Month: December 2021

Suppose you are already living in Canada but without permanent residency, and you have a partner who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident in the country. In that case, your spouse or common-law partner can sponsor your permanent residency through inland sponsorship. Learn more about it in this article.

What Is Inland Spousal Sponsorship in Canada?

In the Inland Spousal Sponsorship, Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor a relative who is not Canadian and is living in Canada. They only need to prove that they have enough income to support the sponsored relative and pay the other expenses like tuition or medical bills.

That means Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor their spouses or common-law partners. However, there are some conditions they need to follow to do this.

What Are the Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the Inland Spousal Sponsorship, the sponsor should have the following qualifications:

• The sponsor should be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada who has lived in the country for at least a year.
• The sponsor should be over 18 years old. The sponsor should be financially capable of supporting the sponsored spouse or common-law partner.
• The sponsor should be of good character, and the Canadian immigration authorities will confirm this through a background check.
• The couple needs to have lived together for at least a year before the sponsorship.

Spousal Sponsorship in Quebec

The province of Quebec has its immigration laws, and it has its sponsorship program. If the sponsor lives in this province, the sponsored person should meet additional requirements such as holding valid and temporary status in Canada (visitor, student, or worker) and not being a close blood relative of the sponsor.

How to Apply for an Inland Spousal Sponsorship in Canada?

Sponsoring a spouse for immigration doesn’t have to be a complex process. You need to visit the immigration office with your sponsored spouse. There, you will be asked to fill in forms, submit the sponsorship package, and do a medical examination. 

You should collect all the documents required for the spousal sponsorship, especially proof of the following:

• Your marriage certificate
• Your birth certificate or a copy
• Your certificate of divorce, if you were divorced
• Any documents proving that you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
• Proof of employment or a business that meets the financial requirement
• Proof of financial support that can be a bank statement, a pay stub, or an employment letter
• A copy of your credit report
• If you already have permanent residency, you must also prove that you live with the principal applicant

If you are a sponsored spouse or common-law partner, you must also provide the following documents:

• Your birth certificate, showing your relationship with the sponsor
• Your marriage certificate, if you were married to the sponsor
• Your divorce certificate, if you were divorced from the sponsor
• Your certificate of custody for your children if you are the common-law partner of the sponsor
• A police certificate
• A medical exam and a medical report

You will then receive an interview notice, and you must go for a personal interview. The interview will confirm the facts in your application and for getting your permanent residency.

Conclusion

The Inland Spousal Sponsorship is a program that allows you to sponsor your spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner. It is one of the easiest and fastest ways of immigrating. However, you should prepare yourself first and follow the stipulated process when applying to ensure your approval.

If you’re looking for professional help from a trusted firm, please contact us at info@brightimmigration.com or call 1-888-404-8472.

Canadian Spousal Sponsorships: What You Need to Know 

Moving countries can’t be easy, and for that, we’re fortunate to have spousal sponsorships available for us. Spousal sponsorships, in a nutshell, are how a Canadian or permanent resident can sponsor their partner’s migration, allowing families to stay together. Because of this, spousal sponsorships have risen in priority. 

Processing Time

Undoubtedly, this will entail some processing of documents, verification of information, and the like. You can expect these processes to take around 12 months. Keep in mind that this might be extended depending on the specifics of each case. 

Some factors that might affect the length of processing are the need for additional proof of identity and/or relationship and unverified information. That said, the only way to make sure that your processing is finished promptly is to make sure that all your documents are complete and in order when you file them.

Requirements

You can imagine that there are rules to this process as well. To be able to apply for spousal sponsorships, you and your partner must first meet the following conditions:

• Must be at least 18 y.o.
• Are a Canadian resident or returning to Canada once the process of sponsorship is done.
• Are a Canadian resident that is able to provide for the migrating partner for at least 3 months.

