The basic requirement for the process of sponsoring your spouse/common-law partner is to make sure that you both are eligible.
To be eligible, the sponsor should be of at least 18 years, a resident of Canada, and should be economically stable. They should have finance/income to support their family as well as their partner/spouse.
Canadian citizens have the option to finance their spouses while living outside the country. However, for permanent residents, it is mandatory for them to be in the country while sponsoring their spouses.
If the sponsor lives in Quebec, they will have to satisfy the conditions of the province as well. The official website of the province will give you all the details about their requirement for sponsoring.
The sponsor should not be getting social assistance (allowed only in case of disability). However, if they are getting paternal/maternity or sickness assistance, they may still be eligible to become a sponsor. Federal training allowances can not be deemed eligible revenue sources. Employment insurance also falls into the same category.
In the majority of the scenarios, the minimum cutoff for income is not there. This is applicable when you are financing your spouse/partner and children. Some specific instances may invite the scenario where you will have to meet the cutoff. That is defined/updated by the country every year. This is usually applicable when the spouse getting sponsored has a dependable child who also has a dependable child.
Factors that may make you ineligible
Specific instances can make you ineligible to become a sponsor. Apart from violent crime, usual non-criminal activities can also lead to ineligibility. If you – fail to pay your immigration loan, are under bankruptcy, or have sponsored a spouse within 36 months of the application – you may lose your eligibility to become a sponsor.
Furthermore, if an individual was a sponsored spouse/partner who came to Canada and became a resident, cannot sponsor somebody else for the next five years.
After you have determined your eligibility, now it’s the turn of your benefitting partner/spouse.
Checking the eligibility of the spouse
The age limit remains the same as the sponsor’s; the add-ons are background, security, and medical checks. They need to clear all three for eligibility.
The federal immigration department will check and cross-verify all the details before admitting your spouse to Canada. Folks who have criminal records in their past may not be admitted. However, there are some options open for them to opt for.
The officials at the immigration office will also determine the authenticity of the relationship. They need sufficient proof to show that you are actually in a relationship and it is not just a contract helping the other person in entering the country.
Outland and Inland relationship difference
If your partner/spouse is residing outside the country, then it will be considered an Outland relationship. You may also live in the UAE during the process; however, you will have to show that as soon as the application is processed, you both will move to Canada.
While you both are living in Canada, your application will be processed under the Inland relationship category. Your partner/spouse may also apply for an Open work permit during the process.
Documents required from the UAE
The federal immigration department updates the guidelines for this regularly. The docs needed to depend on the residency status of the sponsored person and the location they are applying from. The department may also ask for their travel history. There is an updated application guide available from the department, which has specific updates about documents.
Additionally, the immigration department also provides a checklist for all the docs needed and other requirements. The checklist also is updated regularly, so before submitting your application, please recheck.
At the time this article is being written, the UAE applicants need forms for military service and travel history.
The travel history form is termed IMM 5562. It is required to fill by everyone present on the application, including the dependent child (if any over the age of 18). It would be best if you mentioned all the trips that you have taken outside the UAE in the past ten years.
The military service form is for anyone who has served in the military, army, or police. It is termed the IMM 5546. And if anyone is filling out the form, so they need to submit their military card/booklet along with the blank pages.
Furthermore, if the applicant was ever divorced in the UAE so they may need to submit an additional document.
The “Final irrevocable divorce” or “Final divorce judgment” document is required in such cases.
Process after submitting the documents
As soon as you submit all the documents, the process begins. If the officials find your application incomplete, it will be sent back for fulfillment.
The immigration department has a 12-month window to close the application for spousal sponsorships. However, it may take more than 12 months sometime. That depends and varies according to the case.
During the process, the officer will demand a medical exam and biometrics for your spouse living abroad. They provide 30 days to submit this. Also, they may ask for an in-person interview at any point.
Unless a decision has been taken, you can update your details online. The immigration headquarters will dispatch instructions for further procedures for your spouse.
The last action is to conclude the landing process. Your spouse/partner will get permanent resident status in Canada then.
