Canadian spousal sponsorship under the Family Class Sponsorship requires IRCC to verify the authenticity of relationships.
Family reunification is one of the major strengths of Canadian immigration, according to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Canadian spousal sponsorship – IRCC’s process of verifying relationships
IRCC conducts these evaluations because it is possible for a foreign national to pursue an unreliable connection with a Canadian citizen or permanent resident in an effort to get Canadian permanent resident status. This is even while the sponsor is aware that they are in a sincere and committed marriage or partnership. Furthermore, they must promise to support their partner financially for three years after they get permanent resident status. Regardless of whether the relationship ends, sponsors may find this emotionally and financially challenging.
Attempts to fake a relationship and engage in a business-like arrangement with a foreign person by Canadians or permanent residents are also possible.
- The foreign national will not qualify for sponsorship if an officer is not convinced that there is a true relationship.
- The government requests paperwork from all couples, including same-sex couples, that demonstrates the validity of their relationship. The documentation requirement will depend on whether the pair is legally married or common-law in Canada.
Several types of formal papers are mandatory for a married pair, including: - A returned copy of the application package’s IMM 5532 relationship information and sponsorship.
- Evaluation questionnaire.
- A marriage license.
- Evidence of the marriage registration with a government agency (local, provincial, national, or international).
- If the applicant or spouse were involved in marriage previously, evidence of the divorce is a must.
Couples of the same gender whose union has not been recognized by the nation of the foreign national must apply as a common-law partnership. You may apply as a conjugal partner if a couple has been unable to cohabitate because they couldn’t obtain long-stay visas.
Common-law partner
An unmarried couple who has lived jointly in a conjugal partnership for a minimum of twelve months is a common-law relationship in Canada. They must provide precisely the same paperwork as married couples. This excludes the wedding photographs and invitations. Additionally, they must provide official proof of shared expenses and financial support between the sponsor and the principal applicant. It also includes additional evidence, like the confirmation by friends and family regarding the relationship. The proof could be in the form of letters from friends/family or social media data demonstrating a public relationship.
Additionally, a sponsor and principal applicant must provide documents from at least two of the following sets. This applies to married and common-law couples.
- Evidence of shared ownership of residential property or real estate.
- The rental agreement displays the sponsor and the primary applicant as residents of the rental home.
- Evidence of shared credit card accounts, joint bank accounts, or common utility accounts (electricity, gas, telephone, and internet).
- Auto insurance demonstrates that the chief applicant and sponsor have both identified themselves to the insurance provider as inhabitants of the insured’s address.
- Copies of official documents (such as driver’s licenses) issued by the government showing the principal applicant’s and sponsor’s addresses.
- Regardless of whether the accounts are joint or separate, they must submit additional documents to the chief applicant and sponsor that reflect the same address. These include cell phone bills, pay stubs, tax forms, bank or credit card statements, and insurance policies.
Couples must submit a thorough written justification if they are unable to furnish at least two of these papers.
Conjugal Partners
To demonstrate that they have been living together as conjugal partners in Canada, a couple must submit:
- Letters, published text messages, emails, talks on social media, or other documentation attesting to their communication as examples of evidence. This should not exceed ten pages.
- Flight tickets, boarding cards, and passport photocopies with stamps are evident proof that a Canadian citizen or permanent resident has visited their spouse. If no visits occurred, the sponsored person must explain Part C, Question 4 of the IMM 5532 questionnaire.
