Alps Immigration Services

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  • alpsimmigrationservices@gmail.com
  • 445 Rue Jean-Talon O, Montréal, QC H3N 1R1, Suite: 204
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Spousal Sponsorship

Through the Spouse Sponsorship program, Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor their spouses or common-law partners for permanent residency in Canada. This program allows the sponsored individuals to join their partners in Canada, live, work, and build their permanent life together. The Spouse Sponsorship ensures that families are reunited and can begin their new chapter in Canada as permanent residents. For assistance with the application process, AKPS Immigration can guide you through every step.

Eligible Relationships

To immigrate to Canada, the following relationships with a citizen or permanent resident are equivalent: spouse, common-law partner (12 months), and conjugal partner (long-term committed relationship despite living apart).

  • Spouse: Legally married with recognized validity, irrespective of previous locations or multiple marriages in other jurisdictions.
  • Common-Law Partner: Cohabitation in a conjugal relationship for at least one year, including shared finances and responsibilities.
  • Conjugal Partner: Eligible if prevented by law or other factors from spouse/common-law partner categories. Not for unwilling separations or concurrent partnerships.

Eligibility Requirements:

  • The sponsor must prove Canadian citizenship or permanent residency.
  • Willingness to initiate the sponsorship application for the partner is necessary.
  • Both sponsor and partner must be at least 18 years old during application (except in cases where local laws permit minors to marry).
  • Partners must fall within family categories: spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner.
  • Financial capability to support both parties is crucial, backed by a Sponsorship Agreement ensuring financial aid for three years after permanent residency approval.

You Will Not Eligible If

  • Receiving social assistance unrelated to disability.
  • If sponsored within the last five years, you must wait for your five-year anniversary of becoming a permanent resident to sponsor a new partner.
  • Within three years of sponsoring a previous spouse’s permanent residency.
  • Past failure to fulfill a Sponsorship Agreement.
  • Violation of court orders for alimony or child support.
  • Prior marriage at the time of application, even if plural marriage isn’t illegal where the marriage occurred.
  • Convictions of violent or sexual crimes, or even attempts.
  • Defaulting on immigration loan payments.
  • Incarceration or Canada Removal Order.
  • Recent bankruptcy, unless fully discharged before application.

Financial Responsibilities:

Sponsors must sign a three-year Sponsorship Agreement, committing to financially support their partner, even in the case of separation. While minimum income requirements typically don’t apply, certain cases may require proof of sufficient resources to meet the needs of both families. If the partner has dependent children, additional financial support must be demonstrated.

There are Two Types of Applications for Spouse & Common-Law Sponsorship

  • Outland Spousal Sponsorship: This application is processed through the visa office in the sponsored spouse’s country of citizenship or legal residence (if outside Canada). If you and your spouse or common-law partner live together in Canada, you can still apply under this category. Applying under Outland sponsorship also grants the right to appeal a refusal, unlike Inland Spousal Applications, which do not provide an appeal option.
  • Inland Spousal Sponsorship (Spouse or Common-Law In-Canada category): The application is processed within Canada, and both the sponsor and the person being sponsored must live together. The sponsored individual must have temporary status in Canada as a worker, student, or visitor. Additionally, the sponsored person may be eligible for an Open Work Permit while the application is being processed.

There are Two Types of Applications for Spouse & Common-Law Sponsorship

  • Spouse (husband, wife, partner): Marriage must be legally recognized, regardless of location or previous marriages.
  • Common-law Partner: A person you are living with in a conjugal relationship but are not married to, typically for at least one year.
  • Conjugal Partner (if your partner does not qualify under the Spouse or Common-Law category but you are in a committed relationship equal to that of a marriage for at least 1 year. There must be extenuating circumstances why you cannot live together- job location, studying abroad, inability to obtain visa to Canada are NOT good enough reasons)