| Work Permit | No open work permit during the application process | Applicant can apply for an open work permit while the application is processed |
| Temporary Visa | Applicant can apply for a temporary visa to visit Canada | Not applicable |
| Travel Restrictions | Applicant can travel freely while the application is processed | Applicant should avoid traveling outside of Canada during the application process |
| Processing Time | May take longer compared to inland applications | May take shorter time, but depends on individual circumstances |
| Application Flexibility | Can live apart during processing (but may apply for temporary visa) | Applicant must stay in Canada throughout the process |
| Application Risk | Risk of separation from spouse due to geographical distance | Travel restrictions may cause complications for those needing to leave Canada |
Check Your Eligibility
What is the eligibility requirement for the Canada Spouse Visa?
If you wish to get selected via the Canada Dependent Visa – Spousal sponsorship visa successfully then the applicant is expected to meet the following requirements -
- You and your spouse must be legally married for at least a year, and one of you should be either a Canadian citizen or a resident of Canada or have a work visa for Canada.
- Both the applicants should be atleast 18 years old to apply for a spouse visa in Canada.
- You and your spouse must not be involved in any criminal cases.
- You need to be have a good moral ground and the sponsored spouse must not be a threat to Canadian security.
- You should have a clean past record that needs to be free of any immigration violations.
- You and your spouse must undergo the specified medical tests and meet the criteria for medical well-being.
What is the process to get the Canada Spouse Visa in 2024?
If you wish to get a spouse visa for Canada from India then there is a line of action and both the sponsor (the Canadian citizen or permanent resident) and the sponsored (the spouse from India) must follow a structured process.
Here's a step-by-step guide to get the visa from Canada government -
Step 1: Check if you are meeting the eligibility criteria.
Before proceeding forward one needs to check that both parties meet the eligibility criteria set by Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The marriage must be legally recognized and the sponsor should be able to financially support the spouse.
Step 2: Sponsor's application.
The Canadian partner must apply to become a sponsor through the IRCC’s official website. This involves filling out forms and offering supporting documentation, and paying the necessary fees.
Step 3: Gather the application package.
The sponsored spouse from India needs to compile an application package, which includes application forms, supporting documents (such as proof of relationship, financial support, and legal marriage), medical examination results, biometrics, and photographs. The application fee must also be paid at this stage.
Step 4: Submit the application.
Once the package is complete, the sponsored spouse submits it to the appropriate consulate or visa processing center along with the required fee.
Step 5: Await visa approval.
The IRCC may request an additional interview or further documentation. Once the visa is approved, the spouse will receive a Port of Entry (POE) letter. With this, they can move to Canada, where they may also apply for a work permit if desired.
These steps will help you meet the requirements for the Canada Spouse visa.
What are the Documents Required for Spouse visa Canada?
The documents required for the Canada Spouse Visa are -
- The travel history
- Valid original passport
- Your original documents of education
- Date of birth
- Residential address
- Proof of income of the sponsor that meets the eligibility criteria
- Legal documents asserting marriage such as marriage certificate or any of the two documents - Proof that you and your spouse own property together, Shared bank accounts, Utility bills with both of your names, Copies of government- issued IDs, Car insurance, Pay stubs or tax forms that show that you live at the same address
- Complete application package
- Visa application fee
In case of a common-law relationship the evidence required are -
- Relationship Information and Sponsorship Evaluation questionnaire
- Birth certificates or adoption records for any children you and your common-law partner have together
- Photos of you and your common-law partner that prove your relationship
- Proof that you have lived together for at least one year
And at least two of the following documents:
- Documents which prove that you view as each other as common-law partner, such as employment or insurance benefits
- Financial support proof or shared expenses between you and your partner
- Proof that your relationship between family and friends (letters, emails, social media)
For a Canada Dependent Visa for Spouse there is no mandatory requirement but it is recommended that you have international travel insurance for yourself and your spouse. There is no free medical coverage for the foreign tourists.
What is the Fees and Canada Spouse Processing time in 2024?
If you wish to Sponsor a spouse then the partner form if for CAD 1,205, or a child the amount is CAD 170. The average processing time for a Spouse or conjugal Partner living inside Canada but outside the Quebec region is 13 months. In another case for the spouse or Conjugal partner living outside Canada the time frame is 10 months.
Canada Spouse New rules 2024
IRCC’s latest changes to Canada’s international student program were introduced On March 19, 2024, and these changes were in the spousal open work permits. The partners and spouses will be eligible for SOWP if they have a master’s or doctoral degree. Those people who have been applied to be sponsored by their partner in Canada on a study or work permit can get a spousal open work permit
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