Spousal sponsorship in Canada is a program that offers either one's conjugal partner, spouse, or common-law partner a chance to live in Canada while being sponsored either by a Canadian permanent citizen or resident.

Applying for a permanent residency

Check out the eligibility requirements before applying for a spousal sponsorship residency;

• Apply to become the sponsor
• Your spouse should apply for permanent residence.
• Send out the application forms at similar times.

Applications usually include;

• Your document checklists inclusive of;
  • Sponsor's documents
  • Spouses documents
• Filled out forms of both;
  • Sponsor's particulars and
  • Spouse information
• And the instruction manuals to assist in filling out the required forms.

Your sponsorship applications may be denied when;

• The sponsor is not eligible. This could be in terms of inappropriate age, financial insecurity, etc.
• You are not eligible to be sponsored under the spousal sponsorship program. This can happen if you are guilty of human rights violations, have a terrible criminal record, etc.
• Your sponsor is residing outside of Canada at the time of the application.
• Failure in the interpretation of the application form correctly.
• When you and the sponsor have married for convenience, this marriage is usually viewed as a fraud, which it is.

Eligibility

Both the sponsor and the spouse must be in line with the following requirements;

• They must be legally married, known as spousal or
• Have a common-law partnership, known as continuous cohabitation or
• Have a conjugal partnership where their relationship is dependent on mutual commitments.
• They do not have any blood relationships.
• The person sponsored should have proof of financial responsibility for a partner for a minimum of three years.
• The sponsor should not have a record of any severe offense.
• The one providing financial support must be 18 years and above for spousal marriage, and 16 years and above for conjugal or common-law partnership.

For the sponsor, meet the following requirements;

• Be 18 years and above.
• Have the ability to provide for your spouse or partner and have the proof.
• If you are a permanent Canadian resident, you must be living in Canada.
• You do not have any loan debts (especially government loans)
• You are not declared bankrupt
• You do not have any severe convictions like sexual offenses etc.
• You are a Canadian permanent resident or citizen.

For the one being sponsored, you are eligible when you meet the following requirements;

• You Co-habit or are in a conjugal partnership with the sponsor
• You are in a common-law relationship or spouse to the sponsor
• You have the award of a temporary Canadian residency. (although exemptions might apply in some situations)
• When applying, make sure you are 18 years and above.

You will not be eligible to be sponsored as a Canadian immigrant when;

• You or the sponsor was another person's spouse at the marriage time.
• You have been separated from the sponsor for more than one year, and either one of you has a marital, common-law partnership or are a spouse to another person.
• Either of you were physically absent during your marriage ceremony.

Inland immigration

This program under spousal sponsorship, allows you and your spouse to continue to live in Canada while the permanent residency application is processed (usually by 12 months). If your temporary residency becomes invalid while your permanent residence is being processed, you are free to apply for an extension.
When applying for inland spousal immigration, you are required to meet the following conditions to be eligible to sponsor your spouse;

• Be a Canadian permanent resident or citizen, and reside in Canada.
• Not appear under any removal order.
• Are not declared bankrupt.
• Are not imprisoned or in any form of detention.
• You have not gained any spousal sponsorship for the previous five years while in Canada.
• Be 18 years and above at the time of application.

When the sponsor is living in Quebec, make sure to check out Quebec conditions here.

Outland immigration

Outland immigration under a spousal sponsorship program in Canada allows you to sponsor your common-law partner or spouse regardless of your living location as a permanent Canadian resident or citizen. Outland immigration is most suitable when the sponsor is residing out of Canada for any reason.
During the application processing period, one is free to move as they please, but some laws govern whether the person should or should not re-enter the country once they have left.
When the sponsor resides in the Quebec province, they need to meet the additional Quebec requirements.
The following the eligibility criteria for the outland immigration sponsors;

• Be permanent residents or legal citizens of Canada;
• Be 18 years old and above;
• Be able to provide the basic needs of the spouse;
• Be able to support the spouse financially;
• Be able to ensure that the spouse does not ask the Canadian government for financial aid.

During immigration, remember that you and your spouse fulfill all the requirements needed for a better and easier application process.