Spousal or common-law sponsorship. It can be one of the most difficult tests for a couple to go through. 

You can sponsor your spouse after a legally valid civil marriage. You can sponsor your common-law partner only if that person is living or has lived with you for a minimum of 12 consecutive months in a marriage-like relationship.

However, documentation to prove a genuine relationship in a Canadian spousal or common-law partner sponsorship is very important. A failure can sometimes lead to unwanted situations in a relationship especially if they are not living together and lack understanding of the process. There are about 80,000 spouses and children per year that go through Canadian immigration.

How do you ensure a smooth sponsorship process? What are the biggest things you have to do? 

This is a brief guide to spousal or common-law partner sponsorship in Canada. 

Who Can Use This? 

It is important to note that not every family member is eligible under this stream. When it comes to sponsoring somebody, you can sponsor a spouse or common law who is living with you in Canada under the in-Canada spousal or common-law partner class sponsorship or that is overseas under the family class- spousal sponsorship application.

Canada may be willing to accept a conjugal partner sponsorship or a spouse common-law sponsorship depending on your set of circumstances. 

While a solid partner or spouse is a safe bet, you should keep in mind that any minor children you have with that spouse or their children are also eligible. However, if you want to sponsor other members of the family, you are going to have to find another way to do that. 

What Is This For? 

The goal or objective of sponsorship is for the spouse that is a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident to reunite with this family member. However, the application must pass two tests. The officer has to be convinced that it is a genuine marriage or relationship and that the applicant is not applying to just obtain Permanent Residence status in Canada. 

The Canadian government also wants to see that the Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident that is looking to sponsor a foreign spouse plus any potential children has a stable income to properly take care of these people although the sponsor is exempt from meeting the lowest income cut-off requirements for some basic needs that need to be met with this money are food, clothes, and a roof over their heads. 

Essentially, Canada wants you to see that your family will not be a burden on the government. Considering that the Canadian government has spent $350 billion in years past on corporate welfare alone, you may start to understand their position. 

Make sure you have a stable job to sponsor a spouse and any dependents before you start this process. 

If you are currently in receipt of social assistance other than for reasons of disability is one of the bars to sponsoring a spouse or common-law partner.

How Long Does Sponsorship Last? 

When you are sponsoring you have to sign an undertaking that you will also financially take care of your spouse or common-law partner for three years after that person becomes permanent resident of Canada. This length of undertaking for any accompanying children below 22 years old is for ten years or until age 25, whichever comes first.  

Keep this in mind before you start the process of sponsoring kids over to Canadian soil.  

Get Spousal or Common-law Partner Sponsorship in Canada 

These are the main things that you need to know when it comes to spousal or common-law sponsorship in Canada. You are allowed to apply to sponsor a legally wedded spouse or common-law partner and any dependent children that person has. 

If you have a partner with whom you have been in a genuine mutually interdependent marriage-like relationship for at least 12 months but where could not marry or live-in together with that person has not been possible due to reasons beyond your control, you may apply under the conjugal sponsorship program.

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