Questions regarding spousal sponsorship (Age limit)? Any help would be highly appreciated!

[yellowking1998]

I have seen online there is an age limit of 18 years of age for a Canadian citizen to be able to sponsor their spouse through the family sponsorship scheme. I did not understand this law as the law for marriage was only 16 in British Columbia (Where we got married December 2018).

my situation:
My spouse is 16 (17 in a few months) and does not want to move away from Canada and her parents (Canadian born). I am currently 20 years of age (British citizen) and we really want to live together in Canada. We have everything in place to support our living (accommodation, living costs etc.)

My question:
- Are there any extenuating circumstances for this age limit? (if we can prove that we have everything in place to be able to provide for ourselves and have a place to live)
- Is there any other way we could be together in Canada? (I would want to work part-time for some extra income)

Alternatively:
I could always sponsor her for British citizenship but as she is still young she would like to live with her parents at least a few more years.

Thanks any help would be highly appreciated,

 

[AlgCad0218]

You could try a work-holiday visa as you’re under 35.

 

[shalenabennie]

No there are no special circumstances You must be 18 to sponsor. A part of the sponsorship application requires the sponsor the sign an undertaking (an agreement between them and the government). It's the same as a contract. You must be 18 to sign a legally binding contract.

 

[yellowking1998]

You could try a work-holiday visa as you’re under 35.

I was thinking of applying for the IEC Working Holiday Open Visa. However, I was worried that this could possibly negatively impact my visa later on when my spouse turns 18 and applies for a spousal visa for me. Or would this not affect that application which would be made in around 2 years time?

thanks for the advice,

 

[yellowking1998]

No there are no special circumstances You must be 18 to sponsor. A part of the sponsorship application requires the sponsor the sign an undertaking (an agreement between them and the government). It's the same as a contract. You must be 18 to sign a legally binding contract.

I understand, thank you for the clarification. I guess I will try for another visa until she turns 18 and we can apply for a spousal visa

 

[AlgCad0218]

I was thinking of applying for the IEC Working Holiday Open Visa. However, I was worried that this could possibly negatively impact my visa later on when my spouse turns 18 and applies for a spousal visa for me. Or would this not affect that application which would be made in around 2 years time?

thanks for the advice,

I am not a specialist, but I don’t think it would affect future sponsorships. To the contrary, you would be living with your wife which would be working in your favour when they’ll be assessing your marriage validity.

However, you might have a hard time getting the visa because of your ties (your wife) in Canada as it’s meant to be a temporary status. I know a lot of French people extend or transform their working holiday visa into PR.

Worst comes to worst, you visit her a couple of time for the next few months. Once she’s ready to sponsor you, you come as a tourist and file for internal sponsorship with an open work permit.

 

[DollyM]

I was thinking of applying for the IEC Working Holiday Open Visa. However, I was worried that this could possibly negatively impact my visa later on when my spouse turns 18 and applies for a spousal visa for me. Or would this not affect that application which would be made in around 2 years time?

thanks for the advice,

No, it won't affect your spouse visa application at all. The IEC visa is for 2 years, so that would work out well with your application timeline.