Bringing Your Loved Ones Home: What You Need to Know About Sponsoring a Spouse or Child to Canada
Sponsoring your spouse, common law partner, conjugal partner, or dependent child to come live with you in Canada is a big step and it comes with important responsibilities. When you decide to sponsor someone, you’re promising to support them financially for a set amount of time. This means making sure they have what they need to live comfortably like food, a place to stay, clothes, and other essentials so they won’t have to rely on social assistance or government help. The Canada family sponsorship program is designed to reunite loved ones and help families build a new life together. It ensures that sponsors take responsibility for their relatives while they settle in Canada.
This promise isn’t just a casual agreement; it’s a formal commitment called an “undertaking” that you sign with the Canadian government. Along with that, there’s a “sponsorship agreement” that both you and the person you’re sponsoring sign, which clearly lays out what each of you is responsible for during this period. Sponsoring family is about more than paperwork it’s about making sure your loved ones have a strong, stable start in their new life here.
What Is an Undertaking Responsibility?
The undertaking period begins when the person you sponsor becomes a permanent resident of Canada. An undertaking is a legal promise you make to the Canadian government, committing to:
The length of your financial responsibility depends on the age of the person you’re sponsoring at the time they become a permanent resident:
Please note that once your sponsored family member becomes a permanent resident, the undertaking period cannot be canceled or shortened. You remain responsible for them for the entire duration, even if your circumstances change
Fill Out the Application Form
If they’re Outside Canada Once the application is approved, IRCC will contact your spouse or children with the next steps. They’ll be asked to submit:
After these documents are reviewed and everything is in order, IRCC will issue:
Once your spouse or children are approved for permanent residence, they’ll receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) this is the official document that confirms their status as new permanent residents of Canada. If they’re from a country that requires a visa to enter Canada, they’ll also be issued a Permanent Resident Visa, which will be stamped in their passport. Both documents are essential for their travel and must be shown when they arrive in Canada.
If they’re already in Canada If your spouse or children are already in Canada on a valid temporary status, the process is different but equally straightforward. IRCC will invite them to confirm their permanent residency through the online Permanent Residence Portal.
Avoid submitting a new profile while your current one is still active. If you want to start over early, be sure to withdraw your existing profile first. You can always reapply to the Express Entry pool by creating a new profile after your original one expires.
In some situations, an in-person interview may be required. If so, your family member will be notified in advance and told exactly what to bring and where to go.
After apporval What You’ll Receive
You can check the different checklists and forms needed to apply correctly for each country on this official Canada website Sponsoring your spouse, partner or dependent child
What Is an Open Work Permit (OWP) for a Spouse or Common Law Partner?
An Open Work Permit (OWP) for a spouse or common law partner is a special permit that lets your partner work in Canada while their application for permanent residence is being processed. Unlike a regular work permit tied to one employer, an OWP gives them the flexibility to work for any employer, anywhere in Canada. This helps your spouse or partner support themselves and your family during the wait, making the transition to life in Canada much easier and less stressful.
To qualify for an OWP, you must:
AOR Letter : This letter indicates that an immigration officer has reviewed your application and confirmed it’s complete. It contains your application number, which starts with an “F.” Please note that your application for permanent residence has been refused, withdrawn, or returned you can’t apply OWP.
Financial Responsibility as a Sponsor
As a sponsor, you are legally obligated to provide for your spouse’s basic needs, This commitment is formalized through a Sponsorship Agreement, which outlines your responsibility to support your spouse for a period of three years from the date they become a permanent resident. This obligation remains in effect even if your relationship ends during this period. This basically including:
Who Needs a Police Certificate?
A Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) is generally required for the principal applicant in a Canadian spousal sponsorship application. This requirement applies to individuals aged 18 or older who are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents. You’ll need to get police certificates for yourself and any family members who are 18 or older.
These certificates should cover any country where you or your family members have lived for six months or more in the last ten years. Don’t worry, though you don’t need to provide certificates for time spent in Canada or for periods before you turned 18. That said, after you apply, the immigration officer might ask for additional police certificates for any time you’ve spent in other countries since you turned 18. So, it’s a good idea to be ready just in case.
How to Get a Police Certificate ?
To get a police certificate, you usually need to contact the police or relevant government authority in the country where you lived. They may ask for personal details like your photo, fingerprints, and past addresses, and you’ll likely need to pay a fee. If the certificate is not in English or French, you must also include a certified translation along with the original document. For specific steps based on your country, refer to the official IRCC website.
If You Can’t Obtain a Police Certificate in Time What will Do?
If you’re unable to get a police certificate in time after being invited to apply, don’t panic. You can still submit your application within the 60 day period. Just include a simple explanation in the police certificate section, especially if the country you’re applying from requires an official request from IRCC. Also, attach any proof that shows you’ve already requested the certificate like a payment receipt, tracking number, or a letter from the authority explaining the delay. As long as you clearly show that you’ve made a genuine effort, the officer reviewing your application will take that into account.