Getting a Canada Permanent Residence Green Card Through Marriage
Marriage, no matter how you want to see it, is key to many things. It gives one leverage over others. It is a way to seal many imbalances. There’s nothing compared to being around those you love and cherish. Especially when you are with the right person, you tend to be a team in everything. And when distance seems to be stopping the intimacy and bonding, you try all means necessary to break the jinx.
It also seems like one of the easiest and fastest ways to secure permanent residence in the country of your choice. Let’s look at traveling. For example, a lot of countries have ways to compromise anytime the issue involves couples—married couples especially.
Is Canada your choice of place
Have you been to Canada before? Or are you just one of those who have heard great news about the country?
Have you been looking for ways to get yourself a Canadian permanent residence card but still find yourself buried in frustration? Do you know that—as awkward as it seems—you can secure one through marriage? Relax, save some breath, and get your fingers crossed as we bring to you what it takes to get a Canadian permanent card and how it works.
This article is actually for those who intend to attain permanent residence through marriage. If you are not in this category, it is not a bad idea that you read through and true for the sake of having the knowledge—who knows, you might find yourself in this shoe any time soon.
You might have come across different articles—online and/or offline, commercials, or even heard from a friend—about what Canada looks like and the vast opportunities it offers immigrants, but we will do well to shape and broaden your knowledge about this great country.
Whatever your reason is for requesting a permanent residence card, it is great to know about your thoughts, and you have come to the right place.
Canada, as you have heard people say, is well-known to be home to different and amazing opportunities—from a sociopolitical system that is accommodating to fantastic healthcare and job security—that do not in any way hamper one’s social well-being.
These reasons and more remain important factors in why people in their tons across all works of life troupe into Canada every year. One thing: freedom and peace. Everybody wants that!!
Green Card vs. Permanent Residency Card
So many people are always lost when they hear the phrases “permanent residency card” and “green card” at different intervals or when used interchangeably. Relax; don’t get yourself mixed up and confused.
Actually, the word “green card” is the term commonly used in the United States of America to refer to a permanent resident card. So, don’t get confused when you hear “PR card” or “green card”—it’s just different terms for one thing.
Becoming A Permanent Resident Of Canada Through Marriage
It is better to set this fact straight. Getting married to a Canadian does not automatically guarantee permanent residence. So many have been dying in the illusion that once they get married to a citizen, it authenticates their residency. It does not in any way guarantee that! Please do well to stay away from misinformation as much as you can.
There is a way one can secure permanent residence for his or her partner, and it is called spousal sponsorship. You might be hearing it for the first time or have heard it over time. It is a well-known process notorious for being one of the surest ways to get a permanent residence card.
It is a means through which partners bring and get their loved ones permanent residence where they reside. However, it is valid and worth knowing that the processes involved vary from one country to the next, depending on the country’s law.
As Canada is our major concern here, it will be inappropriate to generalize or deviate from the focus. The Canadian government has deemed it its responsibility to ensure that families—spouses especially—are united through spousal sponsorship. And they seem to take it to heart.
How does it work?
In order to ensure that you are on the safer side, you or your spouse must be at least 18 and above. The Canadian government has given permission for a spouse to sponsor his or her spouse, whether a conjugal partner, common-law partner, or cohabitant. So, if you are right there, in Canada, or your partner is, in whatever way, be positive, and rest assured, a green card can be secured.
For spouses to obtain sponsorship, it is a requirement that they be legally married to their respective sponsors. It is important to note that virtual or online marriages are not acknowledged in this context, thus necessitating an in-person wedding ceremony.
Conjugal partners, on the other hand, are individuals who are currently residing outside the country and have been involved in a committed relationship for a span of at least one year. In their case, it is mandatory to provide proof of legal or societal impediments preventing them from being married or living together.
For common-law partners, the criteria is slightly different. They must furnish evidence substantiating that they have cohabitated for a minimum period of 12 months.
Eligibility of the Sponsor
In order to be considered eligible, all prospective applicants are required to meet the minimum age requirement of a minimum of 18 years old.
Moreover, it is very important that applicants—sponsor(s)—hold either Canadian citizenship, have permanent residency status within Canada, or be officially registered as an individual under the Canadian Indian Act. This act of inclusiveness ensures that all individuals who meet these criteria are eligible for the desired opportunity.
To qualify as a sponsor, you must demonstrate that you are not receiving any form of social assistance, except for cases of disability. Furthermore, you must have the means to meet the basic needs of any individuals you wish to sponsor.