Additionally, married couples will have to provide documentation and proof of their relationship through the following documents:

• Marriage certification
• If possible, wedding invitations and photos
• If you have any children together, birth certificates or adoption records
• Proof of registered marriage with a government authority.
• Completed Relationship Information and Sponsorship Evaluation form

For applicants, at least two (2) copies of the following documents will also be required:

• Proof of shared ownership of properties between you and your spouse. 
• If applicable, documentation of shared bank accounts
• Any household bills with both your names
• Photocopies of government-issued identification
• Tax forms, or similar, that prove shared living space.

Spousal Sponsorship Cost

Aside from the usual expenses for processing these documents, spousal sponsorships will not require you to provide a stated minimum yearly income. Nevertheless, you will have to sign an undertaking where you declare your ability and willingness to financially provide for your spouse. 

The length of time will depend on your specific case. On average, you can expect this to last 3 years.

Common-law Sponsorships and Conjugal Relationships

Fortunately, Canadian Immigration law sees common-law marriages the same way as traditional ones. Be that as it may, you will still need to provide proof you and your partner’s shared living space as well as the following documents: 

• If you have any children together, birth certificates or adoption records
• Proof of relationship through photographs and the like.
• Proof of shared residence for at least one (1) year.
• Completed Relationship Information and Sponsorship Evaluation form

For applicants, at least two (2) copies of the following documents will also be required:

• Documentation of you and your partner acknowledging your relationship (e.g. employment/insurance benefits)
• Proof of shared financial burden
• Evidence of couple’s acceptance with respective families

It is possible that your relationship will not have one or more of these documents. In those cases, try looking for any form of evidence proving your relationship. Conjugal relationships, meanwhile, will require the couple to provide proof of a shared residence.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, what’s important is being prepared. After all, you wouldn’t want to keep your family apart. Do your own research before deciding on anything as this process will need attention to detail.

If you’re looking for professional immigration services in Toronto that can help you with your spousal sponsorships, please contact us at info@brightimmigration.com or call 1-888-404-8472.

The Great White North, Canada, is known for having a low unemployment rate, making it a great place to work. The country provides competitive and decent benefits, such as healthcare, paid holidays, and paid leaves. 

If you’re an immigrant wishing to work in Canada, then this article will be perfect for you. Here, we will discuss everything you need to know about getting a job in Canada and what kind of jobs are in demand in the country. Keep reading!

How Can You Know if You Meet the Eligibility Criteria for a Particular Job Type?

If you’re interested in a particular industry or job, you need to know about the Canada National Occupational Classification (NOC). They are the one who decides about your eligibility criteria. They classify jobs based on skill levels and the nature of work that’s expected of the employee. 

Let’s say you want to be a skilled worker. In that case, you need to find your NOC code according to your job title, experience, and skill level when applying for immigration. 

What Are the Express Entry Programs to Immigrate to Canada as Permanent Residents?

If you’re a skilled worker and trader, you are allowed to immigrate to Canada as permanent residents using three express entry programs. These include skill types 0, A, and B. But, some immigration programs, like the Atlantic Immigration Pilot, require NOC skill types 0, A, B, or C to apply for express entry immigration. 

To give you an idea about these express entry programs, here are their descriptions: 

• Skill Type 0 (Zero) – It’s the category for managerial-level jobs. 

• Skill Level A – It requires a degree from a recognized institution with at least bachelor or higher educational level degrees to fall under this category. 

• Skill Level B – It’s the category for technical and skilled trades jobs. This category may require a college diploma, depending on your years of experience and expertise.  But, in some cases, training and experience as an apprentice may be enough to qualify. 

• Skill Level C – This NOC skill level is for workers who have an intermediate or moderate level of skills. In this category, you may be required to have at least a high school diploma to get jobs in Canada for foreigners. 

• Skill Level D – Skill level D is for low-skilled jobs in Canada for PR. There’s no need to obtain an educational degree at this level. But, you are required to get on-the-job training. 

What Are the In-Demand Jobs in Canada? 

Since Canada offers many employment opportunities, you can choose among the in-demand jobs in the tech and IT sector, such as database and system analysts, software engineers, administrators, technicians, IT managers, and more. The managerial and business development sectors are also flourishing. You can be a marketing specialist, project manager, or IT manager. 

There are more other jobs not mentioned here, which indicates that you will not run out of options if you choose to work in Canada. 

