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Spousal sponsorship (➨page) is a major pathway for bringing together loved ones because Canada’s immigration policy focuses on family reunification. However, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has stringent measures to ensure that relationships are not fake and aimed at fraudulent immigration.
Relationships of Convenience
Sometimes, sponsors and foreign applicants get into what is termed by the IRCC as a “relationship of convenience.” The main objective of this kind of union, commonly referred to as conjugal relationship, marriage or common-law partnership, is to help the foreign national gain Canadian residence. Thorough document examination process and interviews with both partners are used by IRCC officers to detect such fraudulent affiliations.
Canadian citizens or permanent residents involved in such fraudulent relationships risk criminal charges, highlighting the seriousness of these offenses.
Marriage fraud occurs when an individual marries someone as a way of getting Canadian permanent residency. Both the sponsor and foreigner could face severe consequences if discovered. IRCC warns sponsors to be wary, particularly if:
- Their partner is someone they have only recently met.
- The partner is eager to marry quickly.
- The partner has married multiple times or had common-law partnerships with different people in the past.
- They find their partner does not disclose any information about background or ever mention them.
Such red flags can indicate potential fraud; thus, sponsors should consider their decision before making it final on sponsoring.