The spousal sponsorship visa allows a Canadian citizen or permanent resident to bring their spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner into the country and support them in receiving their permanent residence status.

First and foremost, it is essential for clients interested in family reunification to understand the differences between the three types of partners mentioned above:

• Spouse: The married partner of the Canadian citizen or permanent resident sponsoring this visa.
• Common-Law Partner: The partner of the sponsor who has been living together in a conjugal relationship for at least one year.
• Conjugal Partner: The partner of the sponsor who has been in a committed relationship for at least one year but has not lived with the sponsor or married them due to extenuating circumstances.

Family Class (Outland) vs. In Canada Sponsorship Class

When applying for a sponsorship visa, there are two pathways:

Family Class (Outbound)

You can apply using this sponsorship class if:

• Your partner lives outside of Canada.
• Your partner lives with you (their sponsor) in Canada but does not plan on staying in the country for the duration of the visa process.

In Canada Sponsorship Class

You can sponsor your partner with this pathway if:

• Your partner lives with you in Canada.
• You hold a valid immigration status in Canada.
• You would like to request an open work permit during your process.

Your pathway under this sponsorship will change depending on your and your partner’s living situation. To ensure success, submit the relevant paperwork and documents. If you are uncertain about how to approach this visa type, you can consult with our highly trained immigration team.