Spousal sponsorship

If you are a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident who wants to bring their spouse, common law partner or conjugal partner to Canada. Then this is the visa for you. We have an extensive amount of experience preparing successful spousal visa applications. Regardless of where your partner lives, we can prepare a strong case.

Spousal Visa Requirements:

To be eligible to apply you must be able to prove that you and your partner are in an authentic relationship and belong to one of the following categories:

• Spouse: You are legally married. Marriage should be legally valid in the country where it was solemnized.
• Common-law partner: You currently live with or have lived with your partner for at least 12 months in a marriage-like relationship.
• Conjugal Partner: You have been in a continuous and committed relationship for at least 12 months but have had significant obstacles that have prevented you living together. These can be cultural, religious or immigration barriers.

You must be able to financially support your partner and any children that depend on them. As the sponsor you must sign an undertaking which makes you responsible for ensuring that their basic needs are met. These basic needs can include:

• Housing
• Food and personal hygiene items
• Clothing and other necessities
• Medical care that is not covered under public health insurance.

This undertaking lasts for 3 years from the day that your partner becomes a permanent resident. Your partner can also apply for an open work permit which allows them to work in Canada in case the partner lives in Canada.

Spousal Sponsorship Applications from Pakistan for PR to Canada

A Canadian citizen or a Canadian Permanent Resident can sponsor their Pakistani spouse or common-law partner for permanent residence in Canada. Whether the Pakistani Spouse or Common law lives abroad or lives in Side Canada.

If you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and you are married to someone from Pakistan or have lived together with that person for one year as a common-law partner, you can sponsor him or her for permanent residence (PR) in Canada.

Obtaining PR in Canada will give your spouse from Pakistan the opportunity to live, study, and work in Canada and to access health care and social services.

Getting Married to a Pakistani Citizen

According to the Pakistani law, the Legal Marriage age in Pakistan is 16 years for women and 18 years for men. The marriage can either take place at the district court in the presence of a judge or be conducted by a priest/local maulvi. It is important to note that women will be required to swear through an affidavit that they have no existing marriage. Divorcees or widows/widowers need to attach a divorcee decree or death certificate where applicable. Nikah Nama (marriage certificate) must bear the stamp of the Local Union Council.

If the Pakistani Spouse is a Christian, Ahmadi, Hindu, or Sikh faith, the process is a little different and we can guide you through.

Requirements to Sponsor a Pakistani to Canada

To sponsor someone to Canada, you must:

• Be 18 years and above
• Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
• Live in Canada or prove that you will live in Canada after the application is successful.
• Prove that you can cater to the financial needs of the person you are sponsoring and their dependent children.

You cannot sponsor your Pakistani partner/spouse to Canada if:

• You have sponsored a spouse/partner in the last 3 years.
• You have filed for bankruptcy.
• You have received social assistance in the past.
• You have failed to fulfill immigration-related financial obligations.
• You have a history of conviction for sexual or violent criminal offenses.
• You were a sponsored spouse/partner not less than 5 years ago.
• You are sentenced.
• You are under a removal order.

What to Expect After Sponsoring Someone to Live in Canada

As the sponsor, you will be responsible for the sponsored person's well-being for up to 3 years. Should the sponsored person or their dependent receive social welfare benefits during this time, you will be required to pay back this money. You commit to look after the sponsored person while they settle in Canada. Expect to complete multiple forms that pledge you will take care of the person.

Applications for Spousal Sponsorship Canada May be Denied Due to Several Reasons Including:

• If the relationship is not genuine and only exists to facilitate the sponsor to immigrate to Canada.
• Sponsor fails to meet the financial requirements.
• Required supporting documents have not been included in the application.
• The person being sponsored did not meet the medical requirements or fails security/criminal background checks and is declared inadmissible to Canada.

We can help you sponsor your spouse from Pakistan to Canada

It all sounds complicated, and the process is not easy. It is highly recommended you hire a professional Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant to help you out with gathering all requirement documents, filling out the forms, and guiding you through laws and rules you might be unfamiliar with. The Law Office of Haris Farooq specializes in sponsoring spouses from Pakistan and has helped many become permanent residents in Canada.

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