I’m getting married soon, and I want to sponsor my fiance. He currently has a work permit. I have a PR, and am in the process of applying for citizenship.
Does me applying for citizenship affect the sponsorship? Does he also have to go back to his home country for a year if I do sponsor him? Can I assume his last name right away or should I wait until I’m a citizen to do that?
You should post in the family sponsorship sub-forum and read posts in there:
https://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/forums/family-class-sponsorship.5/
-You applying for citizenship doesn't affect anything.
-In most cases spouse can stay if they extend or change their status to visitor. And apply for open work permit.
-Note that staying in Canada legally etc doesn't automatically mean he has a document for re-entry (i.e. that will let him board a plane).
-Despite him being 'in Canada' and eligible to apply for in-Canada sponsorship (referred to as 'inland') it can often make sense to apply 'outland' (eg if he expects to need to travel outside Canada much).
In general it's important for the applicant to not fall out of status and important to be careful depending on expriry of work authorization, etc - particularly if it's important to be able to continue working. (It's not always possible). And that whole part of the topic can be confusing. But basically: apply as soon as feasible after getting married and stay in status, etc.
Also, assume you are/will be living together.
Citizenship/change of name: you don't say when you plan to do this. Long story short, it does not matter that much BUT my suggestion is to pick a lane and either submit citizenship app after changing name (see what docs required); OR, accept the citizenship certificate will (or might) come in maiden name.
The latter of which is not a big deal at all, you apply for Canadian passport with marriage certificate as evidence of change of name, you get the passport in that name, and no-one ever asks to see citizenship certificate again (or hardly ever). You can change the citizenship certificate later if you like, or not - again, passport will be proof of citizenship for everything (or certificate + marriage certificate as evidence of change of name).
If it's extremely important to you that married name be on citizenship certificate, though - make sure to have everything you need to meet standards for the citizenship app.
