Immigration News

Canada's Spousal Sponsorship is back to 12-Month Processing Standard

Rajneesh Kumar
28 March, 2022

According to a media release by the Canadian government, Canada's spousal sponsorship program is back on its 12-month processing standard. Additionally, Immigration, Refugee, Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has launched a portal to help applicants track their spousal sponsorship applications online.

As per the IRCC, the 12 month processing time will be the same for spouses applying as inland or outland applicants. The overall processing time will include biometrics, as well.

About Canada's Spousal Sponsorship Program

Canada's spousal sponsorship allows a Canadian citizen or PR visa holder to sponsor their spouse or common-law to apply for Canada permanent residence visa.

To be eligible to sponsor spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner, a person must be:

A Canadian citizen or permanent resident
Age at least 18 years
Be living in Canada or planning to return once their spouse or partner becomes a Canadian permanent resident
Be capable and willing to support the sponsored spouse or partner financially for at least three years

To be eligible to be sponsored, a person must meet the following requirement:

For spouse: Must be married to the sponsor legally at an in-person ceremony.
For common-law partner: Must have lived with the sponsor for one year straight.
For conjugal partner: Must have been in a conjugal relationship with the sponsor for a minimum of one year, living outside of Canada, and can't live with the sponsor in their country or marry them because of legal or immigration causes.
Must age 18 years or above to be sponsored.
Must pass Canada's health, criminality and security screening to be considered admissible.

To check if you are eligible to be sponsored as a spouse or partner, fill out our free assessment form today. One of our representatives will call you shortly to discuss the best Canadian immigration options.