Conclusion

Canada is a perfect place to grow your career. The country warmly welcomes foreign immigrants, so you can ensure that you will be in the right place if you decide to work there. If you’re ready to make a career in the Great White North, it’s time to find the best immigration consultant in Canada that can help you with your immigration journey.

If you’re looking for professional’s help from a trusted firm, please contact us at info@brightimmigration.com or call 1-888-404-8472. 

This COVID pandemic has caused some additional concerns when it comes to spousal sponsorship in Canada. Most spouses are wondering if they can work after entering the country. Before COVID, one of the main perks of the Spouse or Common-Law Partner Class is that it offers an open work permit acquired three to four months after application.

Since March 2020, the processing times have increased, and few work permits in the Spouse or Common-Law Partner Class have been issued. Those who prefer an inland sponsorship must be given a warning that the wait time for an open work permit would be long. The advice can be offered about the consideration of remote work setup for an overseas employer. Or, a work permit can be obtained with the help of alternative means like the International Mobility Program.

After Entry: Can the spouse or partner gain access to health care?

Aside from the work permit, health coverage is another main concern for a spouse/partner sponsorship. OHIP is available in Ontario for inland sponsorship applicants. It is granted upon the receipt of an open work permit and the job offer from the employer.

Effective March 25, 2020, all the necessary medical and health services and assessments will become available from Ontario physicians and hospitals, regardless of OHIP enrollment.

These health services are not limited to COVID-related care. The 3-month eligibility time frame for OHIP coverage has been waived, as well.

After entry: Can the spouse or partner make travel while the application is still on-going?

An individual who applied for permanent residence under the Spouse or Common-Law Partner in Canada will not be restricted from international travels. This is only if they have the right and complete documentation to go back to Canada. These documentations include a temporary resident visa, a travel document, and an authorization letter to qualify them to be allowed to return as extended family. This is issued for a single-time use only.

As stated in s.22(2) of IRPA, the main principle of dual intent can be utilized to facilitate the re-entry of an individual who has applied for permanent residence in an inland sponsorship program. A written explanation of the sponsorship application status with the principle of dual intent would be sufficient.

The dual intent operational guidance was updated recently to facilitate sponsored spouses looking for temporary entry.

The guidance recommends several factors to officers evaluating the intentions of spouses and partners granted sponsorships for permanent residence:

• Whether the sponsored application has been granted or approved;
• Up to what extent the applicant has maintained ties in their home country;
• Whether the permanent residence application for permanent residence has acquired even Stage 1 approval;
• What the applicant’s plan is, should the application be denied

What documents are forgiven during a sponsorship application after entry?

There are instances that program delivery instructions let the applications be submitted since they are usually returned as incomplete due to some missing documents. Program delivery instructions allow the submission of applications that would normally be returned as incomplete due to the absence of required documents.

Restrictions are not implemented on the types of documents that can benefit from this policy. But, it is still crucial to indicate information that the documents are missing due to issues like service disruptions caused by COVID-19. The absence of such information could mean rejection of the application.

Once the explanation is provided, the submitted application will be under review within 90 days. Within that time frame and the missing documents are not provided, a request from CIC for the missing documents will be made to submit them within a 90-day deadline.

Conclusion

Canada has been offering great opportunities to individuals who want to create a great life in the country. However, with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, there are some concerns regarding the immigration process. To ensure that you’ll undergo the proper documentation and implementation, it is recommended to consult with Canadian immigration consultants.

If you’re looking for professional help from a trusted firm, please contact us at info@brightimmigration.com or call 1-888-404-8472.

For anyone searching for a better life and greener pastures far away from home, the idea of immigrating to Canada is one that will grow increasingly irresistible over time.

Considered as the most immigrant-friendly nation in the world, the Great White North offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for people seeking better lives to have a smooth experience. As opposed to other countries that maintain arduous processes and hurdles for migrants, Canada has a more “welcome-with-open-arms” approach thanks to its incentives.

