On this page, these are about 26 Questions to ask your local Travel Agent Before Applying for Visa to Canada, USA, Australia, Netherlands. However, for the purpose of this article, we will use Canada Visa as a case study.
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Frequently Asked Questions for Canada Visa
1. Who can be included in the sponsored person’s application for a Canada immigration visa?
This question is very crucial. Why? Its simply because your sponsor in a travel application is very important to the consular. Therefore, under family sponsorship programs, the following individuals can be included in the sponsored person’s application for a Canada immigration visa:
- Spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner of the sponsored person
- Secondly, the dependent children of the sponsored person
- Thirdly, the dependent children of the sponsored person’s spouse, common-law partner or conjugal partner
- The dependent children of the sponsored person’s dependent children
- Lastly, the dependent children of the sponsored person’s spouse, common-law partner or conjugal partner’s children.
2. As an Travel Applicant, How much money do I need to sponsor a family member in Canada?
To be sincere, the income you get from your job/business usually vary depending on the type of sponsorship you undertake. Secondly, the number of family members you already have in your care is also a criteria. In addition, you will be required to specifically sign a promise to provide for the basic needs of the family member you are sponsoring.
Furthermore, there are some sponsorship options that will also require you to demonstrate that you have some money. The explanation is that you will have a minimum income in order to be eligible to sponsor. This particular requirement for instance works for the case of a Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship Program.
Going forward, you must exceed the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) requirement set by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). This is for each of the past 3 taxation years before the date that you submit your application. Bear in mind that your MNI is assessed based on your Canada Revenue Agency Notice of Assessment. Know this now for better opportunity.
Do not forget that all Sponsors living in the province of Quebec must meet different income requirements. This is very important for the application process to pull through.
3. As a Sponsor in a travel application, What does “basic needs” mean?
When applying a a sponsor, you have to undertake to provide the sponsored family members with the following:
- First of all, everyday food, clothing, shelter, as well as other necessities of life
- The second one is the dental & eye care and other health needs that are not currently covered by public health services. This is available to all Canadian citizens and permanent residents.
More importantly, the obligation to provide for the basic needs of the sponsored person(s) will only arise in some cases. this happens if the sponsored person(s) cannot to provide for these needs on their own.
4. Can the undertaking to provide “Essential Needs” be shared?
The answer is YES. The undertaking to provide “Essential Needs” can be shared by a co-signer. However, this can only be by the sponsor’s spouse, conjugal partner or common-law partner.
5. As a sponsor, what are my “obligations”?
Being a sponsor is so cool. But you & your co-signer, if applicable, are required to sign an undertaking with the Government of Canada. Furthermore, if you are a resident in Quebec with the government of that province, you can promise to provide for the basic needs of the sponsored person(s). This can be for a short period following the arrival of the sponsored person(s) in Canada.
What is the main purpose of this agreement? It simply to make sure that all sponsored family members do not become dependent on Canadian social assistance or welfare entirely.
6. For how long time am I financially responsible for the family member I sponsor?
This question is simple and comes with a clear explanation. That is to say that the period during which you will be financially responsible for the person you are sponsoring begins on the day they become a permanent resident. On the other hand, this varies depending on the type of family member in the table below:
| Sponsored person | Length of undertaking (excluding Quebec) |
|---|---|
| Spouse, common-law partner or conjugal partner | 3 years |
| Dependent child | 10 years, or until age 25, whichever comes first |
| Dependent child 22 years of age or older | 3 years |
| Parent or grandparent | 20 years |
| Other relative | 10 years |
Bear in mind that for Quebec residents, the length of the undertaking also depends on the family member you are sponsoring. Generally, in the case of children, their age is for the following:
| Sponsored person | Length of undertaking |
|---|---|
| Souse, common-law partner or conjugal partner | 3 years |
| Dependent child under 16 years of age | Minimum 10 years (or until age 18), whichever is longer |
| Dependent child 16 years of age and older | Minimum 3 years (or until age 25), whichever is longer |
| For other relatives inclusive | 10 years |
7. Can the undertaking be revoked or modified?
The undertaking, once written and signed, cannot be cancelled or modified by the sponsor at any time. Non of this can happen even after the Sponsored family members have arrived in Canada.
