Will I have issues with sponsoring my fiance due to her age? She'll be 18 at the time of application.

[saauj]

My spouse and I got engaged in our home country of Pakistan when she was 16 and I was 21. We will be getting married at the end of next year (a few months after she turns 18) and I intend on sponsoring her. We have a really great, loving relationship and talk every day. I did wonder though - would her age be seen as a significant risk / problematic by the IRCC? I know the minimum age to sponsor a spouse is 18 in Canada, and normally, marriage can take place as early as 16 in Ontario (and it's the same in Pakistan). I've tried looking around online for others in the same boat, but wasn't quite able to find much information online.

If someone could share some advice, that would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[steaky]

My spouse and I got engaged in our home country of Pakistan when she was 16 and I was 21. We will be getting married at the end of next year (a few months after she turns 18) and I intend on sponsoring her. We have a really great, loving relationship and talk every day. I did wonder though - would her age be seen as a significant risk / problematic by the IRCC? I know the minimum age to sponsor a spouse is 18 in Canada, and normally, marriage can take place as early as 16 in Ontario (and it's the same in Pakistan). I've tried looking around online for others in the same boat, but wasn't quite able to find much information online.

If someone could share some advice, that would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

What's your status in Canada?

 

[saauj]

What's your status in Canada?

I am a Canadian citizen and have been living here for 15 years. Did all my education and work full-time for a company.

 

[canuck78]

My spouse and I got engaged in our home country of Pakistan when she was 16 and I was 21. We will be getting married at the end of next year (a few months after she turns 18) and I intend on sponsoring her. We have a really great, loving relationship and talk every day. I did wonder though - would her age be seen as a significant risk / problematic by the IRCC? I know the minimum age to sponsor a spouse is 18 in Canada, and normally, marriage can take place as early as 16 in Ontario (and it's the same in Pakistan). I've tried looking around online for others in the same boat, but wasn't quite able to find much information online.

If someone could share some advice, that would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Yes it could be and if so she would likely face an interview. Although technically legal getting married or engaged at 16 is very unusual and 5 years is a significant age difference at that age. The power imbalance as a woman with likely having no education after secondary school as well as the lure of immigration for a family can sadly lead to many women having minimal choice when it comes to a marriage. Assume you have minimal in person time and can’t do western style dating. Would encourage you to spend some time together after you get married before returning to Canada.