When submitting your application to sponsor your spouse or Common Law Partner abroad, you will need to compile a strong case that is founded on meeting the basic requirements while demonstrating this to the officer by providing relevant supporting documentation. However, there are other documents you can and should submit, aside from what Citizenship and Immigration Canada prescribes, to increase the chances for your success. Remember, Citizenship and Immigration Canada outlines the bare minimum requirements for your application to be processed, not a list of documents that guarantee you approval. There are never any guarantees with any applications as officers will use their discretion on a case per case basis.

Forms You Need

The forms you will need can be found on the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website, be careful to complete the forms that are applicable to you; some may not be. We recommend you gather the appropriate forms and read through them prior to completing them. The reason for this is threefold:

1. Citizenship and Immigration Canada updates the forms on a regular basis and without notice. Leave your forms to the end to be certain you have the most recent forms when you apply.
2. This will give you a sense of what to expect when compiling your documentation. Your documentation should reflect the information provided in your forms.
3. Finally, you will need your documents to cross reference as you complete the forms to ensure the accuracy of the information.

Forms You Need For Your Sponsorship:

• Application to Sponsor, Sponsorship Agreement and Undertaking – IMM 1344
• Sponsorship Evaluation – IMM 5481 or Financial Evaluation – IMM 1283
• Sponsor Questionaire – IMM 5540
• Generic Application Form for Canada – IMM 0008
• Additional Dependants/Declaration – IMM 0008 DEP (if applicable)
• Schedule A: Background Declaration – IMM 5669
• Spouse/Partner Questionnaire – IMM 5490
• Additional Family Information – IMM 5406
• The Forms to complete for a common law sponsorship are:
• Application to Sponsor, Sponsorship Agreement and Undertaking – IMM 1344 Sponsorship Evaluation – IMM 5481 or Financial Evaluation – IMM 1283
• Statutory Declaration of Common-law Union – IMM 5409
• Sponsor Questionaire – IMM 5540
• Generic Application Form for Canada – IMM 0008
• Additional Dependants/Declaration – IMM 0008 DEP (if applicable)
• Schedule A: Background Declaration – IMM 5669
• Spouse/Partner Questionnaire – IMM 5490
• Additional Family Information – IMM 5406
• The applications for a conjugal sponsorship are:
• Application to Sponsor, Sponsorship Agreement and Undertaking – IMM 1344
• Sponsorship Evaluation – IMM 5481 or Financial Evaluation – IMM 1283
• Sponsor Questionaire – IMM 5540
• Generic Application Form for Canada – IMM 0008
• Additional Dependants/Declaration – IMM 0008 DEP (if applicable)
• Schedule A: Background Declaration – IMM 5669
• Spouse/Partner Questionnaire – IMM 5490
• Additional Family Information – IMM 5406

You will notice that the forms are almost identical, if not entirely so. How you complete the forms will determine your success. Take the time to complete them properly while keeping your documents in mind. This task can be a complex one, depending on your situation. These forms can be confusing at times.