8. What happens if the sponsor does not fulfil the terms of the undertaking for residency?
You have to be careful because this is very strict. Any failure to meet any of the commitments provided for in the undertaking may result in legal action being taken against the sponsor and the co-signer by the government.
9. What happens if the sponsor does not have the requisite financial ability?
In any case where the sponsor does not have the required financial ability, a family member can help. Thatr is to say; the spouse, common-law partner or conjugal partner of the sponsor may act as a co-signer to the undertaking. Therefore, their combined financial abilities will be assessed, and the co-signer will be equally liable in case of default.
Note that, if the combined financial abilities of the sponsor and the co-signer still do not meet the minimum requirements, then the Family Sponsorship Application will be refused.
The financial ability requirements do not apply if the sponsored person is a spouse, common-law partner or conjugal partner or a dependent child of the sponsor.
10. Are there any other agreements that the sponsor must enter into?
The sponsor is obliged to enter into a sponsorship Agreement with the sponsored person(s). By signing this agreement, the sponsor agrees to provide for the “Essential needs” of the sponsored person(s), and the sponsored person(s) promise to make every effort to become self-supporting.
11. Can a sponsored spouse work or study in Canada while their application is being processed?
Yes of course. It is possible for the sponsored person to work, as long as they have a work permit. While spousal or common-law partner applications are being processed, sponsored persons must maintain their legal status in Canada (visitor, student or worker). That is it.
Generally, the spouse or partner you are sponsoring may apply for an open work permit and must obtain authorization before starting work. As for now, it takes approximately four to five months to process this application. Take a close look at it, an open work permit does not relate to either the employer or the job. Also it allows the holder to work for almost any Canadian employer without first obtaining a confirmed job offer.
12. Can I sponsor my same-sex partner?
Yes, Canada allows this. Therefore, your spouse, common-law partner or conjugal partner can be of either sex.
13. How much does spousal sponsorship cost in Canada?
| Fees | In Canadian dollars |
|---|---|
| Sponsorship Fee | $ 75 |
| Principal applicant processing fee | $ 475 |
| Right of Permanent Residence Fee | $ 500 |
| Biometrics | $ 85 |
| Total | $ 1, 135 |
If you are sponsoring your spouse and he or she has dependent children, an additional payment of $150 will be required for each child included in the application.
If the sponsor resides in Quebec or intends to reside in Quebec when permanent residence is issued, an additional fee of $289 CAD will also be required.
14. Will marrying a Canadian automatically give the foreign spouse permanent residence in Canada?
No. Once you are married or in a common-law relationship, you can then apply for a spousal sponsorship. The married spouse will only become a permanent resident of Canada after your sponsorship application is approved.
15. I am in the process of adopting a child, do I have to wait until the adoption is finalized before starting the sponsorship process?
The sponsorship process can begin when the adoption is in its final phase. However, your application will not be processed until a final adoption decision has been made.
16. Must the dependents of the sponsored person accompany the sponsored person to Canada?
No, but whether they are accompanying the sponsored person or not, all of the sponsored person’s dependents are required to pass applicable police and security clearances, and medical examinations.
17. Do I need to be interviewed for a spousal sponsorship?
In rare cases, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada may want to meet with you and your sponsored family member. This may happen if there is no documentation to support the relationship, or if there is conflicting information on the forms and documents submitted, for example, age and religious difference, or little or no cohabitation.
18. Can I sponsor my spouse or partner if I don’t have a job?
In most cases, you will not have to submit proof of income when sponsoring your spouse for immigration to Canada. However, an immigration officer may ask you to attend an interview and ask how you will support yourself and your spouse.
19. Can I sponsor more than one person in the program for parents and grandparents?
Yes. To do so, you will need to submit separate applications for each person (or couple) you are sponsoring. Applications will be processed separately.
20. Who isn’t eligible to sponsor a relative in Canada?
You may be ineligible for sponsorship if you:
- are in prison
- have not paid your child support payments
- have declared bankruptcy and have not yet been discharged
- has defaulted on an immigration loan, made late payments, or defaulted on payments
- have sponsored another relative in the past and have not complied with the terms of the sponsorship agreement
- were convicted of a violent crime
21. How do I apply for family sponsorship?
To apply to sponsor your relative, you must go through the following steps:
- Get the application package from the government website and read the instruction guide, fill out the forms.
