Can I Bring my Spouse/Partner to Canada Permanently?
There are several ways to answer this question depending on your unique family situation.
The short answer – if you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident you can sponsor your husband, wife, partner, and children to come to Canada to become Canadian permanent residents. If you are a worker or student in Canada, you may be able to bring your spouse and children as visitors, workers or students as well.
Canada recognizes all types of marital situations which include, traditional marriage, live-in common law relationships, same sex relationships and even conjugal relationships where other descriptions don’t fit. However, don’t confuse this Canadian openness to the type of partner relationships as making your application easy.
There are many complicating factors that would need to be considered when sponsoring your partner to come to Canada. A few examples could include: how long you have been in the relationship/married. How did you meet originally? Are there any children who were born overseas or are there any step-children? What if your spouse is still legally married to another person? What if your spouse has broken the law and has a criminal record? You can see how quickly things can get complicated.
Where you hoping to come to Canada together and right away? Or, do you want to stay overseas until everything is sorted out? There are ways to sponsor your spouse with either of those options and each has its’ own pros and cons. If you and your spouse come to Canada first with your family, you may be eligible to apply for an open work permit for your spouse so that both of you can work while you are waiting for approval.
I remember well when I sponsored my spouse and brought him home to Canada. It’s a process most couples are not at all prepared for. This is an extremely emotional process for people to go through, there could be long periods of separation; there could be travel visa issues, people are often separated by arbitrary borders - sometimes for years. There are tremendous financial stressors because they may be maintaining two homes and regular traveling is not always possible between countries.
I’ve sponsored a spouse; I understand first hand the frustration that often accompanies the process from a personal level. As an immigration specialist and as your immigration consultant, it is my job to focus on your application from a clinical perspective. I analyze your situation to know which areas of the law need to be applied. I know the information that the government is looking for. But I also see the human life behind the immigration process. I understand the need to connect with another human during a somewhat cold and clinical process, to know that someone genuinely cares about what you are dealing with.
Sponsoring your spouse and family to immigrate to Canada can be complex and each family situation is unique. I prefer to be there at the beginning of the process with my clients. I understand that this is more than filling out forms, we are a team, we strategize and plan the path together.
If you’re seeking an immigration consultant who will provide this level of guidance and professionalism, I would be happy to meet with you to understand your immigration goals and see how you might start your Canadian Immigration journey. Let me help you build your life in Canada. Contact me and learn more through my website at www.ldpimmigration.ca
