Sponsor spouse outside of Canada

[batPin34]

Hello,

As a Canadian citizen I am currently living abroad and would like to bring my spouse (who is not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident) outside of Canada for 3-4 years. They are currently on a work permit, but they would give up their status to live abroad, then we would head back into Canada permanently. What is the process like for me to sponsor my spouse back into Canada? Since I wouldn't have a job in Canada and currently no income is coming in, would I need a formal job offer to do so when I plan to go back? What are the steps exactly? Also, how long would the whole process take approximately?

Thanks.

 

[armoured]

Hello,

As a Canadian citizen I am currently living abroad and would like to bring my spouse (who is not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident) outside of Canada for 3-4 years. They are currently on a work permit, but they would give up their status to live abroad, then we would head back into Canada permanently. What is the process like for me to sponsor my spouse back into Canada? Since I wouldn't have a job in Canada and currently no income is coming in, would I need a formal job offer to do so when I plan to go back? What are the steps exactly? Also, how long would the whole process take approximately?

Thanks.

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/family-sponsorship/spouse-partner-children.html

Look at the family sponsorship sub-forum here also.

Short form: as a citizen, you can sponsor from abroad. You'd need to demonstrate your intent to return to Canada and how you and your spouse would support yourselves. This does not require a formal job offer or other specific financial criteria, but will have to be credible.

Most of the time this type of sponsorship takes about 12 months (currently anyway). So plan ahead.

 

[batPin34]

Thank you for the helpful information and the link.

I have a few follow-up questions:

1. Without a job offer or T4 to show, how can I credibly demonstrate that I will be looking for work upon my return to Canada? Would a written explanation of my intent to seek employment be sufficient, or is there anything else I could provide to strengthen my case? What proof do they look for?
2. I couldn't find any specific financial criteria listed – is there a minimum income threshold or amount I need to meet to sponsor my spouse? Since there is no income in Canada at the time of applying 12 months before going back for example.
3. Initially, we would live with my parents when we return to Canada, and they would provide housing and financial support for us until we arrange work for ourselves. Would this arrangement be acceptable to demonstrate financial stability during the sponsorship process?
4. If my spouse and I need to extend our stay abroad for some months, how does that affect the application process?

 

[armoured]

1. People show job searches, credentials, and other supporting evidence.
2. As I wrote above, no specific financial criteria.
3. It's helpful; I can't say whether sufficient.
4. Basically not an issue if we're talking about months or less than a year. Typically when approved they issue the visa/landing docs, valid for some months (usually linked to one year from the date the PR medical is done, so figure up to about 10-14 months after application).

But if that's not enough time, the principal applicant (your spouse) can travel to Canada, complete the formalities (become a PR), and leave and come back later. The downside is that this uses up some time in the residency obligation - but since that is 730 days in five years, it's sufficient time IF you return to Canada within a reasonable time. [The problems that arise in these cases are when the couple get PR status too early or delay returning for several years and then run into issues.]

For the 'intent to return' aspects - it comes up often enough in the family sposnorship forum. It's not particularly onerous but must be taken seriously.

My suggestion, honestly, would be to revisit and do research beginning about two years before you intend to return, and peek into the forum/the issue from time to time in the interim. There will likely be some changes in the intervening time period.

Of course, I can't guarantee that it won't change significantly, esp with changes in government. That said, the spousal sponsorship programs overall are probably the safest, although the details may be tightened.