So, if you’re thinking about marrying a Canadian and moving there to Canada, it’s like starting a new chapter in your life. First things first, your spouse needs to be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident to be able to move there easily. Also, it is possible to secure your accommodation in Canada before relocating. In this article, we will be showing you how to get married to Canadian citizen and secure accommodation before relocating.
Before you can relocate to Canada through marriage to a Canadian citizen, you must be sponsored. The process of getting sponsored by a citizen or permanent resident is called Spousal Sponsorship.
Canada Spousal Sponsorship
If you’re married to a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and you’re a foreigner, you can apply for a Spouse Visa, which is like a golden ticket to live in Canada permanently. This visa allows you to work and enjoy all the perks of being a resident. Your Canadian spouse needs to sponsor you for this, and it doesn’t matter if you’re already in Canada or another country when you apply. It’s a way for the Canadian government to keep families together and make sure everyone’s got a fair shot at a good life in the country. In terms of fees for sponsoring your spouse, conjugal partner, or common-law partner in Canada, here’s the breakdown:
– Sponsorship fee: $75
– Principal applicant processing fee: $490
– Right of permanent residence fee: $515
– Biometrics: $85
So, the total comes to $1165. If your spouse, conjugal partner, or common-law partner has dependent children, you’ll need to pay an extra $150 for each child included in the application.
For sponsors in Quebec or those planning to live there after getting permanent residence, there’s an additional fee of CAD 310, on top of the fees mentioned earlier. It’s essential to keep these costs in mind when going through the sponsorship process.
Eligibility Criteria
A. Who can become a Sponsor?
1. Age Requirement: You need to be at least 18 years old.
2. Citizenship or Residency: You must be a Canadian citizen, registered under the Canadian Indian Act, or a permanent resident living in Canada. If you’re a Canadian citizen outside Canada, you need to plan on living in Canada once your sponsored relative becomes a permanent resident. Permanent residents living outside Canada can’t be sponsors.
3. Financial Independence: You shouldn’t be relying on social assistance (excluding disability reasons).
4. Financial Capability: You must be able to cover the basic needs of yourself, your spouse or partner, their dependent child(ren), if any, and your dependent child(ren) if you’re sponsoring only your own child. Usually, there’s no specific income requirement, but if there are dependent children with their own dependent children or if the dependent child you’re sponsoring has a dependent child, then a minimum income requirement comes into play. Remember, the goal is to ensure that sponsors can financially support their family members without depending on social assistance.
B. Who Cannot Become a Sponsor?
You might not be allowed to sponsor:
1. If you’re currently sponsoring a spouse or partner, but you signed an undertaking for a different person within the last three years.
2. If you sponsored someone before and they got social assistance during that time, you need to pay it back before you can sponsor again.
3. If you owe money on an immigration loan or a performance bond, you might not be eligible to sponsor.
4. If you haven’t paid the court-ordered alimony or child support, it could affect your eligibility to sponsor.
5. If you declared bankruptcy and it hasn’t been sorted out, you may not qualify to be a sponsor.
6. If you were convicted of certain serious crimes like sexual offenses, violent crimes, or harming a relative, your eligibility depends on factors like the nature of the offense, how long ago it happened, and if you got a pardon.
7. If you’re sponsoring a spouse or partner and you were sponsored as one less than five years ago, you might not be eligible.
8. If there’s a removal order against you, it could affect your ability to be a sponsor.
9. Being in jail, prison, or a similar facility might disqualify you from sponsoring.
10. If you’ve already applied to sponsor your current spouse or partner and haven’t heard back, there are restrictions on applying again.
Additionally, if you sponsored family members before who got social assistance, you need to repay it before sponsoring again. Defaulting on loans or missing payments for different fees can also affect your eligibility. If you gave a performance bond, you have to pay it off before you can sponsor. If you were sponsored as a spouse or partner, there’s a five-year waiting period before you can sponsor a new spouse or partner. And if you were convicted of a violent crime causing harm to certain relatives, there are restrictions on sponsoring family members. The exact rules depend on when your sponsorship application was received.
C. Who Can Be Sponsored?
If you’re a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident, you can sponsor your spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner, or dependent child to come live with you in Canada. But here’s the catch: you need to show that you plan to live in Canada when your sponsored family member becomes a permanent resident. Also, if you’re a permanent resident living outside of Canada, you can’t sponsor someone from another country – you need to be in Canada to do that. It’s all about making sure families stay together in Canada.
Documents Required for Canada Spousal Visa Sponsorship
When applying to sponsor a spouse, you’ll typically need various documents and proofs, including:
1. Completed application forms.
2. Proof of status in Canada.
3. Identity documents.
4. Marriage certificate.
5. Police certificates and clearances from all countries your spouse lived in for six months or longer past the age of 18.
6. Medical certificate for your spouse.
7. Proof of payment for applicable government fees.
8. Passport photo.
9. Relationship Information and Sponsorship Evaluation Questionnaire.
10. Additional documents like wedding invitations, photos, birth certificates or adoption records for children, and proof of marriage registration with a government authority.
