Spouse Visa Canada Consultant
Expert Advisor for Canadian Spouse Visa Processes
Canadian citizens and permanent residents who satisfy certain criteria can sponsor an eligible spouse, partner or other family members for a Permanent Resident Visa to Canada through the Family Sponsorship Program.
When an immigrant applies to become a Canadian permanent resident, his or her spouse or partner and dependent children will normally be included in the application so that the whole family can immigrate to Canada together.
There are situations, however, in which a citizen or permanent resident of Canada will marry a person or become a partner with someone who is not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident (for example, a temporary foreign worker or international student living in Canada).
In these types of situations, a Canadian citizen or permanent resident can apply to sponsor his or her spouse or partner for permanent residency in Canada.
This article will discuss how to apply for a spouse visa to Canada, so keep reading to learn more!
Table of Contents
What is a spouse visa?
A Canadian citizen or permanent resident who meets certain criteria can sponsor an eligible spouse or partner (opposite sex or same sex) for a Permanent Resident Visa to Canada through the Family Sponsorship Program.
Canadian permanent residents can receive many benefits such as:
- Live in Canada for an unlimited amount of time
- Work in Canada legally
- Study at Canadian educational institutions
- Receive public healthcare in Canada
- Travel to and from Canada according to the regulations
- Opportunities to buy a home and start a business in Canada
- Equality and freedom in a peaceful country
- Option to become a Canadian citizen after living in Canada for 3 yearsfvi
How to apply for a spouse visa for Canada
- The Canadian citizen or permanent resident must apply online to become a sponsor.
- The application package forms can be downloaded as PDFs, completed and signed digitally.
- The spouse or partner who is being sponsored will apply online for Canadian permanent residency.
- The forms completed earlier in the process will be uploaded to the Canadian permanent residency application.
- Copies of all supporting documents must be uploaded to the online application.
- Government fees need to be paid.
- Biometrics data (photo and fingerprints) must be provided by the spouse or partner who is being sponsored.
Requirements for a spouse visa for Canada
The sponsor must generally be:
- A Canadian citizen or permanent resident
- At least 18 years of age
- Married legally to a non-Canadian spouse OR living with a non-Canadian partner continuously for 12 months
- Able to financially support his or her spouse or partner while they are living in Canada
The spouse must generally be:
- Married legally to a Canadian citizen or permanent resident (opposite sex or same sex)
- At least 18 years of age
- Able to meet the good health and good character criteria
The partner must generally be:
- Living with a Canadian citizen or permanent resident continuously for 12 months
- At least 18 years of age
- Able to meet the good health and good character criteria
Please note that this is an overview of the key requirements for a spouse visa for Canada and other criteria may need to be satisfied.
Benefits of hiring a spouse visa consultant
If you choose to hire an authorized paid representative to help you apply for Canadian permanent residency through the Family Sponsorship Program, he or she should be one of the following:
- Immigration Consultant who is a member of the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC) in good standing
- Lawyer or paralegal who is a member of a provincial or territorial law society in Canada in good standing
- Notary who is a member of the Chambre des notaires due Québec in good standing
How to choose a spouse visa consultant for Canada
The CBSA officer may ask you if you traveled to Canada in the past and for what purpose.
You may also be asked if you were required to depart Canada (for example, if you overstayed your Canadian visa and/or were deported).
Cost of hiring a spouse visa consultant
It can generally cost around $3,000 to $6,000 Canadian Dollars (CAD) to hire a spouse visa consultant.
Processing time for a spouse visa application
The processing time for a spouse visa application for Canadian permanent residency can take around 12-18 months.
How can I speed up my spouse visa?
