Under its new 2021-2023 Immigration Levels Plan, Canada will aim to welcome around 80,000 immigrants per year under its Spouses, Partners and Children immigration category.
Most of the immigrants who arrive under this category are the wives, husbands, and partners of the Canadians who sponsor them.
Canadian citizens and permanent residents are eligible to sponsor their spouses and partners to immigrate to Canada and gain permanent residence.
Canada currently has coronavirus travel restrictions in place. However, spouses and partners are exempt from the travel restrictions. Moreover, Canada is seeking to process as many spousal immigration applications as possible during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Eligibility criteria to sponsor
In order to be eligible to sponsor your wife, husband, or partner, you need to meet the following criteria:
- be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident living in Canada. If you are a Canadian citizen living abroad, you need to demonstrate to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) your intention to return to Canada with your spouse or partner
- show IRCC you can meet the basic financial needs of your partner
- show IRCC you are in a genuine relationship with your partner
You can sponsor your spouse if you are legally married, common-law partner if you have lived together for at least 12 months, or your conjugal partner who you have been in a relationship with for at least 12 months. Canada recognizes same-sex relationships and enables same-sex spousal sponsorship for immigration purposes. Your spouse or partner must also be at least 18 years old.
How to sponsor your wife, husband, or partner
Step 1: Make sure you and your partner meet the eligibility criteria.
Step 2: Go on IRCC's website and download the two applications required (sponsorship application and permanent residence application).
Step 3: Pay the application fees on IRCC's website.
Step 4: Mail both applications to IRCC.
IRCC aims to make decisions on spousal sponsorship applications within 12 months.