Spouse Visa

All applications for permanent residence on the basis of a spousal or common-law relationship must be supported by an eligible sponsor. In order to be a sponsor, an individual must be:

👉 aged at least 18

👉 a citizen or permanent resident of Canada, or registered under the Canadian Indian Act

👉 able to provide for their spouse or partner’s ‘basic needs’ i.e. food, shelter, clothing

👉 in receipt of no social assistance, except those related to a disability

👉 willing to sign an ‘undertaking’ committing to financially supporting their spouse and to repaying any provincial social assistance they receive during the first three years of their permanent residence in Canada

Unlike some family sponsorship, sponsoring a spouse or partner does not typically necessitate meeting a minimum income requirement. The exceptions to this are if the sponsor lives in Quebec, which has a province-specific income requirement which must be met, or if the sponsored individual has a dependent child with their own dependent child.

Some individuals may be ineligible to sponsor their spouse or partner for a Canadian visa. You may wish to contact us to discuss your options if any of the following apply to your situation:

👉 you were yourself sponsored by a spouse or partner, and gained permanent residency within the last five years

👉 you are still financially responsible for a previously-sponsored spouse or partner (such a sponsorship will typically have been within the last three years)

👉 you are currently incarcerated

👉 you failed to repay an immigration loan or court-ordered payment (e.g. alimony, child support)

👉 you failed to provide promised financial support to a previously-sponsored visa applicant

👉 you have an undischarged bankruptcy

👉 you have been commited of violent, domestic or certain other crimes against the person in Canada or elsewhere