Introduction
Despite maintaining a stable level for two months, spousal sponsorship program arrivals in Canada experienced a 22.7% decline in August compared to the previous month. According to the latest data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the number of new permanent residents in the country under spousal sponsorship fell from 6,230 to 4,815.
From January to August, Canada welcomed 54,835 new permanent residents. The number of people in this migration program increased by 19.3% from 45,955 in the same period in 2022. According to this data, Canada is expected to add 82,252 new permanent residence permits from spousal support by the end of this year. last year’s 64,140.
The projected number aligns closely with Ottawa’s target for spousal sponsorship set for this year under the Immigration Levels Plan 2023–2025. With an upper limit of 84,000 new permanent residents through programs designed to sponsor spouses, partners, and children, the target for this specific category stands at 78,000 for the year.
Ontario, as Canada’s most populous province, recorded the highest number of spousal sponsorship with 28,810 arrivals in the first eight months of this year. British Columbia followed as the second-largest attractor with 9,365 spousal sponsorship.
The distribution across other provinces and territories was as follows:
- – Newfoundland and Labrador: 135
- – Prince Edward Island: 95
- – Nova Scotia: 645
- – New Brunswick: 380
- – Quebec: 5,735
- – Manitoba: 1,490
- – Saskatchewan: 950
- – Alberta: 7,125
- – Yukon: 60
- – Northwest Territories: 35
- – Nunavut: 10
When a Canadian citizen or permanent resident sponsors a spouse or common-law partner for immigration, they must sign an agreement committing to giving financial support for the sponsored individual’s essential needs. This includes food, clothing, shelter, and day by day necessities, alongside dental care, eye care, and healthcare not secured by public services. The agreement remains binding regardless of citizenship status changes, relationship dissolution, relocation, or financial hardship experienced by the sponsor or the sponsored spouse.
Is EI Payment Considered as Income for the Sponsor of a Spouse?
In Canada, various benefits under the Employment Insurance Act, such as maternity, parental, and sickness benefits, are considered income for individuals looking to sponsor a spouse or common-law partner. However, other government payments like employment insurance and federal training allowances are not regarded as income in this context.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) offers estimates for processing times for diverse types of applications on their site, including those concerning spousal sponsorship. According to the site, the current handling time for sponsorship applications including spouses or common-law accomplices living outside of Canada and Quebec has been reduced to 13 months—showing noteworthy change from last year’s 20-month processing time.
This estimated processing time encompasses various stages such as biometric data provision, assessment of both the sponsor and the person being sponsored, as well as immigration officials reviewing and ensuring that both parties meet the necessary eligibility requirements.
Conclusion
The recent decline in the spousal insurance rate in Canada may only be a temporary blip, as this year’s overall trend has increased over last year. This demonstrates Canada’s commitment to supporting family reunification as Canada moves towards achieving spousal support targets under the Immigration Program. As potential sponsors go through the process of bringing their spouse or partner to Canada, it is important to understand and be knowledgeable about financial responsibilities. Clarify working hours and rules. Although it is unclear whether this decline will continue or worsen, spousal support remains an important part of Canada’s immigration system.
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Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only, exclusively written and published by IntraSource. The published information is sourced from various trusted platforms, such as news agencies and online media, mainly the Government of Canada and Canadian online media/websites, and should not be considered as legal or professional advice. IRCC’s requirements may change, so consult a lawyer/s and receive professional advice before making decisions or applications.
