Helping Canadian citizens and permanent residents sponsor their spouses or common-law partners for permanent residency, ensuring smooth processing and addressing potential challenges.
Canadian citizens and permanent residents (PRs) have the right to sponsor their spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner for permanent residency (PR) under Canada’s family sponsorship program. This pathway allows couples to live together in Canada, build a future, and obtain PR status for the sponsored partner.
While the process may seem straightforward, many sponsorship applications face delays, refusals, or requests for additional proof due to concerns about genuine relationships, financial eligibility, or past immigration history. At the Law Office of Tawfic Amandi, we help couples successfully navigate the sponsorship process, address challenges, and ensure strong applications that maximize approval chances.
To be eligible to sponsor a spouse or common-law partner, the sponsor must meet the following conditions:
✔ Be a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident – Sponsors must hold Canadian citizenship or permanent resident (PR) status. Citizens can apply from inside or outside Canada, while PRs must reside in Canada to sponsor their spouse.
✔ Be at Least 18 Years Old – Only adults can act as sponsors.
✔ Prove a Genuine Relationship – Immigration officers closely examine spousal sponsorship applications to detect fraudulent marriages. Couples must submit strong evidence proving their relationship is authentic and not solely for immigration purposes, including:
✔ Financial Ability to Support the Spouse – While there is no minimum income requirement for spousal sponsorship, sponsors must demonstrate they can financially support their spouse for at least three years after PR is granted, ensuring they do not rely on social assistance.
✔ No Criminal Convictions or Immigration Violations – Sponsors must not have serious criminal convictions related to violent offenses, sexual crimes, or domestic abuse. Additionally, they cannot sponsor a spouse if they failed to meet past sponsorship obligations or defaulted on financial support for a previous sponsored individual.
✔ Medical & Criminal Background Checks for the Sponsored Partner – The foreign spouse must undergo medical examinations and security background checks as part of the application process.
✔ Complete Application Preparation: We ensure that all sponsorship forms and supporting documents are accurate, complete, and persuasive, reducing the risk of delays, return requests, or refusals.
✔ Overcoming Previous Refusals or Misrepresentation Issues: If an application was previously denied due to insufficient relationship proof, missing documents, or past misrepresentation concerns, we prepare a strong case to address immigration officers’ concerns.
✔ Spousal Sponsorship Appeals & Reconsiderations: If sponsorship is refused, we assist in filing appeals to the Immigration Appeal Division (IAD) or submitting reconsideration requests to IRCC.
✔ Inland vs. Outland Sponsorship Guidance: We help couples determine whether they should apply via inland sponsorship (if both spouses are in Canada) or outland sponsorship (if the foreign spouse is applying from outside Canada).
✔ Spousal Open Work Permits (SOWP): If applying for inland sponsorship, the foreign spouse may be eligible for a Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP), allowing them to work while waiting for PR approval.
Spousal sponsorship is a life-changing process, and a well-prepared application ensures a smooth and successful outcome. Whether you are just starting your sponsorship journey or facing obstacles, expert legal guidance can make all the difference.
📞 Contact the Law Office of Tawfic Amandi today to begin your spousal sponsorship application.
At Amandi Law , we are dedicated to helping individuals and businesses navigate the complexities of Canadian immigration and family law.
