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Are you interested in sponsoring your Conjugal Partner to Canada? Canadians truly value family life. As such, Canadian immigration has strong intentions to help unite families together. Thus, they have included many means of sponsoring your significant other, including conjugal partners, to Canada. However, as with all immigration matters there is always the priority of keeping Canadian citizens safe. Thus, there is a set procedure you will need to follow when sponsoring your conjugal partner to Canada.
In order to sponsor your conjugal partner, you would be doing so through what is known as the Family Class. This category of sponsorship deals with immigration matters relating to the sponsorship of someone that has a strong familial relationship with you. According to Citizenship and Immigration Canada, a conjugal partner is officially defined as someone that has been in a genuine relationship with you for at least one year. This relationship would require a large amount of attachment between you two, as well as both a physical relationship and a mutually interdependent relationship. However, marriage or cohabitation would not have occurred due to certain barriers. These barriers can include religion or sexual orientation, etc.
In order to sponsor your conjugal partner, you would need to be at least 18 years old. You would also need to be either: a Canadian citizen, a Canadian permanent resident, or a Registered Indian in Canada. In your application, you would also need to provide evidence that you live in Canada or intend to live in Canada after sponsoring your conjugal partner. Furthermore, you would need to sign an undertaking. This undertaking is a contract that states you are responsible for providing financial support for your conjugal partner as well as providing for their basic requirements while they are in Canada. If this partner has any dependent children, you would also be required to do the same for them. Basic requirements include essentials for living such as: food, clothing, personal requirements, shelter, fuel, household supplies, utilities, and health care (though most of health care is free in Canada). The aim of this undertaking is so that Canadian Immigration believes your partner will not be reliant on Canadian social assistance. Note that this undertaking does not change even if you and your partner divorce, separate, move away from each other, gain different Canadian statuses, etc. Once signed, you are responsible for their requirements in Canada. However, there is a specific length of this undertaking for sponsoring a conjugal partner.
In addition to signing the undertaking, you must also include evidence of your financial situation in the application. It is not enough to state that you will provide for the person you are sponsoring; rather, you must also prove that you are able to provide for them. This would require including documents that demonstrate your finances for the past one year.
Your conjugal partner will need to follow the application process. This means completing certain tests and filling out particular documents. For example, there are documents on Citizenship and Immigration Canada such as the Application to Sponsor (IMM 1344) that would need to be filled out by the person to be sponsored. Your conjugal partner would also need to complete certain exams. This includes a medical exam, which must be completed within the 12-month period preceding the date at which you submit your application. They will also need to complete criminal and security checks, provide their passport and necessary travel documents pertaining to their country, and possibly attend an interview with Canadian immigration officers (if requested).
One of the most important aspects in a conjugal sponsorship application is demonstrating the genuineness of the relationship. Essentially, it is important to prove that you are a true couple with a genuine relationship. The Government of Canada especially looks for this to ensure that no fraudulent sponsorship is taking place. In addition, you will also need to demonstrate that you have a relationship with full commitment, similar to a marriage-style relationship. Proof that you have valid reason to be unable to marry or cohabit with this conjugal partner must also be demonstrated in the application. You can do so by providing additional supporting documents that prove the length and genuineness of the relationship. This can include online chats/telephone chats dating back to the beginning of the relationship, travel itineraries, photos, letters from other family members that have witnessed the evolution of your relationship, etc.
There are also other documents and specific forms you will need to include in your application. For a full list, refer to Citizenship and Immigration Canada’s website cic.gc.ca. Importantly, ensure that you include the processing fee. This will need to be paid to the Government, and proof of payment must be included in your application.
After including the necessary documents, you would need to ensure that you mail it to the proper location. For a conjugal partner sponsorship, this would be to the Case Processing Centre in Mississauga. In this center, your application will be reviewed to ensure that all aspects of the application are complete before sending it to an officer to review.
The processing time is dependent on whether your partner lives inside or outside of Canada (as well as which specific country they live in). Refer to the processing times on cic.gc.ca to gain an approximation of how long your application will take.
To ensure your application is processed in a timely fashion, ensure that you have completed all necessary forms legibly (or typed up). Factors that may cause a delay in processing include:
Missing signatures
Missing forms
Missing documentation
Unclear photocopies
Illegible responses
Issues with your or your partner’s criminal record
If you are looking to apply for a conjugal partner sponsorship, you may want to consider obtaining assistance. Sponsorships can be a tedious process and can be difficult for someone with no previous experience. If you are looking for assistance with your application or have any questions, feel free to call Akrami and Associates. Our experienced and dedicated team will be more than happy to assist you with your immigration matter.
With Akrami and Associates, there is always a way!