Note also:
If you are a Canadian citizen residing abroad, it is important that you show and prove to the authorities your intention to live in Canada once the individual you wish to sponsor finally attains permanent residency. It is not permissible to sponsor someone if you are a permanent resident living outside the shores of Canada.
The Methods
There are two distinct methods available for sponsorship in Canada, namely “inside-Canada sponsorship” and “outside-Canada sponsorship.” The selection of the appropriate sponsorship program depends on individual circumstances, as each program comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages.
In Canada Sponsorship, also referred to as the Spouse or Common Law Partner in-Canada Class Application, is commonly chosen by Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident Sponsors whose spouse or common-law partner is physically present in Canada and residing with them during the time of the application.
This program offers the benefit of being able to apply for a work permit while waiting for a decision. However, it restricts the option to travel outside of Canada for extended periods and does not provide the right to appeal if the application is refused.
On the other hand, the outside of Canada Sponsorship, known as the Family Class Application, allows applicants to reside in either Canada or outside of Canada at the time of application.
Unlike the inside Canada Sponsorship, this program does not permit the application for a work permit during processing. However, it offers the option to travel outside of Canada for longer durations. In addition, applicants have the right to appeal if their application is refused.
Based on individual circumstances and preferences, applicants can choose the sponsorship program that best suits their needs and goals.
Documents Required For Spousal Sponsorship
The necessary documents needed to prove your relationship with your partner include:
- Proof of relationship (lay your hands on as much information as possible to back up your claim)
- Proof of shared expenses between both of you
- Photos that serve as proof of your relationship with your common-law partner
- Marriage and birth certificates. And also, records of adoption of children, if any, you have with your common-law partner.
- Information about your relationship as well as a questionnaire on sponsorship evaluation.
Steps to Take
The steps to take include the following:
- Avoid scammers.
Do ensure that you process everything yourself. Do not give your documents to someone to handle for you while you are at home munching popcorn or waiting to be given the field back.
- Download the packages.
The advancement of technology has made life easier. The first thing to do is to download packages available on the country’s official website. Make sure that you are on the right website.
- Pay the required fees for the application.
Do well to pay all the fees attached to your applications—biometrics, right of permanent residence fee, processing fee for those who are involved in the application, etc.
- Complete your application.
Try as much as possible to complete your application to sponsor your spouse or partner, including providing all required documents, such as proof of your relationship. Complete your spouse or partner’s permanent residence application, including providing all required documents, such as proof of identity and medical examinations.
- Submission of Applications
Submit your applications together, along with the required fees and supporting documents, either online or through mail. Ensure that all your documents are original and authentic. Do not submit forged documents; it is not advisable at all. The outcome might be unpleasant.
- Do Wait for Acknowledgement
At this time, all you need to do is wait for the government to acknowledge your submission. This will give you a hint that your applications have been received and are being processed. If there is any interview you are asked to attend, ensure that you do not miss out. Also, make sure that when additional information is requested, you provide it. The authenticity of this information is important!!
- Wait again!!
Try as much as possible to ensure that you endure the inconveniences and wait for a decision on your applications. Be informed that the processing time can vary, but for clarity, you can log on to the government website for estimated processing times.
If your applications are approved, rest assured that your spouse or partner will receive their permanent resident card and can now live in Canada as a permanent resident. Bear in mind that you, as the sponsor, will be responsible for their financial support and ensuring they meet the conditions of their permanent residency.
However, if your partner has a clean criminal record, it will also help. No country is friends with criminals these days. They all dread crime. Crime has never been in harmony with peace-thirsty societies.
As devastating as it sounds, if, in any case, your wait did not count and your applications got denied, do not get all worked up. You may have the option to appeal the decision or reapply, depending on the circumstances. Who knows? You might hit the gold mine then. Just trust the process, and you will laugh last.
From the processes highlighted above, you can clearly see that getting a permanent residence is not that easy. But it is fair enough to compare the benefits involved. The benefits range from enjoying almost the same rights and freedoms that citizens enjoy. Benefits like free healthcare and access to free education for kids, among others. It is also one of the surest ways to give one an opportunity to process his or her citizenship, if interested.
Bottom line
Regardless of the circumstances and the processes involved, getting your loved one(s) permanent residence is really highly commendable. It is a great way to bridge the gap between partners who cherish and value their relationship. By living together, the relationship becomes stronger.
Canada is home to peace and tranquility, which is healthy for both young and old. There is this incomparable bond that is always there when you sleep and wake to see your loved ones by your side. It is magical. It makes one view and feel the world differently. Good luck with your plans. It is a great one. It is worth trying.