- Pay your application fee (including processing fees, biometrics and third-party fees).
- Send your application to the mailing address indicated in the application guide.
22. How long will my sponsorship application take?
- Spousal sponsorship applications take approximately 12 months to process.
- The processing of applications for dependent children varies by country.
- The processing of PGP applications takes between 20 and 24 months.
23. How many immigrants arrive each year under the family class immigration category?
Under its Immigration Levels Plan, Canada seeks to welcome over 100,000 family class immigrants per year.
24. How can I prove my relationship to the person I want to sponsor to immigrate to Canada?
IRCC provides guidelines on how to demonstrate proof of relationship in your application.
The requirements vary based on the person you are sponsoring. For example, a birth certificate can be used as proof when you are looking to sponsor a parent, grandparent, or child.
A marriage certificate can be used when you look to sponsor your spouse. Other documents that can help you with respect to spousal sponsorship include photographs, travel itineraries, bank accounts, emails, wedding invitations, and more.
25. How can I show IRCC evidence of my relationship with my spouse?
According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the evidence you submit to IRCC should include:
- first, a completed version of the IMM 5532 questionnaire which is called the “Relationship Information and Sponsorship Evaluation” (it is included in your application package)
- secondly, a marriage certificate and proof that the marriage has been registered with a government authority
- thirdly, proof of divorce if a spouse was previously married
- fourth, if the couple have children in common, long-form birth certificates or adoption records containing the names of both parents
- wedding invitations and photos
- couples are also expected to provide documents from at least two of the following. They need to provide a written explanation if they cannot provide a minimum of two of the following sets of documents:
- evidence of joint ownership of residential property
- rental agreement showing the couple are occupants of the property
- evidence of joint utility accounts (such as electricity, gas, telephone, internet), joint credit cards or bank accounts
- car insurance showing the couple have both been declared to the insurance company as residents of the same address
- government issued identification showing the same address (such as a driver’s license)
- other documents issued to the couple showing they have the same address (such as cellphone bills, pay stubs, financial statements, tax records, insurance policies, etc).
26. How can I show IRCC evidence of my relationship with my partner?
IRCC says your evidence should include:
- a completed IMM 5532 questionnaire (this is included in your application package)
- evidence of separation from a former spouse if either member of the couple was previously married
- a completed IMM 5519 form if either member of the couple was previously in a common-law relationship with someone else
- long-form birth certificates listing the names of both parents if both members of the couple have children in common
- photos of the couple together
- at least two of the following sets of documents (or a written explanation if you are unable to provide documents from at least two of the following):
- documents showing the couple is recognized as being in a common-law relationship (such as employment or insurance benefits)
- evidence of shared expenses or financial support among the couple
- evidence that the relationship is recognized by friends and/or family (letters, social media information showing the relationship is public)
Couples Living Together
If the couple is living together, they need to provide evidence of at least two of the following sets of documents (or a written explanation as to why they are unable to provide at least two of the following sets of documents):
- evidence of joint ownership of residential property
- evidence of joint ownership of residential property
- rental agreement showing the couple are occupants of the property
- evidence of joint utility accounts (such as electricity, gas, telephone, internet), joint credit cards or bank accounts
- car insurance showing the couple have both been declared to the insurance company as residents of the same address
- government issued identification showing the same address (such as a driver’s license)
- other documents issued to the couple showing they have the same address (such as cellphone bills, pay stubs, financial statements, tax records, insurance policies, etc)
If the couple is not living together, they need to show evidence they previously lived together for at least one year via the following:
- evidence they have been in contact together via letters, text messages that have been printed, email, social media conversations, or other documents showing they have been in contact. This should be a maximum of 10 pages of evidence.
- Evidence that the Canadian citizen or permanent resident has visited their partner via flight tickets or boarding passes, passport photocopies with stamps. If visits did not take place, an explanation needs to be included by the sponsored individual in the IMM 5532 questionnaire (Part C, question 4).
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