Croyez Immigration will be your trusted visa consultancy, which breaks down every step involved in the dependent spouse visa for Canada. Our breakdown includes how long it takes, what can be expected and how can we help you get through the process easily.
Understanding the Canada Dependent Visa for Spouse
What is a Canada Dependent Visa for Spouse?
The Canada dependent visa for a spouse is part of the Family sponsorship program offered by IRCC. With this visa, Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor their legally married spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner for PR in Canada. Most of the other Canadian immigration streams are points-based. But the Canada dependent visa for a spouse is not points-based. This program focuses on the legitimacy of the relationship and the ability of the sponsor to support their spouse.Types of Spouse Visas
Spouse Visa to Canada for Permanent Residency (PR)This visa grants PR status to the spouse of the primary applicant. This allows them to live, work, and settle in Canada.
Spouse Visitor Visa Canada
This visa enables short-term visits while the PR application is still being processed. But this visa does not allow the applicant to work. They can just enter the country and stay along with their spouse.
Spouse Work Permit Canada (SOWP)
With the Spousal Open Work Permit or the Spouse Work Permit Canada, spouses of the primary applicant can enter the country and work in Canada. At this time, their PR application will still be in progress.
Why Choose This Visa?
The main purpose of the dependent spouse visa Canada is to unite families and loved ones. This visa enables spouses to live together and work in Canada. This visa also provides stability and opportunity to explore Canada while maintaining legal status.Processing Time for a Canada Dependent Visa for Spouse
Standard Processing TimeThe usual processing time for a dependent spouse visa in Canada is 10 to 12 months. This timeline varies depending on the following factors.
- The workload of the visa office
- The country from which the spouse is making the application
- Inland vs. Outland sponsorship applications
For the processing time to be quick, applicants have to make sure there are no errors in their application. Some of the other factors affecting the processing time are given below.
- The application should be complete. There should not be any missing documents or errors that can lead to delays in processing.
- Country of residence plays an important role. Applications made from certain countries take a longer time for processing. This is due to the additional verification and security checks.
- Processing time extends if additional documents are requested for verification. The IRCC will sometimes question the authenticity of the relationship, and request documents to be submitted.
- The processing time for a spouse visitor visa Canada is approximately 10-27 days
- The processing time for a Spouse work permit Canada differs by the application location and the permit status of the sponsor.
Eligibility and Requirements for a Spouse Visa to Canada
Sponsor RequirementsFor the primary applicant to sponsor their spouse, the following criteria must be met.
- The sponsor should be a PR holder or a Canadian citizen.
- Should be at least 18 years of age
- There should not be any criminal records or bankruptcy cases on the sponsor.
- The primary applicant should demonstrate financial stability.
- Should sign an agreement to support their spouses financially for three years.
To accept the sponsor from the primary applicant, the spouse being sponsored must meet a set of requirements. They are:
- The spouse should be legally married or be under a legally reconciled relationship relationship under Canadian law.
- They must provide proof of relationship. This will include photos, messages, share finances, and many other.
- The spouse should pass medical exams and police clearance. This is mandatory for all the countries they have lived in for more than 6+ months.
There are different sets of eligibility for the applicants under the spousal open work permit. To qualify for SOWP:
- The sponsor must have a valid study or work permit in Canada with a validity of minimum six months.
- They should have applied for PR, and it should be in process.
- Spouses of international students pursuing master’s or Ph.D. programs are also eligible for SOWP.
Application Process for a Dependent Spouse Visa Canada
The step-by-step visa application process for a dependent spouse visa in Canada is given below.Confirm Eligibility
Both the sponsor and the spouse should meet the eligibility criteria that is set by the IRCC
Gather Documents
The documents required should be gathered with accuracy. This will include
- Marriage certificate
- Financial records
- Relationship proofs
- Police clearance and medicals
Once the documents are double-checked, they should be submitted. Filing should be done at the case processing centers.
Pay Fees
The applicant has to check the IRCC website for updates on fee details.
Track Progress
The applicant should then track the progress of their application. They should check the IRCC portal and make prompt responses to any questions.
Spouses who are already in Canada can apply for a spouse work permit. At this point, their PR application should be reviewed. For Spouses applying from outside Canada, they have to show a strong intent to live in Canada once their visa is approved.
Tips for a Successful Application
Some common tips to be followed for the application to be successful are:- Clearly organize the relationship proofs
- Make sure all the documents are complete and accurate.
- Work with expert visa consultants like Croyez Immigration for end-to-end support.
Options While Awaiting Approval
Some of the other pathways or options that can be followed while waiting for the approval are:Spouse Visitor Visa Canada
Spouses can apply for a spouse visitor visa Canada and enter the country while waiting for PR approval. This visa allows them to stay for a short time, but does not allow them to work. Depending on the country of the applicant, the processing time takes 10 to 27days.
Spouse Work Permit Canada
The spouse can work full-time without the need for an LMIA if they are eligible. This permit is often valid for the same duration as the work permit of the sponsor. During the PR waiting period, this will help ease the financial pressure.
Bringing Dependent Children
The Canada dependent visa for a spouse will allow to inclusion of children under 22. On reaching Canada, their children can benefit from public education and healthcare.
Why Choose Croyez Immigration for Your Spouse Visa Application?
Consultants at Croyez Immigration specialize in family immigration and have helped many couples to reunite with their loved ones in Canada. Some of the reasons to choose Croyez immigration are listed here:- We have a team of expert IRCC-registered consultants based in Chennai, Kochi, and many other cities.
- As every case is unique, we offer personalized guidance and provide one-on-one support.
- All our services and pricing are transparent. Real-time updates will be provided throughout the visa journey.
- Many clients have successfully obtained a spouse visa to Canada with our proper assistance.
To get our services, you can contact us at 9996299982 or walk in to our branch office in Chennai for a free consultation.
Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them
Some of the common challenges faced by many applicants and key ideas to overcome them are given below.- A delay in processing is caused by incomplete or unclear documents. To avoid this, get expert help from our consultants at Croyez Immigration.
- Language proficiency can be a barrier in a few cases. The IRCC has now made language proficiency mandatory. So the applicants have to prepare for competitive exams as early as possible.
- Rejection risks are higher if the proofs of relationship and financial stability are not proper. This can be avoided if the documents are prepared with assistance from visa agents at Croyez.