Canadian Citizenship By Marriage is a process whereby the spouse of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident residing in a foreign country can become a citizen of Canada by virtue of their relationship with their interest. However, the process for obtaining this is cumbersome and the individual must meet the eligibility criteria.
Also, to become a citizen, you must pass the citizenship test where your knowledge of the country and its values will be tested. A language proficiency may also be required. This article will explore all you need to know about the lengthy process of becoming a Canadian citizen if you are married to a Citizen or permanent resident.
Canadian Citizenship By Marriage
Canadian Citizenship By Marriage allows spouses of Canadian citizens to apply for citizenship based on their marital relationship. Read on to find out all there is to know.
Can I Move to Canada if I Marry a Citizen?
Are you considering moving to Canada to reunite with your romantic partner? You can move to Canada if you are married or getting married to a Citizen or permanent resident. However, this does not guarantee that you may become a permanent resident or citizen someday.
The Canadian government has created a program, a spousal sponsorship program where Canadian citizens or permanent residents can sponsor their partners to come to Canada. Yet even with this, the partner must meet basic requirements like having a proof of a relationship with the partner in Canada, source of financial support, as well as medical and criminal report.
So long as you meet all of these requirements and have a partner willing to sponsor you, you can move to Canada and could be eligible for permanent residency. You must also note that the Canadian government greatly frowns at marriage frauds and such cases will be taken seriously if any doubts arise about the authenticity of your marriage claim. Your application will not only be denied but you would be made to face consequences according to the law.
How Long Does It Take To Get a Work Permit In Canada Through Marriage?
Marriage to a Canadian citizen or permanent resident opens your chances to being eligible to a work permit in Canada. The process and how long it would take depends on a range of factors and the circumstances involved.
On average, getting a work permit in Canada through marriage would last anywhere from a few months to a year or even longer than a year. The work permit will allow you work in Canada after you join your partner. So you would not be needing a job offer or visa sponsorship to legally work.
You can start the application process for a work visa from your country of residence or after you arrive in the country. The eligibility criteria for obtaining a spousal work permit in Canada is having legal proof of marriage to a citizen or permanent resident and passing the medical examination. This could be a marriage certificate and in some instances you may have to meet other requirements like having a clear criminal record.
However, if you do not already have a visa, a spousal work permit would not suffice. You need to first obtain a spousal visa before you can live here. Apply for a spousal visa with marriage certificate, passport, and proof of financial support from spouse.
If you have issues navigating the complex process, you may want to consider working with a an immigration consultant or immigration lawyer. Further research on the requirements may also help you gain a thorough understanding of options available in each phase of the application.
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Can you get Canadian Permanent Residency Through Marriage?
It is possible to be granted a Canadian permanent residency via marriage. This is possible because the Canadian government recognizes the value of family members being together. Canadian citizens or permanent residents can sponsor their spouse through the spousal sponsorship program. This sponsorship process gives the spouse the opportunity to become a permanent resident.
The eligibility criteria for the spousal sponsorship program includes:
1. The spouse and sponsor must be at least 18 years of age and a verified citizen or permanent resident.
2. The spouse being sponsored must pass medical test checks as well as security checks.
3. The partners must be able to prove that there is a genuine relationship.
This process however, involves many steps and stages along with pretty extensive documentation. It’s not a quick thing. The first step is submitting an application for sponsorship. This will be assessed by the Canadian government and then once approval is granted, the spouse can start the process of applying to become a permanent resident.
How Long does it take to get Canadian Citizenship after Marrying a Canadian?
The process of obtaining Canadian citizenship through marriage to a Canadian citizen involves many steps and may take years to complete. This is often done after the sponsored spouse has obtained a permanent residency via the spousal sponsorship program.
To apply for Canadian citizenship, you must live in the country for at least three years (1095 days in the five years after application). Assessment criteria for approval include language test, knowledge test, and proof of physical presence in Canada for the designated period. After you have met all the requirements, the process will take another 12 to 24 months to be finalized. This is due to the time required for request processing, checks and documentation.
Also note that the requirements for residency, eligibility criteria and time taken for application processing may vary for each individual. Seeking professional help may make the process easier to navigate.
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What are the Benefits of Marrying a Canadian Citizen?
There are certain benefits a spouse of a Canadian citizen enjoys. Some of these benefits include:
Permanent Residency
When you marry a Canadian citizen, you stand the chance of becoming a permanent resident via the spousal sponsorship program. With this, you can work and live in Canada permanently and even become a citizen if you wish.
Access to Social Services
As a permanent resident in Canada, you would enjoy a range of social services like education, health care and social security programs.
Employment Opportunities
With your permanent residency status, you can work in Canada without the need for a work permit. And before obtaining permanent residency status, you could be eligible for some employment programs.
Conclusion on: Canadian Citizenship By Marriage
There are many benefits in being married to a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. This relationship status is a common route to obtaining a Canadian citizenship. However, each stage from obtaining a work permit to permanent residency takes time and involves lots of steps. You would need to be patient and do all that is required of you during the application process.