Today, anyone longing to start anew with a better blank slate can easily pack their bags and head over to Canada with the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) help. For those looking to start families in favourable places, in particular, the process of moving over to the Land of the Maple Leaf is an absolute breeze thanks to family programs. In fact, applying for Canadian citizenship to start and raise a family in the country is so easy to the point where the hardest part is merely choosing a city to reside in! 

Looking to raise a family in Canada? Here are some cities to consider

With the country’s welcoming nature, contagious and widespread politeness, and countless multicultural communities, the Great White North is the place to be for anyone looking to raise a family. However, seeing that locales are growing to accommodate immigrants and offer irresistible incentives to cash in, it can be quite difficult to pick a final location to settle down in. 

Fortunately, we’ve got you covered with this guide to the best cities to start and raise a family according to different categories and relevant considerations: 

1. Guelph, Ontario (Best for employment rates)

If you want to migrate to Canada, the whole idea can seem quite intimidating because the risks of being unemployed for far too long are high, but this isn’t the case in the city of Guelph.

Boasting the highest employment rates in all of Canada, Guelph is the ideal location for anyone keen on being employed in the blink of an eye so that they can provide for their family. On top of the higher employment rates across all industries in the city, however, its significantly-lower cost of living will also leave you with lots of wiggle room to steadily build a better life!

2. Ottawa, Ontario (Best for education quality) 

As you go through the nuances of raising a family and affording better lives for those who you love the most, one of the clearest realizations you’ll ever have is that educational quality matters.

If you’ve got kids who have big dreams and a desire to learn more so that you can take on more meaningful work with a bigger paycheck, Canada’s capital is the place to be. Home to prestigious universities, such as Carleton University and the University of Ottawa, the nation’s capital prides itself on offering the best learning experiences in the world to everyone.

Considering that Ottawa prides itself on having the highest number of university graduates in the country at a staggering 31.5 percent, the city will help you secure a better future for your kids as well!

Conclusion

After you make up your mind and navigate the Canadian immigration system and its different processes with the help of Bright Immigration, you’ll have to choose a city to settle down and start a family in. With this guide’s help, you now have a clearer idea of what places are most ideal to start a family in as you begin to afford a better life for yourself and your loved ones! 

If you’re looking for professional help from a trusted firm, please contact us at info@brightimmigration.com or call 1-888-404-8472.

Canada is regarded as one of the most popular immigration destinations, and for good reason—they welcome immigrants with open arms! Canadian citizens, and those granted permanent residencies, are now empowered to sponsor their parents and grandparents to move to Canada through the PGP program. 

The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has accepted 27,000 sponsorship programs in 2019, and the number will likely increase given the current state of the pandemic. With economies slowing down and applications have been halted, Canada needs to reopen its doors once more—it may be the best time to reunite your families.

To ensure that you make the most of the PGP program, here’s a curated guide to follow: 

A Step-By-Step Guide—What To Do Next

Step 1: Becoming a sponsor

If you wish to sponsor your parents or grandparents, then you have to show interest to sponsor. After ensuring that you are eligible to sponsor them, you have to submit the Interest to Sponsor Form to the IRCC. 

This form is not an application but is intended to inform CIC that you wish to sponsor your parents or grandparents. Make sure to check whether the form is currently available on IRCC’s website, and you may also check the site regarding the submission procedures.

Step 2: Application of sponsorship

Potential sponsors can submit their application forms on the website of CIC similar to how they receive the interest to sponsor forms. Once you get the appropriate application package, you must submit two applications. 

The two application forms include the application for permanent residence and the application to become a sponsor. You must only fill them up after receiving an invitation to sponsor, as the CIC may change the required documents and application forms. You are also required to submit them together within 60 days after receiving your invitation. 

Step 3: Payments

After filling out all the necessary forms, you will then be asked to pay for government fees that will compromise the principal application processing fee, sponsorship fee, principal applicant’s spouse processing fee, the Right of Permanent Residence Fee, and lastly, the biometrics fee.

Step 4: Completion 

Your sponsorship will need to be received and reviewed by the IRCC, which should be done not later than 60 days from the date of the invitation. The specific deadline will be included in the invitation, and the duration must be used for medical exams, biometrics, police certificates, and other necessary parts of their 

Sponsored mother, father, or grandmother and grandfather will need to take medical exams, give biometrics, and provide police certificates when requested by the CIC during the processing of their application.