To demonstrate your relationship, provide at least two of the following documents:
– Proof of joint property ownership.
– Shared bank accounts.
– Utility bills with both names.
– Copies of government-issued IDs.
– Car insurance.
– Pay slips or tax forms showing the same address.
For conjugal relationships, evidence should include shared residence, economic support (joint financial arrangements, shared bank accounts, etc.), and recognition of your relationship by friends and family. Immigration officers look for proof of significant emotional and interpersonal ties indicating a serious, committed relationship for the long term. If specific documents are challenging to provide, exploring creative ways to show the relationship, such as letters from family or friends, may be helpful. Ultimately, the visa officer’s decision regarding common-law documents is discretionary, but providing sufficient proof enhances the chances of acceptance.
Canada Spousal Visa Sponsorship Application Guide
There are two ways to apply for a spouse visa in Canada: The Outland application and the Inland application.
1. Outland Application:
If you’re currently in Nigeria or any other country, or even in Canada, your Canadian partner will sponsor you through the Outland application. This route is suitable if you’re in Canada but need to leave and re-enter frequently due to work. It’s the only option for conjugal partners, but it takes longer than the Inland route. Your partner applies to sponsor you, and you apply for permanent residency. However, you can’t apply for residency until your partner’s sponsorship is approved. Your application goes to the Canadian visa embassy in Nigeria or the country where you’ve legally stayed for at least a year.
2. Inland Application:
If you’re already in Canada on a study, work, or tourist visa, you can go for the Inland application. Both your partner’s sponsorship and your permanent residence applications go to IRCC. You and your partner must have lived together in Canada for at least a year for eligibility. The Inland route has advantages like a shorter processing time and the ability to stay in Canada during the process. You can even apply for a work permit while waiting, but leaving Canada during this time is a no-go, as your residence status becomes uncertain, preventing re-entry.
How to Secure your Accommodation in Canada before Relocating
Securing accommodation is a top priority for newcomers in Canada. Depending on your situation, you might prefer to start with temporary housing while actively searching for a more permanent residence, such as apartments or houses for rent.However, before you land in Canada, it’s important to have a place lined up for your first few days or weeks. You can find plenty of hostels and hotels in cities, but it’s smart to book ahead to have more options. If you’re watching your budget, check out Hostelworld for some affordable short-term stays.Another good idea is to book a place where you can cook for yourself – maybe for a few weeks or even a month or two. Airbnb is a big name for this, but there are also companies that rent out temporary apartments, and they can be great for newcomers in Canada. Renting an apartment for the long term before you actually arrive in Canada isn’t a good idea and isn’t recommended. Unless you happen to trust the landlord completely and are willing to take the risk without personally verifying that the place is real, be cautious of potential scams. It’s safer and more sensible to arrange for temporary accommodation first and then look for a permanent place once you’re physically in Canada.
Where Do you Look for Apartments before Relocating?
Before relocating to Canada, especially if you want to secure temporary accommodation, you can consider the following:
1. Online Rental Platforms: Websites like Airbnb, Booking.com, etc. offer short-term rental options. You can find a place to stay for your first few days or weeks.
2. Extended Stay Hotels: Some hotels specialize in extended stays, providing a comfortable and temporary solution. Examples include Residence Inn etc.
3. Hostels: If you’re on a budget and looking for a temporary place, hostels can be an affordable option. Hostelworld is a popular platform for booking hostels.
4. Vacation Rentals: Explore vacation rental websites such as Vrbo, HomeAway, or FlipKey. These platforms often have short-term rental options.
5. Corporate Housing: Some companies offer furnished apartments for short-term stays, and these can be found through websites like CorporateHousing.com.
6. Local Hotels: Traditional hotels can also serve as temporary accommodation, especially if you’re looking for a place to stay while you explore more permanent housing options.
When you’re looking to rent an apartment, landlords will likely ask for some information to make sure you can afford to pay rent. They might want things like:
1. Pay slips or any document showing your income.
2. Bank statements to prove you have enough money for the first few months of rent.
3. A letter from your previous landlord saying you’re a good tenant who pays rent on time.
NOTE:
If you don’t have a credit history or haven’t started working yet, some landlords might be hesitant to rent to you. But don’t worry, keep searching until you find a landlord who understands. Just be ready to show you have enough money in your bank account, or you could offer to pay the first few months upfront. Apartments usually become available on the 1st of the month (sometimes on the 15th). Plan to arrive about two weeks before the end of the month so you can explore and find the perfect place for you.
Conclusion
If you’re planning to marry a Canadian and secure accommodation before moving, you must apply for a spousal visa to be able to immigrate to Canada. When you want to secure accommodation before relocating, it is advisable to look for temporary apartments. Start by looking for temporary housing options online, like Airbnb or extended stay hotels, to make your initial transition smoother. Additionally, be prepared to provide documents showing your financial stability when renting. Explore neighborhoods and consider arriving a bit earlier to find the right place for you.