Ah, love! That magical four-letter word that drives so many of our long term life decisions. But if your fairy-tale ending involves sponsoring your significant other for Permanent Residence in Canada, listen up! The road to “I do” is riddled with misconceptions that could easily turn your love story into a suspense thriller. Here’s your guide to debunking the top 10 myths about spousal sponsorship in Canada.

Myth 1: “Only Citizens Can Sponsor a Spouse”

First off, let’s shatter this illusion. Not only Canadian citizens but also permanent residents can act as sponsors. So, if you’ve got your Permanent Residence card, you’re already one step closer to having your spouse join you on Canadian soil.

Myth 2: “Being Married is a Requirement”

Well intentioned friends and social media may have convinced you that a grand wedding is the only way to true love, but Canada’s immigration policy begs to differ. Common-law and conjugal partners can also be eligible for sponsorship, as long as you meet the criteria. 


Myth 3: “You Must Earn Six Figures to Sponsor”

While it’s true that you need to meet certain financial requirements to sponsor a family member like a parent or a grandparent, you’re not required to be a member of the Millionaire’s Club or to even have a minimum necessary income. The key is proving that you can provide basic needs for your spouse and any dependent children.

Myth 4: “Having a Job in Canada Speeds up the Process”

Contrary to popular belief, your employment status in Canada doesn’t make your application faster. The focus is more on the truthfulness of your relationship and your ability to support your spouse financially. If you are going through bankruptcy proceedings, for example, you will need to wait until you are done before sponsoring your spouse or a common law partner.

Myth 5: “The Sponsorship Process is Just Filling Out a Few Forms”

Ah, if only it were that easy! The spousal sponsorship process involves extensive documentation, confusing forms, unreliable Portal system and background checks. Underestimating the paperwork involved is like thinking a wedding planner only deals with flowers—amateur mistake that needs to be avoided at all cost.

Myth 6: “Same-Sex Couples Face More Difficulties”

Canada prides itself on being one of the most LGBTQ+ friendly countries in the world. The process for sponsoring a same-sex spouse is the same as for heterosexual couples, governed by the same rights and responsibilities. It is true, however, that same sex couples may have more difficulties providing evidence of their relationship if one of them resides in a country that is hostile to gay rights.

Myth 7: “Once Sponsored, The Spouse Can’t Leave Canada”

Wrong again! Being sponsored for Permanent Residence doesn’t mean your spouse gets an ankle bracelet a la house arrest. Travel is permitted; however, the sponsored spouse should remain a resident of Canada for immigration purposes or apply for citizenship in the future.

Myth 8: “Sponsorship Guarantees Citizenship”

Hold your maple leaf flags! Sponsorship leads to Permanent Residence, not automatic citizenship. Your spouse will need to meet additional residency criteria, language tests and pass citizenship tests to officially become His Majesty’s subject.

Myth 9: “Sponsorship Failures Ban You for Life”

While no one wants to think about a rejected application, know that one failure doesn’t blackball you for life. You can reapply, but you’ll need to address the reasons for refusal adequately.

Myth 10: “Spousal Sponsorship is Just a Shortcut to Permanent Residence”

Let’s end with the juiciest myth. Immigration officials are trained to identify fraudulent applications, so using spousal sponsorship as an immigration ‘hack’ (if it’s a sham marriage) could lead to severe penalties, including deportation and criminal charges.

The Love Verdict

Navigating the maze of spousal sponsorship is a bit like navigating love itself—complex, demanding, yet ultimately rewarding. Armed with the facts, you’re now better equipped to turn your Canadian love story into a lasting happily-ever-after. So next time you hear someone peddling one of these myths, you’ll be well-equipped to play myth-buster. Remember, when it comes to love and immigration, it’s better to know the rules than to fall for the myths.

Ivan J. Steele, Barrister and Solicitor / Toronto Immigration and Family Lawyer