Reunite Your Family Through The PGP Program 

Although your parents and grandparents are more than welcome to spend time in Canada as visitors, having them become permanent residents allows them to enjoy vast benefits. As permanent residents, they’ll be able to work in Canada, effectively eliminating the need for expensive travel fees and insurance policies. They’ll also be qualified for healthcare coverage, eventually allowing them the opportunity to become citizens. 

If you’re looking for professional help from a trusted firm please contact us at info@brightimmigration.com or call 1-888-404-8472. We offer you the best immigration consultants in Toronto, dedicated to helping you achieve your Canadian dream. 

Don’t you just wish you could invite people to visit your home in Canada? Well now, you have the chance to do so by writing an invitation letter. It’s a way for you to get your friends and family to enjoy all the sights and sounds of your country. But how exactly does it help them get here and what do you have to include in the letter? 

This article will discuss four practical tips to guide you in your letter writing. Take this as an opportunity to reconnect with your loved ones as you take them around Canada. This way, you can make new memories together and gain relevant insights into the visa application process.

• Include all the essential information

Note all the following visitor applicant details that should be included in your letter: 

• Full legal name
• Birthdate 
• Current home address
• Telephone or mobile number
• Email address
• The main purpose for visiting the country
• Relationship with the person writing the letter
• Duration of stay, including the arrival and departure dates

You also need to include your personal information. Refer to the following: 

• Your full legal name 
• Your birthdate 
• Current home address
• Telephone or mobile number
• Email address
• Your current citizenship status in Canada
• Your work details, including your spouse’s (if applicable)
• Names and birth dates of your significant other and all your children (if applicable)
• Total number of individuals residing in your home

You have to ensure all the details are correct, so you must coordinate with your invitee and your family members. Any discrepancies with your invitation letter may either land you in legal trouble or invalidate your visitor’s further visa applications. As such, write drafts and cross-reference all the details before sending. 

• Explain why you want your invitee to come to Canada

Although the visa application process may seem serious and detail-oriented, your invitation letter should be emotionally compelling to the visa offices. Remember, these are real people reviewing the application, meaning they can be moved to get your friends and family to come to Canada if you include emotional motivations. However, you also have to keep in mind that the agency may have a quota for visa applications. 

• Talk about the reasons why your invitee needs to return to their home country

Your loved ones will apply for a visitor’s visa. They are expected to leave the country after the set dates, meaning this application should not be considered as the easiest way to immigrate to Canada. That’s why the visa officers want to see some compelling reasons why your invitee needs to go back home. 

For example, you can say you are just inviting your brother to Canada to reunite, but he has to return home after because he’s set to get married and run your family’s business. Just ensure your reasons are not fictitious to avoid being incriminated by the local authorities. 

• Attach the appropriate supporting documents

Back up all the things you wrote in your invitation letter with supporting documents. For example, if you invited a close relative, you need to show you are related by submitting your birth certificates. 

You may need to prove your citizenship status through income tax documents, letter of employment, and bank records. The visa officers may also want to be convinced that you and your visitor have enough financial resources for the duration of your invitee’s stay, meaning you need to attach bank statements. Just make sure every document you include with your letter is linked to bolstering your invitee’s visa application. 

Conclusion 

Writing an immigration invitation letter can be challenging if you don’t know what to say. Fortunately, you now have the opportunity to send out the perfect one! All you have to do is remember all the previously mentioned tips to ensure your loved ones’ successful visitor’s visa application. Work on your letter today! 

Are you looking for a professional immigration agency to help with your Canadian visa application? Consider consulting with our team at Bright Immigration. We can guide you through the process, making your transition into the Great White North less stressful. Contact us at info@brightimmigration.com or call 1-888-404-8472 for further assistance

Coronavirus has significantly affected the education system in Canada. Learning institutions have been forced to temporarily close in accordance with health safety precautions and public directives. This has led many students, especially international students, tp grow concerned over their studies and their Post Graduate Work Permit.