- Complete and file all of the required forms correctly and truthfully
- Promptly provide all of the information that the Canadian immigration agency requests
- Provide English or French translations that are certified for any required documents not originally in English or French
- Make sure that copies of all documents provided are clear and easy to read
- Update the Canadian immigration agency if your contact details, family status or other details change
Common challenges in obtaining a spouse visa for Canada
Obtaining a spouse visa for Canada can be delayed, hindered or denied if:
- Forms were not complete or were filled out incorrectly
- All of the required supporting documents were not provided
- The sponsor does not have sufficient financial resources
- The sponsor receives social assistance (except for a disability)
- The sponsor will not be living in Canada when the spouse/partner becomes a Canadian permanent resident
- The spouse or partner who is being sponsored has a criminal record
- The spouse or partner who is being sponsored is medically inadmissible
What to expect after obtaining a spouse visa for Canada
A sponsored spouse or partner who is not living in Canada will receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residency (COPR) and Canadian Permanent Resident Visa in his or her passport (if required) and must immigrate to Canada while the COPR is still valid.
If the sponsored spouse of partner is already legally living in Canada, he or she will receive a letter to schedule an appointment with the Canadian immigration agency in order to receive the Confirmation of Permanent Residency (COPR).
The new Canadian permanent resident will need to pay a $50 CAD governmental fee to receive the plastic Permanent Resident Card, which he or she will carry long-term as official identification and proof of authorization to live, study and work in Canada long-term.
Other immigration options for spouses of Canadian citizens or permanent residents
The spouse or partner of a citizen or permanent resident of Canada may have other Canadian immigration options if they satisfy the eligibility requirements for an “economic” immigration program such as the:
- Canadian Experience Class Program
- Federal Skilled Worker Program
- Federal Skilled Trades Program
- Provincial Nominee Program
Discover Frequently Asked Questions from Our Support
Is it easy to get a spouse visa in Canada?
It is relatively easy for a spouse or partner of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident to become a permanent resident of Canada through Family Sponsorship, particularly if he or she is already legally living in Canada (for example, as a temporary foreign worker or international student). The entire process usually takes around 12-18 months to complete and generally involves the Canadian citizen or permanent resident applying online to become a sponsor and the sponsored spouse or partner applying online for Canadian permanent residency. All of the supporting documents and governmental fees must be provided.
What is the success rate for a spouse visa in Canada?
According to the Canadian immigration agency, there was an approval rate of 92% overall for Family Sponsorship applications in 2021 (this included approvals for spouses, partners, dependent children, etc.).
How much is the average time it takes for approval of a spousal visa application in Canada?
It generally takes about 12-18 months for approval of a spousal application for Canadian permanent residency through the Family Sponsorship Program. In general, the processing time is longer if the sponsored spouse or partner is not living in Canada compared with if they are already legally living in Canada (for example, as a temporary foreign worker or international student).
What is the fastest way to bring my spouse to Canada?
The fastest way to bring your spouse or partner to Canada is as part of your Canadian immigration application (if applying for permanent residency), so that the whole family will immigrate to Canada together. If a citizen or permanent resident of Canada is single and then is legally married to or becomes a partner with a non-Canadian, then the Family Sponsorship Program may be the fastest pathway. Alternatively, a non-Canadian spouse or partner not living in Canada might apply for Canadian immigration as an “economic immigrant” through Express Entry or the specific Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) for where they will be living in Canada. Another option, albeit expensive, could be for the non-Canadian spouse or partner to move to Canada as an international student and later apply for permanent residency through Family Sponsorship or, perhaps, the Canadian Experience Class Program.
Can my spouse come to Canada while waiting for approval?
It is possible for a spouse or partner who has applied for Canadian permanent residency through the Family Sponsorship Program to come to Canada while waiting for approval of the application. This could be done by applying for a Visitor Visa to Canada; however, the final decision on approving entry and how long the spouse or partner can stay in Canada will be determined by the CBSA officer at the airport or other port of entry. Keep in mind that the Canadian immigration agency will need to know where to send the Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) if the spouse or partner is approved, so proper arrangements should be made to avoid unnecessary delays.
