Move to Canada with Your Family: Spouse Visa

Canada is globally regarded as a family-friendly nation, offering various immigration opportunities for families. Through the Canada Spouse Visa, Canadian citizens and permanent residents over 18 years of age can sponsor their spouse, dependent children, or even parents and grandparents to live in Canada.

What is a Canadian Spouse Visa?

The Canadian Spouse Visa is a pathway that allows Canadian citizens or permanent residents to sponsor their spouse or common-law partner for permanent residency in Canada. One of the notable benefits is that the spousal visa doesn’t require applicants to meet qualifications such as education, language proficiency, or work experience.

This visa falls under the Family Sponsorship Program and offers one of the quickest ways for families to reunite in Canada. However, it’s important to note that fiancés are not eligible under this category, and applicants must prove the legal validity of their marriage.

If you’re considering applying for a spouse visa or exploring other visa options like the Express Entry Program or the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) for Canadian PR, we at Edurange Global Careers can provide you with expert guidance. Permanent residents are allowed to live, work, or study anywhere in Canada for 5 years and can apply for citizenship after 3 years.

Who Can You Sponsor as a Dependent?

Under the spouse visa, you are eligible to sponsor the following family members:

• Spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner

• Dependent children under the age of 21

• Parents or grandparents

• A child you adopted outside Canada while holding Canadian citizenship or PR

• Other close relatives, such as siblings, nieces, nephews, uncles, aunts, or extended family members

Requirements for Becoming a Sponsor

To sponsor your spouse, partner, or dependent child, you must meet the following conditions:

1. Must be 18 years or older.

2. Must be a Canadian Citizen, Permanent Resident, or a registered person in Canada under the Canadian Indian Act.

3. Must demonstrate that you are not receiving social assistance for reasons other than a disability.

4. You are responsible for providing the basic needs of the person you are sponsoring.

Ineligibility for Sponsorship

You are ineligible to sponsor if:

1. You are less than 18 years old.

2. You do not plan to live in Canada when the person being sponsored becomes a permanent resident.

3. You are not a Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident.

4. Your permanent resident application is still in process.

5. You do not have enough financial resources to support the sponsored individual.

In addition, if you were sponsored by a spouse or partner and became a permanent resident less than 5 years ago, or if you are still financially responsible for a previously sponsored spouse, you may also be ineligible to sponsor.

Documents Required for Canada Spouse Visa

To apply for a Spouse Visa from India, the following documents are required:

1. Marriage Certificate proving a valid marriage.

2. Proof of intent to live in Canada once your spouse becomes a permanent resident.

3. Signed agreement confirming mutual obligations between sponsor and sponsored person.

4. Signed undertaking agreement to provide the basic needs of the sponsored spouse.

5. Proof of relationship, such as communication records (letters, emails, phone calls), photos together, and joint agreements (lease agreements, joint bank accounts).

Processing Time for Canada Spouse Visa

The processing time for a Canada Spouse Visa application is typically 8 to 10 months. Once your application is submitted, it will be reviewed by the appropriate visa office for approval.