IRCC processing more spousal sponsorship applications

New data by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada [IRCC] reveals that the number of spousal sponsorship applications finalized almost doubled in September 2020 when compared with July this year.

In September 2020, IRCC granted approval to 3,735 spousal sponsorship applications. Of these, while 1,882 applications approved had been from in-land applicants, another 1,853 approvals were for those applying from overseas.

When taken alongside applications that had been refused or withdrawn, the total number of spousal sponsorship applications processed by IRCC in September 2020 comes to 4,003. The total spousal sponsorship applications processed in July 2020, was 1,947. 

Previously, in August 2020, on the other hand, IRCC had approved a total of 3,271 – in-land: 1,725 and overseas: 1,546 – spousal sponsorship applications.

In July this year, a total of 1,759 spousal sponsorship applications were approved in total. While 1,067 approvals were for in-land applications, another 691 approvals were for overseas applications.

As per a News Release dated September 24, 2020, IRCC has announced action for speeding up “spousal application processing” in an attempt at helping “families build their lives together in Canada”.

The number of decision makers on spousal applications have been increased by 65%.

According to IRCC, “With these initiatives, IRCC aims to accelerate, prioritize and finalize approximately 6,000 spousal applications each month from October until December 2020. Combined with processing to date, this rate will lead to about 49,000 decisions by the end of this year.”

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Canada had aimed at welcoming 70,000 new immigrants in 2020 through the Spouses, Partners and Children category.

Announced on October 30, 2020, the 2021-2023 Immigration Levels Plan, on the other hand, has set the target at around 80,000 a year.

Basic step-wise process for sponsoring a partner or spouse

STEP 1: Getting the application package from IRCC

STEP 2: Paying the application fees

STEP 3: Submitting the application

STEP 4: Sending in additional information during processing, if required

Do keep in mind that sponsoring someone – a spouse/partner or child – involves 2 separate applications that must be submitted together and at the same time. These are [1] the sponsorship application, and [2] the permanent residence application for the person being sponsored.

Eligibility for sponsoring

Permanent residents and citizens of Canada are eligible for sponsoring their spouse, conjugal partner, or common-law partner.

On agreeing to become a sponsor, the individual would be required to sign an undertaking that they would be providing financial support for fulfilling the basic needs of their spouse or partner and dependent children.

Generally, the length of undertaking is that of 3 years from the day of the person being sponsored becoming a Canadian permanent resident.

To be able to sponsor someone, the sponsor must be –

Minimum 18 years of age A citizen or permanent resident of Canada Living in Canada Able to prove that the sponsor is not receiving any social assistance [except for disability]

A permanent resident of Canada that is not living in Canada cannot sponsor anyone.

A citizen of Canada living outside the country will be required to prove that they plan on living within Canada at the time of their sponsored individual becoming a Canadian permanent residence.

In most of the cases, there is no low income cut-off [LICO] for sponsoring a spouse/partner or dependent child.

If you are looking to Study, Work, Visit, Invest or Migrate Overseas, talk to Y-Axis, the World’s No. 1 Immigration & Visa Company.

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