As PL Immigration observes the evolving trends in family reunification streams, a significant upturn has been documented for May, with a noteworthy 10.7% increase in spousal and common-law partner immigration compared to April, according to the recent data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
April’s figures were initially promising, showcasing a total of 6,025 spouses and partners securing permanent residency status through the Spous Sponsorship program, marking a rise from the 5,445 newcomers in April. This surge in May was even more prominent following the 12.6% boost in April, after overcoming a 12.8% decrease in March.
Accumulatively, by May’s end, there were 29,445 new permanent residents who had been united with their families under the Spousal Sponsorship initiative. Despite this growth, these numbers were still trailing behind the previous year by 21.6%, given the 37,550 individuals who achieved permanent residency during the same January-May period in the year.
Projections suggest that if the current momentum sustains, approximately 70,668 individuals could potentially immigrate to Canada by the year’s conclusion through spousal sponsorship, which is a slight 6.1% dip from the 75,260 recorded last year.
Ontario, as Canada’s most populous province, continued to lead in spousal sponsorship arrivals with 14,855 partners settling in the province within the first five months of the current year. Meanwhile, other regions welcomed new residents as follows:
– Newfoundland and Labrador: 65
– Prince Edward Island: 75
– Nova Scotia: 370
– New Brunswick: 260
– Quebec: 3,275
– Manitoba: 830
– Saskatchewan: 485
– Alberta: 3,860
– British Columbia: 4,695
– Yukon: 30
– Northwest Territories: 30
– Nunavut: 15
The highest proportional climb was in Newfoundland and Labrador, where there was an extraordinary 200% leap in arrivals for May based on April’s small figures. A noteworthy 92.3% upturn was seen in Saskatchewan, and British Columbia experienced a 63.6% surge in spousal sponsorship immigration.
Interestingly, despite welcoming the bulk of immigration through spousal sponsorship, Ontario noted a 15.9% decline in its month-over-month numbers for May.
Overall, marriage and partnership sponsorship generally do not necessitate an income threshold for eligibility. Sponsors are only mandated to meet certain financial stipulations when they are providing for a spouse or partner with a dependent child who, in turn, has dependent children of their own.
Sponsorship Responsibilities for Spousal Immigration
When a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident embarks the journey of spousal or common-law partner sponsorship through PL Immigration, they become bound by a contractual pledge. This undertaking requires the sponsor to provide for their partner’s fundamental requirements, ensuring access to necessities including:
- Adequate sustenance, garments, and accommodation
- Essential day-to-day provisions
- Necessary non-insured medical assistance, such as dental and optical care
It is crucial to recognize that this undertaking stands irrevocable under numerous circumstances:
– Attainment of Canadian citizenship by the sponsored party
– Occurrences of divorce, separation, or dissolution of the relationship
– Geographical relocations by either party to different provinces or nations
– Financial hardships faced by the sponsor
At PL Immigration, we understand that the financial stability of the sponsor is critical. Recognizing this, certain types of income are counted towards the minimum necessary to sponsor a spouse or common-law partner. Notably, maternity, parental, and sickness benefits obtained through the Employment Insurance Act are considered as income for sponsorship purposes. However, it’s important to note that federal government payments like employment insurance and training allowances are excluded from this income calculation.
Current and prospective clients of PL Immigration can find up-to-date information on processing times for various immigration applications on our website. For those sponsoring a spouse or common-law partner currently abroad and intending to settle outside Quebec, processing times have seen significant improvement — currently standing at approximately 10 months, a notable decline from the 20-month duration in 2022.
This updated processing timeframe encompasses:
– The window for providing biometric data
– The thorough evaluation of both the sponsor and the individual being sponsored
– The period required for immigration authorities to verify full compliance with the sponsorship eligibility criteria
PL Immigration is committed to providing its clients with reliable, expert guidance through the complexities of spousal sponsorship, ensuring a smooth and responsible immigration process.