With travel bans being implemented, students from abroad are concerned about when and how they can enter Canada. Some might be exempt from this restriction, but they would need first to undergo various health checks and assessments. 

To shed light on the situation, below is a guide that answers some of the most common concerns of international students regarding their education and work permit in Canada.

What can international students in Canada do?

With the threat of COVID-19, many schools and universities have temporarily closed to ensure health safety and avoid further infection. Many international students are confused and worried about what they should do with their study permits and what will happen with their education. Fortunately, the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) had laid out instructions for international students.

1. For international students with valid study permits

They can continue their study programs through online classes should their university offer this alternative learning. They will not receive a deduction from their program length affecting their Post-Graduation Work Permit while they complete their study programs online, whether inside or outside Canada.

2. For international students whose study permits will expire shortly

They can extend the validity of their permit online, as long as they have a valid status. Otherwise, they would need to restore their status once it expires.

3. For international students who would want to continue to work

In Canada, international students can only work full-time off-campus during breaks in the academic year. During academic sessions, they are only allowed to take part-time jobs that take no more than 20 hours per week. However, the IIRC has modified the guidelines for student work authorization for this time.

According to them, students can continue to work in Canada whether they are part-time students or were forced to take breaks in their studies. Additionally, IIRC told that those who work in essential industries are exempted from the 20-hour limit until August 31, 2020.

The essential services they recognize are:

• Energy and utilities
• Food and water
• Health
• Finance
• Information and communication
• Transportation
• Safety
• Manufacturing sectors
• Government

If you need further assistance, it would be best if you consult with an immigration advisor.

4. For 2020 graduates who wish to remain and work in Canada

International students who would like to work in Canada should apply for a Post Graduate Work Permit. This permit allows international graduates from Canadian learning institutions to gain valuable work experience in the country.

The eligibility requirements for this permit include:

• Have a valid status
• Attended a designated learning institute
• Completed over 50 percent of their course in Canada
• Within 180 of receiving their final marks
• Completed a study program for at least eight months and has a degree certification or diploma

Conclusion

With the closure of Canadian learning institutions, online study programs are widely promoted and encouraged. Apart from that, the IIRC has allowed students, especially those in essential industries, to continue to work in Canada. They also modified some regulations in consideration of the students’ welfare amid COVID-19. International students who have other concerns should consult with an immigration consultant in Toronto to guide them throughout the process.

If you’re looking for professional help from a trusted firm, please contact our immigration consultant in Toronto at info@brightimmigration.com or call 1-888- 404-8472.

Regardless of whether you know it for its amazing double-doubles or love the idea of top-notch healthcare and utmost safety, there’s no doubt that Canada is an amazing place to live in.

From all parts of the country, Canada is packed with various experiences, landmarks, and a growing economy with a trustworthy government that helps create an amazing quality of life. For young singles, in particular, Canada holds a wide range of opportunities to grow and flourish as a young professional while boasting a strong job market that’s just as captivating and fulfilling as the nightlife experience.

Now, as easy as it may be to see that Canada undoubtedly is one of the best countries in the world to live in, there’s one question that many young singles ask about:

Where are the best places in Canada for young singles to live in?

If you’ve been meaning to start anew and jump into an open sea of opportunities to pick up the building blocks for a fulfilling life, then you may have pondered over the important question of choosing where to settle down. To ease your worries about choosing which part of Canada you should live in, let’s look at three of the cities that are perfect for young singles:

A sea of opportunities for growth: Vancouver

Often regarded as one of the most eclectic, vibrant, and captivating cities in Canada, Vancouver sets itself apart as a promised land packed with career opportunities for young professionals.

Thanks to its nature as one of the largest Canadian metropolitan cities, Vancouver holds its place as a city where work and play meet to give young singles the opportunity to discover themselves. With an amazingly-low unemployment rate of 4.5 percent, it’s safe to say that job opportunities are abundant in Canada and easy to keep as long as you’re determined and dedicated.

Aside from work and mingling opportunities, however, Vancouver is also the perfect city if you want to further your education as it is home to key Canadian universities, such as Simon Fraser University.

