The Spouse Scholarship program allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their common-law partner or spouse as Canada Permanent Residents. After receiving the sponsorships from their partners the visa category permits the spouse to come, live, work, and settle permanently in Canada.
In this article, the candidates will get to know the details about the Spouse Visa for Canada Students. The article has details like the eligibility criteria, how to apply for a spouse visa, rules for a spouse visa in Canada, and Canada spouse visa processing time.
This Blog Includes:
Spouse Visa Canada Student
A spouse visa for Canadian students refers to a Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP). The permit allows the common-law partner or the spouse of a full-time international student in Canada to apply for an open work permit. The permit also allows the spouse to study, live, and work in Canada for the duration of the student’s course. To qualify, the student must be enrolled in a full-time program at a designated Canadian institution in an eligible course. Only master’s and doctoral students can sponsor this visa. The visa facilitates family reunification while the student pursues their education in Canada.
Who Can Sponsor the Spouse Visa?
To Sponsor the Spouse Visa (open work permit) meet the following requirements:
- You must have a valid study permit, and must be at least 18 years of age
- You must be a citizen of Canada a permanent resident, or a a person registered in Canada as an Indian (as per the Canada Indian Act)
- Must be enrolled in a master’s or doctoral degree program, participating in an eligible program, or pursuing any eligible degree program. For example, Doctor of Medicine (MD), Doctor of Optometry (OD), Bachelor of Nursing (BN), Bachelor of Education (BEd), etc.
- You must be able to provide the basic needs for yourself, and your spouse. You must also be able to prove that you can provide basic needs for your children (if any)
Spouse Visa Eligibility for Canada
To sponsor the spouse visa, the citizen’s partner must follow certain eligibility criteria. The eligibility requirements for a spouse visa for Canadian students are mentioned below:
- Bring a valid letter of acceptance from a Designated Learning institution (that you are enrolled in)
- Transcripts from the program you are enrolled in
- Proof of Enrollment letter from your University (DLI)
- Provide proof of relationship
Study Abroad in the US: New Visa Update for International Students
Affecting Factors of Spouse Visa For Canada Student
- If the person falls under the age of 18 or was married to someone else at the time of his/her marriage to the sponsored applicant
- If they failed to provide any financial evidence to support the previous sponsorship.
- They lived separately and any one of them had been involved in a marital relationship with a third person.
- They have been admitted to Canada but not examined by the CIC.
- They have been engaged in an existing sponsorship agreement which is valid at the time of filing another application to CIC.
Student Spouse Visa Canada Processing Time
The processing time for a spouse visa in Canada differs from country to country. The processing time for applicants under the Spouse visa for Canada from India may span from 12 to 26 months.
Know how you can Study in Canada
Latest Changes For Spouse Immigration to Canada
The Liberal Government of Canada announced a few changes to family scholarship immigration programmes. Below mentioned are the changes in the spouse immigration to Canada changes:
- Quick Processing times
- A common application for all candidates inside or outside Canada
- Medical examination exemption
- Increased flexibility for spousal applications
- Simplified relationship Questionnaire
- Application status tracker to access real-time information regarding the application.
- Police certificates are required for the current country of residence and the country in which the applicant spends most of their adult life.
Step-by-Step Application Process for Canada Spouse Visa
If the applicant and their spouse intend to pursue a student visa and spousal work permit at the same time then the applicants must follow the steps for the application process below:
Step 1: Use the Online Tool
By using the online tool answer the questions asked and create a personalised document checklist. Your spouse must prepare answers to these questions
Step 2: Ensure that Your Spouse Has What They Need
To apply online, they will usually need a scanner or a camera to create electronic documents. This is essential to continue the visa applicaton process
Step 3: Read the Guide (Instructions)
The instructions guide provided at the beginning is for your spouse. Your spouse must read the same. The guide consists of step-by-step instructions on how to fill out the application form.
Step 4: Get to Know the Fees
Visa fees have to be paid. Your spouse must have the visa fees beforehand to apply. Generally, fee payment has to be made at the end of the application
Step 5:Create an Account and Fill the Application Form
After the above steps are followed, your spouse can create an account, and then sign it By following the step-by-step instructions fill out the application form. At the end of the application form they will have to pay the visa fees.
Top Colleges and Universities in Canada 2023
Documents Required for Student Spouse Visa Canada
The following are the documents required for a student spouse visa for Canada:
- Passport & travel history.
- Background documentation.
- Spouse/partner documentation including marriage certificate.
- Other proof of relationship.
- Income proof of sponsor to show adequate finances.
- Completed application & consulate fees.
Your spouse can create a personalised checklist using the online tool. This will allow them to know the exact documents requried.
FAQs
To be eligible for an open work permit you must be a partner of a person holding a student permit. Moreover, the partner must be a citizen, or a resident of Canada, and must be enrolled in an eligible couse
The processing time for a spouse visa in Canada differs from country to country. The processing time for applicants under the Spouse visa for Canada from India is 3 to 27 week.
Once the applicant has submitted their application to the foreign visa office for approval, the average processing time for the application is around 3 to 27 week.
If you are planning to study abroad in the upcoming intakes get in touch with our study abroad experts at Leverage Edu.
Relevant Reads: