Sponsoring Your Girlfriend or Boyfriend to Become a Canadian Citizen What to Know

Canada is a welcoming country with one of the most open and progressive immigrant policies in the world. That’s why workers and families view it as the land of opportunity where they can start a new life. 

Families are also placed as a high priority, that’s why Canada has family reunification immigration programs that allow a permanent resident to sponsor their spouse or foreign partner to migrate to Canada – be it for mixed-orientation to same-sex marriage. 

Seeing as love knows no geographical boundaries, couples who are not yet married can’t help but beg the question: is it possible to sponsor their girlfriend or boyfriend’s immigration to Canada in 2020? 

Determining the Eligibility for a Sponsorship to Canada 

The first step to applying for sponsorship is first to determine whether that person is eligible to come to Canada or not. So long as you’re an 18-years-old or above Canadian citizen or have permanent residence, you can sponsor your partner to migrate to Canada. However, there are some exceptions to the rule.

For one, you won’t be able to sponsor your partner if you have a history of failing to meet the requirements of a sponsorship agreement, which includes basic requirements necessary for quality living. 

An individual’s absence from paying alimony or child support will also prove that you don’t have the financial means to sponsor someone, along with instances where you had to declare bankruptcy and the inability to pay back an immigration loan. 

Being convicted or crimes from offences that have a sexual nature and violence will also immediately rule you out as a sponsor. Lastly, if you were an immigrant who was sponsored by a spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner, you will have to wait to finish the five years before being able to sponsor someone else. 

Defining the Three Main Categories of Immigration for Loved Ones to Canada 

Sponsoring a partner to immigrate to Canada can be complicated as each situation is different, but it generally falls under three categories: 

  • Spousal Sponsorship – this sponsorship involves the legal marriage between a Canadian citizen or permanent resident with a foreign citizen that is at least 18-years-old. So long as you meet these basic requirements, you can apply for Spousal Sponsorship. 

This sponsorship also doesn’t require you to show a certain level of income, but having social assistance without any disabilities will bar you from applying for sponsorship. 

  • Common-Law Sponsorship – couples who are not yet married but have been living together in Canada for at least a year can apply for a common-law sponsorship. Of course, you will need to provide evidence of cohabitation and an exclusive relationship – from shared assets, travel history together, relationship with families, and other documents that prove you have a legitimate and committed relationship. The process also involves an interview with a visa officer. 
  • Conjugal Sponsorship – this is arguably one of the most complicated out of the list as it caters to couples who do not fit either category. The relationship involves a “marriage-like” set-up, minus the legalization and legitimacy of a real marriage. 

In that sense, you will need to provide a history together, shared assets, and some form of public expression that supports your relationship to apply for conjugal sponsorship.

 

Sponsoring Canadian Citizen
Sponsoring Canadian Citizen

Conclusion: Sponsoring Your Girlfriend or Boyfriend to Become a Full-Fledged Canadian Citizen 

Love knows no bounds, and Canada is an open country that places high importance on bringing families together. With that in mind, the guide above should clue you in on the steps to properly sponsor your partner. 

If you’re looking for immigration consultants in Toronto, get in touch with us today to see how we can help! 

Case Codes To Use When Applying for a Canadian Work Permit

If you are looking to apply for a Canadian work permit, there are a few things you need to know about before getting started. Just like with any organized agency, the Canadian government has a set of codes, jargon, or acronyms that are meant to make communication between departments easier. 

Some of these codes may be easier to understand, yet others require a bit more explanation for more accurate comprehension. If you aim to obtain a Canadian work permit, this article will help you understand which codes to use in your application.

Case Codes To Use When Applying for a Canadian Work Permit

A Canadian work permit will allow foreign nationals to be able to legally work within the country. Although there may be select circumstances where a foreign national may be able to apply for work without a work permit, most circumstances will warrant the need for this document.

One of the main elements each Canadian work permit will contain is a case type code. This will usually be found in the middle part of the document. Here are some examples of the case-type codes found on the Canadian work permit application documents.

Case Code Definitions

07 – The US government

08 – The US government (dependent)

20 – Worker Not Elsewhere Specified

21 – Employment form

22 – Official status

23 – Entertainer

24 – Student

25 – Commuter

26 – National of a communist country

27 – Under application

28 – Under enforcement

29 – Refused application for permanent resident

52 – LMIA exempt

54 – Same employer or Subsequent open work permit

56 – Post Graduation work permit (PGWP)

57 – Live-in caregiver work permit

58 – International Experience Canada (IEC)

59 – Co-op work permit

86 – Others

98 – Seasonal worker

Skill Type Codes and Categories

0 – Management occupations

1 – Business, finance, and administration occupations

2 – Natural and applied sciences and related occupations

3 – Health occupations

4 – Occupations in education, law and social, community, and government services

5 – Occupations in art, culture, recreation, and sport

6 – Sales and service occupations

7 – Trades, transport, and equipment operators and related occupations

8 – Natural resources, agriculture, and related production occupations

9 – Occupations in manufacturing and utilities

Skill Levels Under National Occupation Classification

There are five significant skill levels under NOC. These skill levels reflect the level of education, experience, and skills a person needs to be able to qualify to apply for a job in that classification. Here are the classifications that fall under NOC.

0 – This class includes managerial positions, such as chief executive officers, senior government

managers, college presidents, club managers, and store managers.

A – Class A covers jobs that generally call for a university degree, such as financial auditors, civil engineers, human resource professionals, and physicists.

B – This class refers to jobs that usually require a college diploma, such as admin assistants, event planners, insurance underwriters, plumbers, welders, and customs brokers.

C – Class C requires a combination of a high-school diploma and job-specific training, such as

transformer winders, court clerks, collectors, payroll administrators, and postal workers.

D – Class D refers to labour jobs that usually need on-the-job training, such as fish weighers, meat packagers, cloth carriers, and shipfitter helpers.

Conclusion

If you are applying for work with the hopes of eventually migrating to Canada, you have to make sure that you have the necessary job experience that will fall under a specific application stream. 

Should you need help in your application for a work permit or immigration papers, contact Bright Immigration. We are an immigration agency that aims to help you get your application submitted successfully. Our representatives are recognized by the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council and Law Society of Upper Canada. If you’re looking for professional help from a trusted firm please contact us at info@brightimmigration.com or call 1-888-404-8472.