If husband and wife has different religion, is this a big issue for IRCC?
Do we have enough for proof for our spousal sponsorship?
- Thread starter OrangeMapleIsHome
- Start date
Having a different religion can be a big issue for IRCC depending on where you are from.
Context is important, but I would say no. Most younger people these days in developed countries don't believe in religion or similar nonsense, so I can't imagine that being a factor.
In my opinion an age difference is not a big concern and may be considered normal.
Though, through my experience I have personally seen a few applying for sponsorship with a ' large ' age difference that even raised my eyebrows
and made me think about how that would work.
They were involved in long term relationships and called in for interviews with lots of proof just prior to covid times.
Both families received email from IRCC shortly after the interview and granted PR.
Context is important.
Most ' younger ' people these days like to play computer games, eat potato chips, and hang out at the mall when they have nothing better to do.
Don't ask them about covid.... They think it's just an old persons disease.
Yes, almost certainly not an issue for applicants from eg most of North America/Europe.
But a large proportion of immigrants to Canada are from parts of the world where religion - or arguably cultural aspects (intertwined with religion). And particularly from countries where arranged marriages are common.
And I may be wrong, but I think in most cultures a mixed-religion arranged marriage is unthinkable.
Anyway, for those from cultures where interfaith marriages are rare (or worse, forbidden):
-I think the main if not only thing IRCC is interested in is if the marriage is genuine. So they'll want to see more evidence of the relationship - "more" in comparison to marriages within the religious tradition, because (perforce) the traditional rites and customs of that culture/religion's marriages are not available. (And unfortunately for many, also presence of family members, etc).
-One key warning: there is a serious and strong historical prohibition on 'secret' marriages in Western/common law tradition (and I presume in some other cultures, too). Secret marriages are basically not considered (legally) valid.
This is (one part of) why IRCC asks for evidence of the couple being "public", whether at a wedding or elsewhere. I'm sure that IRCC officers will attempt to be understanding where being 'public' is actually dangerous (in some countries for interfaith couples, in many, for same sex couples). But the couple will still need to show evidence that their relationship is real. So to the degree possible (and safe), it is important to show evidence of being 'public', even if the circle of friends/acquaintances/family etc is to a much more limited public. (Put differently, if you can only be a couple in front of your close circle of friends, that's a LOT better than nothing).
If the PA or sponsor do not have any religion believes, then they won't even need to mention that as a factor in their applications.
I am brought up in mixed religion background and I am not religious, same as my husband.
It is important for many cultrues and countries as they lifes are greatly affected by their religions. As other have posted, many forbid mix religion marraige.
And if it's an arranged marriage, that's very unusual.