What exactly is "Eligibility"?

[keyboat1]

Hi everyone,



I’m hoping someone can help clarify the steps in the spousal/common-law sponsorship process, especially the meaning of “eligibility.”



For context, I'm being sponsored by my partner inland (common-law) from BC. Here’s our timeline so far:



App sent: Feb 4, 2025



AOR: Feb 27, 2025



BIL + pre-arrival letter: June 9, 2025



BIL done: June 10, 2025



Eligibility approval (AIP) + sponsor eligibility: June 13, 2025





We’ve now received two letters:



Principal Applicant Eligibility Approval Letter:



> “It has been determined that you meet the eligibility requirements to apply for permanent residence as a member of the spouse or common-law partner in Canada class. Please note that a final decision will not be made until all remaining requirements for becoming a permanent resident have been met. These requirements include medical, security, and background checks for you and, if applicable, all of your family members, both in Canada and abroad, even if they are not applying to join you in Canada at this time.”







Sponsor Eligibility Approval Letter:



> “You have met the requirements for eligibility as a sponsor. The Application for Permanent Residence (APR) for your relative will be processed separately and he/she will be contacted shortly.”







So…



What exactly are the “eligibility requirements” for both the sponsor and principal applicant?



Is getting eligibility approval (AIP) a good sign that the application is likely to be approved, assuming medical, criminality, and security checks are clear?



Thanks so much to anyone who can help explain the steps after eligibility. I feel like I know bits and pieces (AOR, biometrics, pre-arrival letters), but the whole process still feels a bit mysterious!



Wishing everyone the best with their own applications.

 

[Ponga]

Hi everyone,



I’m hoping someone can help clarify the steps in the spousal/common-law sponsorship process, especially the meaning of “eligibility.”



For context, I'm being sponsored by my partner inland (common-law) from BC. Here’s our timeline so far:



App sent: Feb 4, 2025



AOR: Feb 27, 2025



BIL + pre-arrival letter: June 9, 2025



BIL done: June 10, 2025



Eligibility approval (AIP) + sponsor eligibility: June 13, 2025





We’ve now received two letters:



Principal Applicant Eligibility Approval Letter:



> “It has been determined that you meet the eligibility requirements to apply for permanent residence as a member of the spouse or common-law partner in Canada class. Please note that a final decision will not be made until all remaining requirements for becoming a permanent resident have been met. These requirements include medical, security, and background checks for you and, if applicable, all of your family members, both in Canada and abroad, even if they are not applying to join you in Canada at this time.”







Sponsor Eligibility Approval Letter:



> “You have met the requirements for eligibility as a sponsor. The Application for Permanent Residence (APR) for your relative will be processed separately and he/she will be contacted shortly.”







So…



What exactly are the “eligibility requirements” for both the sponsor and principal applicant?



Is getting eligibility approval (AIP) a good sign that the application is likely to be approved, assuming medical, criminality, and security checks are clear?



Thanks so much to anyone who can help explain the steps after eligibility. I feel like I know bits and pieces (AOR, biometrics, pre-arrival letters), but the whole process still feels a bit mysterious!



Wishing everyone the best with their own applications.

The applicant becomes eligible (to have applied for spousal sponsorship) once the sponsor has been approved. Without an approved sponsor, the applicant would not be eligible for sponsorship...obviously.

Reaching the all important AIP stage for the applicant is very good indeed. It usually means that the relationship with the sponsor has been successfully presented in the application and the background/security checks will make sure that the applicant is admissible to Canada.

 

[keyboat1]

The applicant becomes eligible (to have applied for spousal sponsorship) once the sponsor has been approved. Without an approved sponsor, the applicant would not be eligible for sponsorship...obviously.

Reaching the all important AIP stage for the applicant is very good indeed. It usually means that the relationship with the sponsor has been successfully presented in the application and the background/security checks will make sure that the applicant is admissible to Canada.

Thanks so much, Ponga! That helps, but I’m still not clear on exactly what the eligibility requirements are for both sponsor and principal applicant.

For example:

Sponsor eligibility – Is it mainly proving income? Or something else?
Principal applicant eligibility – Is it just proving the relationship is genuine? Or are there other requirements at this stage?

Basically, I’d love a list or summary of what IRCC checks to decide someone is “eligible.”

I understand that after eligibility, they still check medical, criminality, and security—but what do they look at before that to decide eligibility?

Thanks again for your help!