For cost-cutting singles that need an easier time: Calgary

One of the biggest struggles that many young singles encounter is budget constraints. If you settle down in Calgary, however, such instances are quite rare.

Although the unemployment rate in Calgary is higher than that of Vancouver at a measly 7.9 percent, it boasts a higher median household income of $98,309 while having a lower cost of living. Assuming that most young singles aim to seize the opportunity to earn a higher wage, save more often, and spend less, Calgary is definitely a prime city option to live in.

When you put aside cost-cutting and higher wage, Calgary is also packed with many cultural events, such as the Calgary Stampede, and a modest nightlife that also makes socializing far more enjoyable.

Right at the heart of the capital where business is better: Toronto

Another city that any young single can enjoy best when making the big leap to move to Canada is its very own capital––Toronto.

Home to the Toronto Raptors, the Toronto International Film Festival, and various breeding grounds for artists, Toronto is an artistic hotspot that oozes with culture, making it perfect for creative young singles. Aside from its cultural significance, Toronto also has a highly-competitive unemployment rate that sits at a small 6.4 percent and is outfitted with one of the most convenient transportation systems in the world.

Conclusion

Moving to Canada is definitely a monumental experience that can be filled with anxiety. Nevertheless, choosing the right place to settle down and build your life and career in can make a world of difference altogether.

If you are looking to immigrate to Canada sometime soon and jump at the opportunity of a lifetime, get in touch with our Immigration consultants to see how we can help today!

Canada has a welcoming immigration system that has plenty of options for couples to reunite as a family in the Land of Opportunity. Partner sponsorship is one of the many programs that lead to permanent residency for couples, though it falls under different types such as spousal, common-law sponsorship to the conjugal partnership.

The route can be tricky, which is why understanding the best sponsorship to take is crucial to ensure you fit the criteria. With that in mind, this article is focusing on common-law partnership and what it means for you and your partner. 

What is a Common-Law Partnership? 

Under Canada’s immigration context, a common-law partnership refers to a couple that is not yet married but has proof of living together with a marriage-like set-up for at least one year. This type of partnership requires proof of existence by showing documents that verify their cohabitation in their conjugal relationship. 

To be considered a common-law partner, you need to fall under the following categories: 

• The common-law partnership means you are not married to the person who is being sponsored;
• Both partners must be at least 18-years-old or older; 
• The common-law couple must have proof of cohabitation that show you have been living together for a full year; 
• The common-law couple should have a marriage-like relationship, which includes sharing the bills, etc. 

When applying for common-law sponsorship, keep in mind that the applicant should prove their cohabitation for at least one year before the CPC-M recognizes their application. What makes it slightly more complicated compared to a spousal relationship is that a common-law partnership is a case-to-case basis, while married couples are legally accepted and established in law. 

What is the Proof for Common-Law Partnership?

As mentioned above, you need proof of cohabitation for you to be eligible for Canada’s partner sponsorship. With that in mind, some of the requirements you need include the following:

• Statutory declaration of a common-law partnership; 
• Bank statements showing a shared account between the couple; 
• Shared credit card statements; 
• Proof of shared ownership of the residential property;
• Proof of a shared residential lease;
• Shared rental receipts; 
• Bills that prove shared payments for the rental’s utility like electricity; 
• Receipts that prove household expenses are shared; 
• Proof of shared purchase; 
• Proof that the couple share the same address, such as official documents like driver’s license or insurance policies;
• Any other documents that show cohabitation;

Keep in mind that when sending proof of documents, only original records like marriage certificates, passports, driver’s licenses, and more are given back to you. Photos, telephone bills, letters, and other photocopies will not be given back to you. 

The Bottom Line: Understanding Common-Law Partner in Canada Class for Immigration 

When sponsoring a common-law partner, do note that they are obligated to provide financial support to their sponsored spouse as soon as the undertaking takes effect. The length of the undertaking is generally three years from the day the sponsored partner moves up to becoming a permanent resident in Canada. 

If you’re looking for professional help from a trusted firm in Canada, please contact us at info@brightimmigration.com or call 1-888-404-8472.