Canada offers a variety of immigration programs that allow Canadians to sponsor their family members for permanent residency. These programs aim to facilitate the process of bringing spouses, partners, and immediate family members to Canada, with reduced processing times. The Canadian government recognizes the importance of family and ensures that family members are not put on hold during the immigration process.
Who can you sponsor? You may be eligible to sponsor your spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner for Canadian permanent residence, whether they are currently living in Canada with a valid temporary visa or residing abroad. If your partner is living in Canada, they may also qualify for an open work permit, which can alleviate some financial burdens for the couple.
A spousal open work permit allows the sponsored individual to work in Canada while their sponsorship application is being processed. It is important to note that Canada recognizes common-law partnerships, so even if you are not married, you may still be eligible to apply for spousal sponsorship if you and your partner have been living together for at least one year.
Approximately 80 percent of immigrants under the family sponsorship program are welcomed through the spouses, partners, and children program. The remaining 20 percent come through the parents and grandparents’ program. The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is responsible for establishing and administering Canada’s family sponsorship program. This includes setting program criteria, reviewing family sponsorship applications, and issuing permanent and temporary resident visas.