Canadian citizen sponsoring spouse on study permit — advice on first steps, proof, and whether to hire a lawyer?

[Shoaibib]

Hi everyone,

I’m a Canadian citizen and my wife is currently in Canada on a study permit. We have been together for around 6 months, and now we are going to legally register our marriage in Canada within the next week. After that, we plan to start the sponsorship application process.

I wanted to ask people who have gone through a similar situation:

- What should be the first step after legal marriage registration?
- Which applications should we submit first?
- Should we apply for inland sponsorship and open work permit together?
- What kind of relationship proof/documents are most important?
- Since our legal marriage will be recent, what additional proof helps show the relationship is genuine?
- What documents did you submit for:
- cohabitation proof,
- chats/calls/photos,
- finances,
- support letters, etc.?
- Is it worth hiring an immigration lawyer for this process, or is it manageable to do everything ourselves?
- Any common mistakes we should avoid?

We are trying to prepare everything properly before submitting the PR sponsorship application.

Would really appreciate advice from anyone who went through this process recently. Thanks!

 

[armoured]

- Is it worth hiring an immigration lawyer for this process, or is it manageable to do everything ourselves?
- Any common mistakes we should avoid?

We are trying to prepare everything properly before submitting the PR sponsorship application.

Would really appreciate advice from anyone who went through this process recently. Thanks!

There is a wealth of information in all of the threads here. Download the application forms, read through them and the instructions, start to fill them out. Do it iteratively - don't worry if you don't get the details first. Make a list fo stuff you need, and questions.

Then come back here and look for threads and topics related and read. Ask questions if you don't see answers - but read what others have written and use your judgment about how it applies to your situation first.

Try to ask one or two questions at a time - no-one is going to write you a twenty page instruction booklet for all of your questions. (Hint: that's what The Instructions are intended for)

Most people don't need lawyers, it's mostly organization. If you do decide later to hire a lawyer - your organization in advance will facilitate.

 

[canuck78]

Hi everyone,

I’m a Canadian citizen and my wife is currently in Canada on a study permit. We have been together for around 6 months, and now we are going to legally register our marriage in Canada within the next week. After that, we plan to start the sponsorship application process.

I wanted to ask people who have gone through a similar situation:

- What should be the first step after legal marriage registration?
- Which applications should we submit first?
- Should we apply for inland sponsorship and open work permit together?
- What kind of relationship proof/documents are most important?
- Since our legal marriage will be recent, what additional proof helps show the relationship is genuine?
- What documents did you submit for:
- cohabitation proof,
- chats/calls/photos,
- finances,
- support letters, etc.?
- Is it worth hiring an immigration lawyer for this process, or is it manageable to do everything ourselves?
- Any common mistakes we should avoid?

We are trying to prepare everything properly before submitting the PR sponsorship application.

Would really appreciate advice from anyone who went through this process recently. Thanks!

Has your spouse been studying full-time during her time in Canada and after marriage?

 

[Charlamanderxxxx]

Hello! From my experience...

Hi everyone,

I’m a Canadian citizen and my wife is currently in Canada on a study permit. We have been together for around 6 months, and now we are going to legally register our marriage in Canada within the next week. After that, we plan to start the sponsorship application process.

I wanted to ask people who have gone through a similar situation:

- What should be the first step after legal marriage registration? - Order the official marriage certificate from the province (it could take months)
- Which applications should we submit first? - Not sure what you meant
- Should we apply for inland sponsorship and open work permit together? - You can apply for the open work permit after you receive the AOR from the Inland application.
- What kind of relationship proof/documents are most important? - Check IMM 5533
- Since our legal marriage will be recent, what additional proof helps show the relationship is genuine? - Still follow IMM 5533
- What documents did you submit for- It varies by couple depending on what proof you have. Just stick to the official IMM 5533 checklist. As long as you provide everything they ask for, you'll be fine

- Is it worth hiring an immigration lawyer for this process, or is it manageable to do everything ourselves? - Not really, you can do it yourself if your case is straightforward (no criminal record or complex issues)
- Any common mistakes we should avoid? - Do not leave any gaps in the personal or address history Make sure you have all the signatures in the required forms.

We are trying to prepare everything properly before submitting the PR sponsorship application.

Would really appreciate advice from anyone who went through this process recently. Thanks!