Spousal Sponsorship

The Spousal Sponsorship program allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their spouse or common-law partner for PR in Canada. This program aims to keep families together by facilitating immigration for spouses and partners under two main categories:

Inland Sponsorship

For spouses and partners already in Canada.

Outland Sponsorship

For spouses and partners outside Canada, processed through the visa office responsible for their country of residence.

To qualify as a sponsor, you must:

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
• Not be receiving social assistance (other than for disability).
• Be financially able to support your spouse or partner.

The sponsored spouse or partner must:

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Not be inadmissible to Canada.
• Be in a genuine relationship with the sponsor and not be in a relationship solely for immigration purposes.

Sponsors must sign an undertaking committing to provide financial support for their spouse or partner for a period of three years, regardless of changes in the relationship. Additionally, a sponsorship agreement outlines the sponsor's responsibility to support their partner's basic needs and the partner's commitment to make efforts toward self-sufficiency.

1. 01Submit Sponsorship and PR Applications Together — The sponsor and applicant must submit their applications and supporting documents together, whether applying inland or outland.
2. 02Provide Proof of Relationship — Evidence such as marriage certificates, shared financial accounts, and photos may be required to demonstrate the genuineness of the relationship.
3. 03Medical and Security Checks — The sponsored spouse/partner will undergo medical and criminal background checks as part of the application.

Inland applicants may be eligible for an Open Work Permit, allowing them to work while waiting for their application to be processed. Outland applications are typically processed faster, especially for applicants from visa-exempt countries.

Lev Law offers personalized legal support throughout the spousal sponsorship process. From assessing eligibility and preparing the application to compiling strong evidence of your relationship and addressing complications, we ensure your application is complete, accurate, and well-supported.