Your relatives can live, study and work in Canada if they become permanent residents of Canada. You can sponsor certain relatives to come to Canada if you’re at least 18 years old and a:
- Canadian citizen or
- person registered in Canada as an Indian under the Canadian Indian Act or
- permanent resident of Canada
For instance, Canada grants permanent residents emigrating to join a spouse / partner through the Canada spouse visa category.
There are different rules depending on whether the Sponsor is a Canadian permanent resident or Canadian citizen and whether they are currently residing inside or outside Canada.
Changes were recently made to help reduce processing times for both in-Canada and overseas applicants.
These changes include the following:
- One application package for all spousal sponsorship applicants: All applicants, both in Canada and overseas, can now use the same application package and checklists.
- New basic guide: Applicants can prepare their application using a shorter, more basic guide.
- Personalized document checklist: Applicants can use one of four checklists (based on who is being sponsored) to find out which forms and documents they need to submit.
- Simplified relationship questionnaire: The new questionnaire is easier to understand and has fewer questions.
- Medical exam: Applicants no longer need to submit medical exams up front with an application. Instructions will be sent to the applicant when a medical exam is needed.
- Police certificates: Applicants need to provide only the police certificates from:
- the country where they currently live; and
- the country where they have spent most of their adult life since the age of 18 (if different from the country where they live).
Other police certificates maybe be requested only if needed.
- The person being sponsored can access more information through their online account: They can
- get instructions on documents needed;
- see real-time information about their application status;
- receive messages from in their online account.
If you would like our help, we can assess your qualifications for Spousal Sponsorship. Just message us here and we will get back to you shortly with our assessment.