Processing times on average are between 8 to 12 months, depending on the visa office responsible for processing the application. Some larger visa offices such as the USA can process applications as fast as 4 to 6 months.
All applications for both Inland and Outland Sponsorship are submitted to CPC-M in Mississauga. Once an application is deemed to be complete with all required forms and documents, and the sponsor is eligible, the application is forwarded for further processing. Incomplete applications are returned 3 months later.
There are two types of applications for Spouse and Common-Law Sponsorship:
Outland Spousal Sponsorship
Your application will be processed through the visa office in the sponsored spouse's country of citizenship or where they legally reside (if outside Canada). If you and your Spouse/Common-law partner live together in Canada, you can still apply under this category. Applying under this category will make you eligible to Appeal a refusal. You will not have rights to appeal for an Inland Spousal Application.
Inland Spousal Sponsorship
Please note that your application will be processed in the country and both you and your sponsor need to live together. The individual being sponsored need to have temporary status in the country as a student, visitor or worker. Additionally, the individual being sponsored might be eligible for an Open Work Permit (OWP).
You can sponsor the following persons and their dependent children (21 or younger) for Canadian Permanent Residence:
- Spouse – husband, wife, partner- marriage have to be legally recognized
- Common-law Partner – individual you are living with but not married to
- Conjugal Partner – in case your partner does not qualify under the Spouse or Common-Law category however you are in a committed relationship equal to that of a marriage for a minimum of 1 year. There has to be extenuating situations why you are not able to live together. Job location, studying abroad, inability to get visa to Canada are NOT sufficiently good reasons.
Canada recognizes same-sex marriages and partners and are qualified to apply under these 3 categories:
Spouses who have a Criminal Record or Criminal Charge
Read more here on Criminal Inadmissibility.
Spouses with a 5 year ban from Canada due to Misrepresentation
Read more here on Misrepresentation Inadmissibility
To be Eligible to be a Sponsor
- You have to be a Canadian Citizen, or Permanent Resident (living in the country);
- You have to be 18 years of age or older;
- You cannot be in prison, bankrupt, under a removal order (if a PR), or charged with a serious offence; and,
- Within the last 5 years, you cannot have been sponsored to Canada as a spouse yourself.
To be Eligible to be Sponsored by a Sponsor
- You have to be 18 years of age (at least)
- You cannot be related by blood to the Sponsor too closely
Please keep in mind that requirements that have to be met in order to qualify for Sponsorship under the 3 categories, are:
- Your relationship is genuine meaning it was not entered into mainly with the intention of obtaining Permanent Residence; and,
- In case your spouse or common-law partner is applying in the Spouse or Common-law Partner "In the country class", the individual needs to live with you (i.e. cohabit) in the country.
After sponsorship
- For 3 years after the sponsored person becomes a PR, the sponsor is financially responsible for that person.
- For 5 years after acquiring Canadian permanent residence, individuals who come to Canada as spouses are themselves unable to sponsor a spouse.