Spouse Sponsorship Toronto
Spouse Sponsorship Toronto
Toronto, often referred to as the New York City of Canada, is a vibrant and diverse metropolis that stands as the country’s largest city and economic hub. Nestled along the northern shores of Lake Ontario, this dynamic city offers a blend of modernity and tradition, captivating visitors with its rich cultural tapestry, iconic landmarks, and thriving arts scene.
One of Toronto’s most defining features is its incredible diversity. Almost three million people from all corners of the globe have made this city their home. Over 200 distinct ethnic origins are represented in Toronto, and more than 140 languages and dialects are spoken, making it one of the most culturally diverse cities in the world.
For those seeking to unite with their foreign-born spouses in the bustling streets of Toronto, the process of spouse sponsorship in Toronto is a crucial gateway to building a life together in this thriving city.
Eligibility Requirements for Spouse Sponsorship in Toronto
The first task is to check the eligibility criteria for spouse sponsorship in Toronto. When a sponsor wants to bring their spouse to Toronto, they must be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident, be at least 18 years old, and reside in Toronto once their sponsored spouse obtains permanent residency. Additionally, the sponsor must demonstrate financial stability and not rely on social assistance. Permanent residents residing outside Canada are not eligible for spouse sponsorship.
The sponsored individual must also meet specific criteria for spouse sponsorship in Toronto. They should be at least 18 years old and admissible to Canada. Moreover, they must submit all required forms and documents with their spouse sponsorship application and provide any additional information, including medical exams, a police certificate, and biometrics.
According to the spouse sponsorship requirements in Toronto, your marriage must be recognized as a legally valid civil marriage performed either in Canada or in the country where it occurred. Marriages conducted outside Canada through methods like the telephone, internet, or other means where one or both parties are not physically present at the ceremony are not recognized by the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
To qualify for spouse sponsorship in Toronto, you are required to make a commitment known as an undertaking, which involves providing financial support to the spouse for three years. This commitment entails offering financial assistance to your spouse starting from the moment they attain permanent residency and repaying any provincial social assistance that your spouse receives during these three years.
Additionally, both you and your sponsored spouse must adhere to the responsibilities outlined in the sponsorship agreement. It encompasses your obligation to provide for the basic needs of your spouse. Moreover, your spouse ought to make every effort to support themselves.
When applying for spouse sponsorship in Toronto, you need to select the appropriate application class. If the sponsored spouse resides outside Canada or does not stay in Toronto during the spouse sponsorship application process, you should apply under the Family Class. If the sponsored spouse is already in Toronto and possesses a valid temporary resident status, you ought to apply under the Spouse or Common-Law Partner in Canada Class.
Step-by-Step Spouse Sponsorship Guide in Toronto
The online spouse sponsorship application in Toronto process includes five steps. The first step is getting a personalized application package that contains essential forms, instructions, and a checklist.
The second step of the spouse sponsorship process in Toronto entails the gathering of the required documents. To ensure that your application includes all the necessary documents, both applicants should refer to the checklist and prepare documents tailored to their specific situation. Additionally, it is crucial to review any country-specific requirements to guarantee the submission of the correct documents for each item on the checklist. If any documents are not in English or French, you must include a certified copy of the original document, the translation, and an affidavit.
The third step of spouse sponsorship in Toronto involves filling out two distinct applications. Sponsor must complete Application to Sponsor, Sponsorship Agreement and Undertaking [IMM 1344] and Sponsorship Evaluation and Relationship Questionnaire [IMM 5532]. Once these forms are completed and electronically signed, the sponsor should provide them to the sponsored spouse. They will upload them to the spouse sponsorship application package.
Your spouse must apply for permanent residence. They need to either sign in or create an account on the Permanent Residence online application portal. The spouse must complete the Generic Application Form for Canada [IMM 0008], Schedule A – Background/Declaration [IMM 5669], and Additional Family Information [IMM 5406]. If required for a spouse sponsorship application, they ought to fill out Supplementary Information – Your Travels [IMM 5562].
The fourth step of the spouse sponsorship process is to pay the processing fees. It includes a principal applicant processing fee of $490, a sponsorship fee of $75, and a right of permanent residence fee of $515. In total, spouse sponsorship application processing costs $1,080. The spouse who needs to give biometrics ought to pay a biometrics fee of $85.
The last step of the spouse sponsorship application process is the online submission of the application. When the sponsored spouse reviews the declaration for spouse sponsorship, they must provide their signature according to Canadian immigration law. Once the spouse has completed and thoroughly reviewed the application, ensuring all necessary documents mentioned in the checklist are included, they can proceed with the submission of the application for processing.
Processing Time of Spouse Sponsorship in Toronto
During the processing of the spouse sponsorship application in Toronto, the spouse must undergo a medical examination. They also need to provide a valid police certificate for any country other than Canada, where they have lived for six months or more since turning 18 years old. If required, the spouse ought to pay the biometrics processing fee. When they receive a Biometrics Instruction Letter (BIL), they need to provide their fingerprints and photo at the nearest biometrics collection service point in person.
The processing of a spouse sponsorship application in Toronto typically takes 10-13 months. If the immigration officer deems it necessary to obtain additional information or original documents for the spouse sponsorship application, they will reach out to the sponsored spouse.
If you submit the spouse sponsorship application in Toronto under the Family Class, the visa office will process the application, request the passport of the sponsored spouse, and issue a permanent resident visa and Confirmation of Permanent Residence. Following this, the sponsored person must arrive in Canada within the visa’s validity period.
If you submit the spouse sponsorship application under the Spouse or Common-law Partner in Canada class, the immigration officer will review it and send the sponsored person a detailed email containing information about the next steps. The spouse will need to participate in a permanent residence interview, during which the officer will make the final decision on the application.
If applicants fail to meet all the requirements for spouse sponsorship, they will receive an email or letter outlining the reasons for the refusal. If you apply for spouse sponsorship under the Family Class and your application is refused, you have the option to appeal the decision. However, applicants do not have this opportunity if they apply under the Spouse or Common-law Partner in Canada class.
Study and Work Perspectives for Spouse Sponsorship in Toronto
If the individual being sponsored for spouse sponsorship in Toronto under the Spouse or Common-law Partner in Canada class holds a valid study or work permit, they can study or work in Canada while their sponsorship application is under processing.
If the spouse wants to get a study permit, they must meet the requirements set out by the IRCC. These requirements include being accepted into a Designated Learning Institution (DLI), demonstrating that they have sufficient funds to support themselves during their studies, and meeting any other relevant criteria specified by IRCC. They also need to submit an Application to Change Conditions, Extend my stay or Remain in Canada as a Student [IMM 5709]. The processing fee is $150, and the processing time is about five weeks.
If the spouse wants to apply for an open work permit during the spouse sponsorship application processing in Toronto, they must complete and submit the Application to Change Conditions or Extend Your Stay in Canada [IMM 5710]. They need to pay a processing fee of $155 and an additional fee of $100 for the open work permit. The processing time for an open work permit is about five months.
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