Who is the principal applicant in Canada spousal sponsorship?

When you are submitting a Canada spousal sponsorship application, it is crucial to understand which one of the two will be the principal applicant. This is a common question that arises in these situations and understanding the principal applicant makes the entire process easier. 

Mainly, there are two applicants in spousal sponsorship, the “principal applicant” – the one who is applying for Canada PR from India and the “sponsor” – who is being sponsored. Each role has distinct requirements and responsibilities. So, pick the principal applicant carefully. 

Principal applicant’s role and responsibilities

1. Relationship 

IRCC recognizes three types of relationships in spousal sponsorship cases:

• Spouses: Couples who are legally married. 

• Common-law partners: Couples who aren’t married but have lived together for at least one year.

• Conjugal partners: Couples who are in marriage-like relationships who are not able to live together because of exceptional circumstances.

2. Personal Documents

As the principal applicant, you have to submit a valid passport, birth certificate, and other documents that verify your identity. 

3. Medical Exams and Police Clearance

One of the most important things for the principal applicant is to take a medical examination and offer police clearance certificates – from all the countries you have lived in for a minimum of six months or more since the age of 18.

4. Carefully Fill out the Application Forms 

Provide complete and correct details on all the application forms to avoid further delays or even rejections.

5. Meet Eligibility Criteria

As the principal applicant, you are required to meet the eligibility requirements like not being inadmissible to Canada for reasons like security risks, criminal history, or other. 

6. Connecting with immigration officials 

You need to be in touch with the immigration officials in Canada, provide any additional information they might ask, or attend interviews.

Sponsor’s role and responsibilities

The sponsor is a citizen or permanent resident in Canada, sponsoring their foreign spouse or partner in India to come to Canada.

Eligibility requirements

• The sponsor’s age must be at least 18.

• They must be a citizen or permanent resident in Canada.

• They must fulfil the minimum income requirements to prove they can support their partner financially. 

• They must submit a Canada spouse visa application, making sure all the required documentation and fees are included.

Documents to prove your relationship is real

You need to submit documents that prove your relationship is genuine. The types of documents may vary if married or common-law relationship.

Documents required for spouses 

Couples who married must provide the following documents with their Canada spousal sponsorship application: 

• A Relationship Information and Sponsorship Evaluation Questionnaire (IMM 5532)

• Marriage certificate 

• Registered marriage proof with a government authority

• If either of you were previously married, then submit proof of divorce

• If both of you have kids in common, submit long-form birth certificates or adoption papers listing the names of both of you

• Wedding invitations and photographs

Documents required for common-law partners

If you are in this situation, submit the same documents as married couples – minus the wedding pictures and invitations: 

• Evidence of financial support between the principal applicant and sponsor, and/or shared expenses.

• Evidence that your relationship is disclosed to friends and family. 

If you are married or in a common-law relationship have to provide two of the following set of documents:

• Evidence of residential property you two bought together.

• The rental agreement refers to both of you as inhabitants of a rental property.

• Proof of joint utility accounts like electricity, gas, telephone, or internet bills, joint credit card accounts, or joint bank accounts.

• Vehicle insurance mentions that both the principal applicant & the sponsor have been acknowledged to the insurance company as residents of the insured’s address.

• Documents’ copies allotted by the government for the principal applicant and sponsor showing the same address as a driver’s license.

• Other documents specified to the principal applicant and sponsor stating a similar address, whether the accounts are held together or not. 

If you fail to provide these, submit a detailed written explanation.

Once your Canada spousal sponsorship application is approved, your spouse or common-law partner in India can immigrate to Canada as a permanent resident. Once they are a PR, they also have the option to apply for a Canada dependent visa for spouse work permit, among other Canada permanent residence benefits.

Good Luck!